Gina my dear friend,
I was absolutely horrified at the story you told. When I flew to Portland
Maine a couple of months ago, I had a pleasant trip both ways. The wheel
chairs were where they should be, the attendants were more than friendly -
going out of their way to get me something to eat, - and outdoing each other
in being nice. I guess it is just a matter of luck.  But I'm really sorry that
you should have had to experience such a nightmare. I hope you have recovered.
  And i hope the airline compensates you in some small measure at least.  And
i hope you got the name and address of those people who helped you - and if
you write to thank them, tell them thanks from me too. This world needs more
people like that.
hilary

Gina Cass wrote:
>
> TO:  My fellow PD's (maybe not in spirit but in disease)
>
> I need to tell you this tale for me to get it out, not necessarily to have
> you respond or even understand.
> I was invited to New Hampshire by friends for a rest of 2 yrs of changes,
> flight from Elkhart, Indiana  to Manchester, New Hampshire was uneventful.  I
> stayed for a week and headed back to Indiana on Friday, June 10 flying a well
> known Airline that I will name after I talk to the CEO, on their position.
> My first flight out of Manchester was late, making me miss my connection in
> Newark, NJ.  They had advance notice that I needed a wheelchair to get to the
> next gate on the other side of the airport which was not there.  It seemed to
> be a hinderance to get one and the person pushing was having a conversation
> with someone I could not see.  They were discussing a picture of a fire and
> if this person had taken the photo.
> Like I stated I missed my connection in Newark to Cleveland.  The next flight
> to Cleveland was the one I was booked on this one was delayed due to a light
> that would not light.  Yes the thing that it was attached to had to work and
> was but we needed that light, I understand.  I started flying at 10:05AM EDT.
> from New Hampshire.  I asked at each leg of this adventure to preboard due to
> using a cane.
> Was told that was fine but had to remind them each time.  One time they
> completely forgot and I had to battle the crowd, which don't care if you walk
> or not.
> They no longer have meals on the flights so I was having a problem finding
> things to eat.  Need to eat after some of the meds.  O'hare I found best to
> get a light something to eat OH that is later.
> I finally got to Cleveland, OHIO.  I kept telling my hosts I did not want to
> go to Cleveland.  Over and over was my lament.  But Cleveland is a hub city
> of this particular Airline.  I orginally started with a 4 hr layover in
> Cleveland but due to missed flights, hobbling to gates etc, I had about 1 hr.
> This was a trek from Concourse C to B opposite sides of the airport (Why are
> they so far apart?) I had not been able to take my meds, I was hot, tired and
> upset.  But I had done so well this whole week.  I was right "on".  While
> standing in line at the check-in I found out my flight from Cleveland had
> been delayed.  Twenty minutes later the flight was cancelled.  Due to
> weather.  I looked around and not a cloud or problem appeared.  I felt it
> coming, but I could not stop any of it.  Standing in line, I mentally went
> away.  A wonderful young woman, her husband and daughter together asked if I
> was OK.  She took a hold of my arm, took me out of line, set me down, and
> asked if I was diabetic (I could only nod), I couldn't get out the fact I had
> Parkinson's.  My Tremors had gone crazy.  I was shaking so violently that it
> was hard to hold my ticket.  They gave me juice, candy and something in a
> tube called glucose.  Told me they first thought I was drunk or needed a
> drink and then realized that something else was wrong due to the color of my
> skin, plus the fact of the cold, clammy touch.  The Airline representative
> commented that she was going to get to me next.  TOO LATE
> An ambulance was called, Perimedics put me in ambulance, and took me to a
> hospital due to the fact that my blood pressure was dangerously high and my
> blood sugar was so high.  They kept saying something about my heart and
> wanting to give me Nitro.  In my confused state I cannot remember what they
> said.  I will call hospital and have them tell me.
> Nice little hospital, close to airport.  Doctor was very busy, say him only
> very briefly but was hooked to D5 to lower everything.  I told them I needed
> something to eat to take meds which I was allowed to use my own was given a
> snack that was wonderful.  I was treated to a 6hr stint there with various
> nurses visiting, sitting on my bed and talking, a wife of another Emergency
> Room guest bringing her chair over to my cube and sitting with me.  I do have
> a way with some people of being there for them and putting them at ease.  Two
> ladies from the airline brought me Vouchers to go to a Hotel that night what
> was left of it, to stay the night, Taxi Vouchers, and meal vouchers.  They
> finally arrived after 3 hrs of promises that the vouchers were on there way.
> Remember the Airport is very close to the Hospital.  I was finally released
> and got a cab.  The young man was very rude to start but I just wanted to get
> to a room, take a shower and rest.  He refused to take my travel voucher due
> to the fact he picked me up at the hospital and not the airport.  So I paid
> him.  Got into Hotel and asked for my room and was told I did not have a
> room.  The real confusing part was they had my luggage.  Why did it go there
> if I had no room?  I cracked, crying, I called home to rant, when the hotel
> staff person said they had a room at the other hotel for me and a shuttle to
> take me.  I ended up 25 minutes away from the airport now and not 5 minutes,
> 1:30 AM no food (I had some trail mix luckly) and so upset I could not get
> right to sleep.  I had about 4 hrs sleep, ordered breakfast that cost $11.23
> when the voucher was for only $8.00, and I ordered just a basic no frills
> breakfast.
> Got a shuttle, just for me to the airport for the flight the Airline had put
> me on.  Which the Airport was a zoo, then I got to the check-in and again my
> flight was cancelled due to weather (South Bend nor Cleveland had a weather
> problem, I checked).  The next( 12:00)  flight was cancelled (Feeling like
> the "Out-of-Towner).  They had put me on a 1:45 PM flight on another airline
> to Chicago O'Hare now.  This flight had been schduled to leave at 12:03 now
> was leaving at 1:45 PM, I felt that this would end up like the other flights.
>  I went up to the counter, placed my ticket up there and said I am very ill
> and I need to get home now.  She looked at me and agreed so booked me on the
> 1:30 PM flight to Chicago as I wanted to travel with the couple that had been
> there for me. This flight was delayed.  We got to Chicago O'hare with no
> problems.  No Wheelchair again, they called for one but it never came.  No
> Electric Cart either and I was so scared that I would miss the next and final
> flight.  From D Concourse to B Concourse walking with my cane but I made it
> with time to spare.  Also, found a little stand and got some water, and a
> lunchable to eat to take meds.  This flight was delayed once not due to
> weather but something else.  Oh yes the flight never came.
> I finally got to South Bend, Indiana (Notre Dame Fame) with one piece of
> luggage with the other piece coming 20 minutes later.
> This is a Nightmare that wouldn't end.  I am beat physically and emotionally.
>  I lack the faith that I did have in myself.  I know many will say don't
> travel alone, but I am new at this.  I have always been fiercely independent
> and now have to confront my limitations.
> I just needed to get this out and thanks for understanding.
>
> gina