Disability Activist Passes Due to Complications

Disability activist and member of Hand in Hand, Engracia Figueroa, passed away due to complications incurred when her custom-built wheelchair was damaged by United Airlines while in their cargo hold. Having incurred lasting injuries that required highly specific support structures to maintain her balance and spinal cord patency, Figueroa was given a temporary loaner chair which failed to provide the standard of care she required. The Company was reluctant to accept fault and replace the chair, instead spending months trying to insist on theoretically cheaper, but only cosmetically functional repairs. Described as a vital extension of her body by a fellow activist, United’s negligence in carriag