Paralympian asked to prove disability by airport employee

Sophia Warner found the incident ‘beyond devastating’

Sophia Warner makes a television appearance on 'Lorraine' on June 11 2012 (Steve Meddle/REX/Shutterstock)

A Paralympian who represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Paralympics has expressed her upset at being asked to prove her disability at an airport.

Sophia Warner is a 43-year-old track and field athlete with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects the movement and coordination of the body.

She specialises predominantly in T35 sprint events, winning silver and bronze at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Earlier today, she explained on Twitter how an airport employee reportedly informed her that she didn’t look disabled, and so didn’t require assistance.

“I’ve not complained on Twitter before,” she wrote.

“The order to publicly prove my disability incident by @easyJet yesterday was beyond devastating.”

Warner continued in another tweet to explain the situation further.

She wrote: “I was told ‘You look completely normal. Why do you need help.’

“I cried all the way home. I don’t even know where to begin with a complaint.”

Other Twitter users who have experienced similar situations chimed in amid the comments.

“I know your pain. I have had exactly the same experience with EJ [easyJet],” one person wrote.

“I was seriously injured on a flight due to poorly trained cabin crew but EJ have denied everything and changed what happened in legal action.”

TV presenter Sophie Morgan also offered her sympathy, writing: “Oh my god. That is unreal… Soph you poor thing.

“So sorry to read this. Sending love.”

EasyJet responded quickly on Twitter to Warner’s complaint, stating that a member of the executive support team would be in contact soon to discuss the incident.

Sophia Warner of Great Britain competes in the Women's 200m - T35 Final on day 2 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 31, 2012 in London, England (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Warner has provided her Twitter followers with an update, explaining that easyJet has been very accommodating.

“Thanks everyone for all the kind words of support!” she wrote.

“@easyJet have been great so far and are on the case.”

EasyJet has since clarified that the member of staff who offensively addressed Warner worked for Airport Handling at Milan Malpensa airport.

“We’re sorry to hear of Ms Warner’s experience," an easyJet spokesperson said.

"The agent involved is employed by Airport Handling and both he and they have assured us that he was trying to ascertain what assistance was required to help Ms Warner.

"However, this was clearly not handled as sensitively as we would have liked. We will investigate this with Airport Handling to ensure any lessons can be learned and changes are made to how they train their staff."