Airline trashes her $75,000 wheelchair, so she works to change law

By: Joanna Gagis, Senior Correspondent

Outlets: NJ Spotlight

Published: March 20, 2026

Words: 1,079

Last Updated: 1 day, 7 hours ago

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More than 11,000 wheelchairs or mobility scooters are damaged, delayed or lost each year during air travel, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Behind that statistic are the profound hardships and indignities for people who depend on them. One is Emily Ladau, whose wheelchair has been damaged on multiple occasions, most recently this month. Ladau is the author of the book “Demystifying Disability: What to Know What to Say and How to Be an …

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