'It's just heartbreaking': Swoop Airline refuses to let woman with Huntington's disease board flight
CBC
An Alberta woman living with Huntington's disease was refused her seat on a Swoop flight because of her involuntary movements and now the airline is refusing to allow her to fly unaccompanied despite being offered a doctor's note stating she is capable of travelling alone, according to her family.
The airline tells CBC News she must travel with an attendant because — from the airline's perspective — she can't fly on her own.
Angela Weeks lives in Castor, Alta., with her husband Keith and their three daughters.
Seven years ago, Angela was diagnosed with Huntington's disease, a rare, genetic neurodegenerative condition. She's been symptomatic for about a decade.
Angela was supposed to travel from one sister's home in Brandon, Man., to another's in Abbotsford, B.C. on Sunday but at the airport, airline staff refused to let her on the flight.
"She was going to get to go on a little holiday to see her family and I get kind of a break from being a caregiver," said Keith from his car after driving five hours to pick up his wife.
"Then someone does something like this. It's just heartbreaking."
This week, Keith got what he calls a "mini vacation," staying with a friend in Big River, Sask. with his three daughters.
On Sunday, he got a call from his sister-in-law.
Staff at the Swoop counter had refused to allow Angela to board the airplane. They'd expressed concern about her involuntary movements and what it would mean for other passengers.
Keith says his wife's tics all but disappear when she settles and relaxes. That's what her sister, Natalie Degerness was trying to explain to the Swoop employee.
Still, Angela was turned away.
Airline employees put a note on her file saying she had to travel with a companion and a doctor's note. Keith says there will be a time when his wife's disease will make those things necessary but for now, she's capable of flying unaccompanied.
Angela's sister also says she is fine to fly on her own. She can feed herself, get dressed, walk, and use the washroom, according to Degerness, who says even the offer of a doctor's note was refused by the airline.
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