A double amputee was humiliated by TSA when he was asked to get out of his wheelchair at a Phoenix area airport. On March 20, Christian Post reported that Marine Cpl. Toran Gaal was "mistreated" and "humiliated" by TSA. Gaal lost both his legs in Afghanistan and was in a wheelchair upon arriving at the airport.
"The reports have sparked outrage among some, and Congressman Duncan Hunter has now written a letter to the TSA demanding answers. In the letter he describes how Gaal's [prosthetic] legs were exposed and removed in the exchange with the TSA staff, and he believes this 'humiliated' the marine," the Christian Post reports.
The double amputee who was allegedly humiliated did not complain about the incident at all. While TSA denies these claims, the marine isn't the one speaking out against them. According to the report, it was the people who were escorting Gaal that felt bad for him and they didn't hesitate to voice their opinions.
"The Marine never complained. It was the people who were escorting him. They felt disrespected, they felt mistreated. The problem here is the situational awareness in the tone and lack of awareness," said Joe Kasper, Rep Hunter's Deputy Chief of Staff.
If the double amputee was humiliated, he didn't say anything about it. The debate is now centered around veterans and how they "need extra help." Meanwhile TSA may have made things worse for Gaal instead of easier.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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