By Chris Spargo For Dailymail.com
Published: 00:16 GMT, 23 February 2019 | Updated: 00:16 GMT, 23 February 2019
View
comments
One of the country's most respected, and youngest, advocates for disabled Americans is speaking out about what describes as a 'horrifying and belittling' incident during a recent trip.
It all happened when Amberley Snyder, 28, was flying out of Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita on February 16, heading to Denver on a United flight.
Snyder was in her wheelchair at time, having lost the use of both legs in 2010 following a near-fatal crash.
She arrived at the airport and made it through security without issue she says, and then made her way to the gate to board her flight.
That is when she claims a United worker refused to allow her to board the plane unassisted, informing her she would not be able to fly unless he pushed her himself.
Amberley Snyder (above) is speaking out about a humiliating incident she claims happened at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita on February 16
While boarding a United flight, Snyder was told by a male gate agent that she would not be allowed to travel through the gate on her own
When Snyder insisted she had done this many times before, the gate agent refused her request to board herself and tried to take grab her wheelchair
What happened next still sits with Snyder, as she explains she was forced to switch chairs multiple times and humiliated while doing something it has taken her years to achieve.
'I love to travel alone,' says Snyder.
'It took me so long to be comfortable enough to travel and I had to work hard.'
That did not matter to the agent claims Snyder, who she says was steadfast in his demand.
When he tried
