A Wicked star has hit out at Southern Airways after she was refused on her flight.
25-year-old Marissa Bode, who portrayed Nessarose Thropp in the musical films Wicked and Wicked: For Good, took to social media to share her frustration over the incident this week.
On Thursday, April 23, the actress shared a TikTok describing what happened, telling fans: “I was denied boarding a flight because I’m disabled,” describing the experience as “awful.”
She explained the situation that occurred during a layover while traveling to a speaking engagement in Pennsylvania, despite prior arrangements reportedly being made.
Bode, who has used a wheelchair since being involved in a car crash at age 11, recalled approaching the gate for assistance. “I got to the gate and was like, ‘Hey, could you help me locate my boarding pass?'” she said.
She then described the moment she says she was turned away by staff. “And the two people at the gate look at me and they’re like, ‘Can you stand?’ And I said, ‘No.’ And they said, ‘I’m sorry, because of that we’re gonna have to deny you boarding.'”
The actress said she was shocked by the explanation she was given. “They proceeded to tell me all the planes within this airline have stairs to get on the plane. Wild. Never heard of that before … You’re telling me none of the people who have flown on your plane before are disabled?”
She also claimed the situation came despite assurances ahead of the flight. “My manager spoke to them beforehand and they fully assured that I would be set for my flight,” she said, suggesting the denial came despite prior arrangements.
Opening up about her previous experiences traveling, she added: “It is always something when I’m flying. It is very rare that I’m flying and there isn’t a problem with my chair or I’m not talked down to.”
“It’s so much more than bad communication,” she said. “It’s so much more than a mistake. These are our lives. This is our entire existence you’re talking about. My wheelchair is my freedom.”
“And of course when I’m crying out of frustration and talking to the people at the gate very firmly, I look like a crazy person,” she continued. “I look like the one that’s in the wrong.”
The Express US has reached out to Southern Airways Express for comment.
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