Holiday travel can often lead to some rather awkward interactions between strangers.
Earlier this week, Nyle DiMarco says he was offered a wheelchair at the airport… for being deaf.
The incident happened while DiMarco was deplaning a Delta flight on Tuesday evening. That’s when an airline employee wheeled up a wheelchair for the tall, handsome, able-bodied top model.
DiMarco tweeted about the incident shortly after it happened, writing: “Not a clear video but apparently being deaf at an airport means I need a wheelchair.”
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Not a clear video but apparently being deaf at an airport means I need a wheelchair. pic.twitter.com/fmFn1CsSv2
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) December 19, 2018
Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant issued a statement apologizing for the mishap.
“Delta apologizes for a miscommunication that resulted in this customer being offered a wheelchair upon deplaning,” he said. “We are also working with our wheelchair service provider to investigate what occurred.”
Luckily, DiMarco was able to keep a sense of humor about things. In a followup tweet, he wrote:
thisisnotreal
I’m disabled myself and only sometimes use a wheelchair but I can personally vouch for this on such a personal level. nine times outta ten companies and businesses have only one approach when it comes to how they cater to or respond to disabled people like us which leads to either ignoring us entirely or more often lumping us all into the same exact box to make it easer on themselves and to reduce the risk of lawsuit or offense. Ironically as Nyle points out and as I’ve said many times before, the outcome in those cases is that we DO end up being offended anyway and rightfully so.
jpcolter
If he had been “offended” about this complete non-issue he’d be an ass just like you. At least the company was trying to be accommodating even if in this instant they were off target. You sound like one of those people who look for things to be offended by.
thisisnotreal
Jp you have zero right to even attempt to tell a disabled person what they have the right be be offended by unless you’ve lived that life yourself so do me a favor and step off and know your place.
Chip
Well I am a disabled person. I’ve been a paraplegic for 20 years so I have the right and I agree with JP. People want to be offended about everything. I cant tell you how many times I’ve been offered help with something I didn’t need help with in public. But I smile say no thank you and go on with my day. Also you don’t have to be disabled to have an opinion on what is acceptable for them. I highly doubt everyone in the ADA is disabled.
thisisnotreal
@chip your telling me in 20 years of being disabled that not once have you ever gotten frustrated at being treated like you were fragile or more disabled than you actually were? I’m not the type of person who would ever blow up at someone for something like that cuz I’m too passive but there’s been plenty of times in my 33 years with spina bifida that I’ve gotten tired of people treating me like I’m made of eggshells or they overestimate what I can’t do. Yeah I know most people mean well when they offer their help and maybe it’s just a me thing, but sometimes it just gets to you having people always try to do things for you that you can do for yourself and when you politely decline they look at you like they don’t believe you so they keep trying. I know they didn’t mean anything bad by offering Nyle a wheelchair, but in doing so they showed their ignorance in regards to his situation and ran the risk of making him feel self conscious and worse about himself and that is what I take issue with.
Ashke113
Jpcolter – exactly how was thisisnotreal being an ass with his post on the matter. I’ve read it several times and even tried to shove my head up my ass to see it from your point of view, but alas I can’t bend like that so your view is yours alone. Maybe next time you decide to reply to someone’s post you act like you have home training……or next time you have a thought—don’t.
Chip
I take the people who think they are being kind over the people who just stare. Never one time in the 20 years have I ever once lashed out in frustration at someone who’s heart is in the right place. Sometimes I even let them even if I don’t need it cause it makes them feel good about themselves which makes their day better.
Greg
I would have given him the “strip search”.
sfhairy
I don’t think anyone really cares. Non-issue, move on.
Catholicslutbox
I’m confused as to why this is even here. It’s not like he’s OPENLY gay.
MuslimSlutBox
It’s because he’s openly HOT.
iamru2
Oh brother of all the injustices in the world this d lister had to vent over this? I bet he feels vindicated now in his smug insular little bubble.
SnakeyJ
Who cares? They made a mistake. Why does every little perceived slight need to be announced?
MacAdvisor
First, many people who do need wheelchairs do not look like they need them. Judging someone’s needs by their looks is almost as stupid as the airline incident here.
Second, one can be mobility impaired, but not generally need a wheel chair, yet be grateful for one under some circumstances. I walk with a cane, sometimes when I really tired, a walker. I don’t need a wheel chair. However, in large airports, with luggage and the crowds, I often am deeply appreciative the airlines provide me with one. When my mother was traveling and injured many years ago, the airline bringing her home was very good about helping her transfer planes and had staff members with her the whole trip.
Wicked Dickie
Poor thing, maybe he was upset because swimsuit season is over.
RIGay
I think the porter was just looking for a date!
SportGuy
I would have offered him a seat too, on my lap.
Hussain-TheCanadian
I don’t know about you all but if an airline employee came up to me and said “would you like a wheelchair?” – My response would be: “Are you pushing?” – If yes, Hell ya I want a wheelchair.
Dragyn
I use a wheelchair currently because of arthritis, and sciatica..Nyle would be kidnapped and taken to my brother, who would be elated. Id have to interpret, but Id get to gaze at that face!! He isnt my type,my wife was….And I see Mariah Carey in one? Too fat to walk, too lazy, or just plain useless? Id rather be taken by the Manson family back when.. worthless ho.
o.codone
Okay, I admit it, it was ME. I ordered the wheelchair because I was trying to wheel him back to my suite before he noticed there was something going on. Too bad he figured it out. Hahahha
Terrycloth
What do they do with someone in a wheelchair who cant walk ? Give them hearing aid and yell get up ?