In Memoriam
Engracia Figueroa
Photo Credit: Engracia Figueroa
[Image Description: Engracia, a brown-skinned Black woman, sits in her motorized wheelchair. She was a black short-sleeved t-shirt with the word, “Hustle” stenciled in white, grey jeans, a red sock and a black and white tennis shoe. She’s sitting in front of a large container filled with multicolored archery arrows. She wears a bright red archery arm guard on her left arm. She wears brown glasses and has a slight but sly smile on her face.]
Statement Read on the November 12, 2021 episode
Last week, I told you that a friend of mine Engracia Figueroa passed away under tragic circumstances on October 31, 2021. We’ve set up this page where you can learn more about her life and activism. Here are some steps you can take to demand much needed life saving changes. It is and has always been our responsibility and obligation to speak up.
Step #1 - LEARN. When Engracia and I were talking in July about what happened to her chair, I had no idea that airlines destroyed up to 30 wheelchairs a day. So first, take some time to educate yourself about the problem.
Listen to the Crazy & the King Podcast - “The Death of Engracia Figueroa, United Airlines, And All Wheels Up”
From the National Transportation & Safety Board’s Air Travel 2019 Consumer Report - “Mishandled Wheelchairs & Scooters” pages 35-37
From NPR - “Despite calls to improve, air travel is still a nightmare for many with disabilities”
From the late Dr. Bill Peace’s website “Bad Cripple” - “Airline Statistics on Destruction of Wheelchairs Placed in Cargo Hold”
Step #2 - SIGN & SHARE. Please take a moment to read and sign the petition started by Hand in Hand which demands that United Airlines and all other airlines end the damage and destruction of assistive devices and wheelchairs on flights and create an accessible process that allows individuals with disabilities to travel safely, with dignity.
Step #3 - SUPPORT. Earlier this year, we interviewed Matt Lauterbach, Dr. Grishma Shah, and Reveca Torres of All Senses Go & the ReelAbilities Film Festival - Chicago. Well Engracia was not only an artist and actress; she was also curator for the ReelAbiities Film Festival - Los Angeles. She expressed disappointment about not being able to attend because she had go back into the hospital for what we now know would be the last time. Visit the website to see how you can get involved to support this organization which was so close to Engracia’s heart.
We will continue to keep you updated on calls to action that are endorsed by Engracia’s family.
Thank you.