BID TO DISABLE THE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED: – By Joe Van Langenberg
Craig Nolan aged 43, who was born in the Australian suburb of Geelong, has seen fire and has seen rain. He has been afflicted with a disorder called Spina Bifuda, a condition that takes its toll on the vertebra, resulting in mobility constraints, which necessitates the use of a wheelchair to help him get around.
But Mr Nolan soldiers on, with nary a whimper. He has accepted the things he cannot change. And like many others, he has been making do and continues making do, with the less-than- favourable cards, that life has dealt him.
Its no exaggeration to say, that Craig Nolan has been put through the wringer. But he has also seen sunshine, rainbows and rose gardens Nonetheless, through the peaks and valleys,, he has boxed on with his head held high
However, December 05.2022 (Monday) brought about a turning point for the worse, when he was alleged to have been ignominously bundled out of a Qatar Airways plane, moments prior to the same taking off to Helsinki, where Mr Nolan has been hitherto living with his partner Bridget Mullahy.
According to a spokesperson for Qatar Airways, Mr Nolan had been travelling alone. And in keeping with Qatar Airways Aviation policy, any physically handicapped passenger travelling without an aide, would have been in breach of its so-called standard requirements.
Mr Nolan who has been an accomplished sportsman with a remarkable zest for life, has flown around the globe more than six times And he points out, that he always travelled by himself on every flight, without let or hindrance.
“It was absolute discrimination, because there was no justifiable reason for me to be thrown off the flight” Mr Nolan told Nine News.
Craig’s visibly-distraught and tearful partner Ms Mullahy (pictured standing next to Mr Nolan) said thus: “Taken off in the middle of the night with nowhere to go and secure accommodation after a somewhat lengthy negotiation, was traumatic to say the least”.
Reports from the grapevine, point to a Commission of Inquiry been appointed by the Equal Opportunity Board, to ascertain the validity of the allegations and Qatar Airways reason or reasons, for not permitting Mr Nolan to proceed to Helsinki, as earlier planned.
In the event of Qatar Airways been found culpable of blatant discrimination, it should take expeditious steps to amply compensate Mr Nolan for physical, emotional and mental stress,. Above all, an unconditional and an unreserved apology to Mr Nolan, should be a non-negotiable sine quo non, if any closure permanent or otherwise, is to be arrived at.
Its pertinent to draw the attention of Qatar Airways powers-that-be, to the accomplishments of two of the world’s greatest human beings, vis-a-vis the former late US President Franklin Roosevelt, who served four historic terms; ruling his country from a wheelchair during the height of the Great Depression, while simultaneously motivating his people to regain their honour, self esteem, self confidence.and values.
And secondly Australian Nick Vujicic, who was born with tetea amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterised by the absence of arms and legs. Lesser mortals would have crumbled, but Nick’s inner strength gave him determination to pursue and attain his goals.
Amazingly, Nick became an evangelist, not to mention, one of the world’s most inspirational and sought after motivational speakers
There is no prosthetic for an amputated spirit.
This needs to be uppermost in the minds of those in authority, before they think it’s okay to play Russian Roulette with others’ sensitivities.
