Obese flier turned away from airlines; dies overseas

SherryR1971

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RunsOnEspresso

So, if she had made it home and died, who would they sue? Based on the article it doesn't seem she was in great health to begin with. We don't know if she would have lived regardless of boarding the plane.

For me, if I can't get home and am that sick, I would think I'd try to find medical assistance. America doesn't have the only hospitals/doctors in the world. Shocking I know.

Actually, I probably wouldn't have traveled in the first place, unless I wanted to pass there. Typically you don't go from perfectly healthy to her condition(s) in a month. Just a guess, but she was probably not well a month ago.

VelociMama

I don't believe the airline is at fault for not being able to accommodate her. Many of you forget that Europe doesn't have nearly obesity issues that we in America have become used to. Their airlines may not have been equipped to handle a passenger of her size while airlines here in America, particularly the KLM flight she took to Europe, may have been more capable in this regard.

I also agree with the comments that she should've sought medical attention if she was that ill instead of trying to fly back home immediately. Obviously, her poor health had a lot to do with her obesity and hard-headedness about getting care away from her usual medical professionals.

As a side note, I gotta say this thread has really disappointed me. There are a lot of very nasty unnecessary comments in here. I'm referring particularly to the name-calling posts not to those who have expressed their opinions in a thoughtful and adult fashion. I suppose I was stupid to think that the MFP community, one that is supposed to be welcoming of people of all sizes who want to live better, is capable of having a discussion without these pathetic name-calling tactics being used. I'll make sure to lower my expectations next time. :frown:

It's a shame that this poor woman died in such a way. If anything, it should serve as more of a wake-up call for us to continue on our own paths to better health and fitness.

half_moon

Woooooooooow.... given that this is MFP, I was expecting outrage, as is appropriate given the circumstances. If Kevin Smith had died due to not being able to get home because that airline refused him clearance to fly (and he isn't even that big), there would be a world wide uproar and a change in the procedures. That woman was a human being, with the right to live, be allowed to leave the country that allowed her clearance to enter in the first place, and see her physicians who might have been able to save her, knowing her conditions, and the airline that had NO TROUBLE taking her away from her doctors, should have returned her. Anyone saying 'there are doctors in Europe,' go watch the documentary Chernobyl Heart and watch the maternity ward footage. Hospitals are NOT the same.

All of you responding that she 'killed herself,' (given that I was once 290 pounds and have now lost over 100 pounds) I beg to ****ing differ. It is never too late to make changes, it is never too late to decide to get healthy...until an airline denies you the ability to seek medical care at home. She was not given such an opportunity to reach such a stage and that IS the airlines' fault. They hauled her *kitten* there, they should have hauled her *kitten* back. PERIOD! Law suit handled.

And seriously, I've heard there's a lot of negative, trolling and bashing on this site (which is for people JUST LIKE HER to find support), but I'd never personally encountered it. Well, open my eyes. Here it all is.

I agree !

the airline that had NO TROUBLE taking her away from her doctors, should have returned her.

SERIOUSLY. You think they "took her away" from her doctors? And although she probably gained weight while in Hungary they STILL need to accommodate, even though they used an entire fire brigade team to attempt it?? Also, when she was accommodated with ANOTHER plane, with THREE SEATS, and she couldn't get in them...

Seriously? What else do you expect them to do??

How many excuses can you make up for someone that a) should not have been traveling in the first place with such a horrible medical condition, b) should have sought another hospital, or c) - no, wait, yeah, just a) and b) is all I need.

Not saying I don't feel bad for her and the burden of grief her husband now has.

But come on. They did what they could. She woman should have never been traveling.

In the article it even says the woman drove with her husband to a different airport. How come she didn't take a pit stop at a dialysis clinic?

She didn't trust any medical professionals in the country. The airlines even went out of their way to try to provide her with competitive airlines that could help.

gr8pillock

How did she get over there in the first place? Assuming there were no problems flying over there, why such a mix up flying back?

Thinking they have a pretty good case against the airline that allowed her to fly away from home but would not fly her back--inconsistent refusal of service = discrimation on what was clearly a disability.

Bam. My point exactly.

tashjs21

being unable to accommodate her and being unwilling to accommodate her are two very different things. they tried. they tried to accommodate her. in every instance, they exhausted their options. people cannot expect the world to guarantee them what they need in exactly the way they need it at all times and in all places. it would be nice if the world worked that way, but it just isn't possible.

all airlines (and all businesses) can do is try to anticipate what their customers will need. this doesn't mean that they will be able to succeed at all times, especially when confronted with a one-in-100-million customer who falls so far out of the bell curve that she required highly specialized equipment just to get her on a plane.

the airline didn't kill this woman. her poor health did.

^This!

NormalSaneFLGuy

How did she get over there in the first place? Assuming there were no problems flying over there, why such a mix up flying back?

Thinking they have a pretty good case against the airline that allowed her to fly away from home but would not fly her back--inconsistent refusal of service = discrimation on what was clearly a disability.

Overweight isn't considered a disability for flying.
You also assume she was the same weight when she flew there.
Different planes have different equipment onboard as well.

NormalSaneFLGuy

Woooooooooow.... given that this is MFP, I was expecting outrage, as is appropriate given the circumstances. If Kevin Smith had died due to not being able to get home because that airline refused him clearance to fly (and he isn't even that big), there would be a world wide uproar and a change in the procedures. That woman was a human being, with the right to live, be allowed to leave the country that allowed her clearance to enter in the first place, and see her physicians who might have been able to save her, knowing her conditions, and the airline that had NO TROUBLE taking her away from her doctors, should have returned her. Anyone saying 'there are doctors in Europe,' go watch the documentary Chernobyl Heart and watch the maternity ward footage. Hospitals are NOT the same.

All of you responding that she 'killed herself,' (given that I was once 290 pounds and have now lost over 100 pounds) I beg to ****ing differ. It is never too late to make changes, it is never too late to decide to get healthy...until an airline denies you the ability to seek medical care at home. She was not given such an opportunity to reach such a stage and that IS the airlines' fault. They hauled her *kitten* there, they should have hauled her *kitten* back. PERIOD! Law suit handled.

And seriously, I've heard there's a lot of negative, trolling and bashing on this site (which is for people JUST LIKE HER to find support), but I'd never personally encountered it. Well, open my eyes. Here it all is.

I agree !

the airline that had NO TROUBLE taking her away from her doctors, should have returned her.

SERIOUSLY. You think they "took her away" from her doctors? And although she probably gained weight while in Hungary they STILL need to accommodate, even though they used an entire fire brigade team to attempt it?? Also, when she was accommodated with ANOTHER plane, with THREE SEATS, and she couldn't get in them...

Seriously? What else do you expect them to do??

How many excuses can you make up for someone that a) should not have been traveling in the first place with such a horrible medical condition, b) should have sought another hospital, or c) - no, wait, yeah, just a) and b) is all I need.

Not saying I don't feel bad for her and the burden of grief her husband now has.

But come on. They did what they could. She woman should have never been traveling.

In the article it even says the woman drove with her husband to a different airport. How come she didn't take a pit stop at a dialysis clinic?

She didn't trust any medical professionals in the country. The airlines even went out of their way to try to provide her with competitive airlines that could help.

Well if I have kidney failure, I'm not going to vaccation in mexico for 6 weeks and then try to return home for treatment 24 hours before I'm going to die. I also wouldn't want their medical treatment. Solution? Only vacation for 4 weeks and return home with time for treatment.

emtjmac

This lawsuit is frivolous and has no leg to stand on. The airline took reasonable measures to accomodate her but ultimately decided that she could not be safely transported conventionally. End of story.

fiveferrels

I am flying to Orlando on December 8th, I bought 2 seats for my comfort and for those around me, if I fly down there and they wont fly me back we are going to have problems.
I am flying Southwest, they do treat it as a dissability, they let you board first with 1 family member and give you a ticket for the 1/2 a vacant seat next to you.
I have lost 165 lbs so far and I am trying to lose another 150-200 but it takes time, just like it did to gain it.

00Melyanna00

Looks like a lot of people in here lost their humanity and compassion together with the fat and weight.
A person died far away from home, and you don't find this sad at all, FFS?

Zangpakto

How did she get over there in the first place? Assuming there were no problems flying over there, why such a mix up flying back?

Thinking they have a pretty good case against the airline that allowed her to fly away from home but would not fly her back--inconsistent refusal of service = discrimation on what was clearly a disability.

I'm sorry, since when does the US have jurisdiction over another countries service?

Sure, your argument might work flying within certain states etc, but different countries and continents to boot?

Each has their own local laws and services to enforce, and they are NOT required to bend over for your home countries laws.

Case in point, look at most of the arabic countries. Go there and try make your arguments and points and see how far it gets you.

UsedToBeHusky

I am flying to Orlando on December 8th, I bought 2 seats for my comfort and for those around me, if I fly down there and they wont fly me back we are going to have problems.
I am flying Southwest, they do treat it as a dissability, they let you board first with 1 family member and give you a ticket for the 1/2 a vacant seat next to you.
I have lost 165 lbs so far and I am trying to lose another 150-200 but it takes time, just like it did to gain it.

You have done an amazing job!

maab_connor

How did she get over there in the first place? Assuming there were no problems flying over there, why such a mix up flying back?

Thinking they have a pretty good case against the airline that allowed her to fly away from home but would not fly her back--inconsistent refusal of service = discrimation on what was clearly a disability.

Overweight isn't considered a disability for flying.
You also assume she was the same weight when she flew there.
Different planes have different equipment onboard as well.

kidney disease, diabetic and an amputee. THAT is what classifies her as disabled. regardless of her weight.

kiraleilani

Woooooooooow.... given that this is MFP, I was expecting outrage, as is appropriate given the circumstances. If Kevin Smith had died due to not being able to get home because that airline refused him clearance to fly (and he isn't even that big), there would be a world wide uproar and a change in the procedures. That woman was a human being, with the right to live, be allowed to leave the country that allowed her clearance to enter in the first place, and see her physicians who might have been able to save her, knowing her conditions, and the airline that had NO TROUBLE taking her away from her doctors, should have returned her. Anyone saying 'there are doctors in Europe,' go watch the documentary Chernobyl Heart and watch the maternity ward footage. Hospitals are NOT the same.

All of you responding that she 'killed herself,' (given that I was once 290 pounds and have now lost over 100 pounds) I beg to ****ing differ. It is never too late to make changes, it is never too late to decide to get healthy...until an airline denies you the ability to seek medical care at home. She was not given such an opportunity to reach such a stage and that IS the airlines' fault. They hauled her *kitten* there, they should have hauled her *kitten* back. PERIOD! Law suit handled.

And seriously, I've heard there's a lot of negative, trolling and bashing on this site (which is for people JUST LIKE HER to find support), but I'd never personally encountered it. Well, open my eyes. Here it all is.

I'm sorry (actually no I'm not) but this is completely ignorant. One documentary showing one bad maternity ward does is not proof that Europe doesn't have standard medical care. Are you serious????? She was in an area that COULD and WOULD have provided her medical care. SHE REFUSED because she wanted to see her own doctors in America.

And congratulations on your weight loss, but just because you did it does NOT mean "everyone can make a choice" to change and "it's never too late." As a nurse I have worked with many patients in her condition... do you really think as an incredibly sick amputee with comorbidities she could just create an MFP account and turn her life around?!?!?! Absolutely not!!! She would need strict medical attention and serious help to start a diet, let alone exercising. You have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what you are talking about here.

And just because one airline had a seat and extender for her, does NOT mean that ALL PLANES are equipped to deal with morbidly obese patients on death's door. The airlines owe her absolutely nothing... it's not like the airlines kidnapped her overseas! She chose to fly in the first place. No one is responsible for getting her home but herself.

Danny_Boy13

I mean if her health was in such bad shape and since the airline could not get her home then.... I KNOW!!!! Lets have the airlines fly her doctors to her on the airlines dime... Makes sense, right???

mindygood

I am appauled at the lack of sympathy... a women lost her life. In my opinion 56 isn't old either..... lots of life left. No matter who is or was to blame she lost her life to obesity... what many of us on here have or are facing. This is sad that she didn't find the help she needed to fight her illness and win. I hope each of you find the help to bet obesity and make a difference in your lives and don't ever have be put in a position where you are face with death due to your size. Truely a sad story!!! :brokenheart:

NormalSaneFLGuy

How did she get over there in the first place? Assuming there were no problems flying over there, why such a mix up flying back?

Thinking they have a pretty good case against the airline that allowed her to fly away from home but would not fly her back--inconsistent refusal of service = discrimation on what was clearly a disability.

Overweight isn't considered a disability for flying.
You also assume she was the same weight when she flew there.
Different planes have different equipment onboard as well.

kidney disease, diabetic and an amputee. THAT is what classifies her as disabled. regardless of her weight.

Diabetes is a disability???

Anyways, even if you have every disability in the book, they can prevent you from flying if they feel you are a safety risk to the others. A 425lb person not secured in a plane = safety risk.

emtjmac

Looks like a lot of people in here lost their humanity and compassion together with the fat and weight.
A person died far away from home, and you don't find this sad at all, FFS?

It goes without saying that this is a sad circumstance. It doesn't mean that everyone needs to open their post with condolences and stating of the obvious.

NormalSaneFLGuy

I am appauled at the lack of sympathy... a women lost her life. In my opinion 56 isn't old either..... lots of life left. No matter who is or was to blame she lost her life to obesity... what many of us on here have or are facing. This is sad that she didn't find the help she needed to fight her illness and win. I hope each of you find the help to bet obesity and make a difference in your lives and don't ever have be put in a position where you are face with death due to your size. Truely a sad story!!! :brokenheart:

We're not judging obesity. We're judging the logic in suing a company for your own bad decisions.

Edit: I'm fat, but I am not filing a lawsuit against Reese's for making their peanut butter cups too delicious.