Amputee's Dignity Removed By TSA
Blogger "AmputeeMommy" is a 36-year-old below-the-knee amputee named Peggy who describes herself as "the Mommy to a very active 4 year old." (Robby is her son.) Here is an excerpt from her TSA story:
After Robby's second screening, he was directed by an imposing figure to sit in a chair and not to communicate with me. He was scared and asked me if everything was okay. He broke the "rule" and the consequence was a full body pat down. I was forced to sit in a chair and helplessly watch my scared little boy get patted down for explosives. I was angry and perplexed when they pulled back his hands and peeked into his diaper. When his ordeal was over, Robby sat quietly shaking in a chair staring at me.When they were done clearing a four year old for explosive materials, they turned their attention to me. I was taken through the normal pat down procedure to which I am accustomed. I was then informed, in a matter of fact tone, that the rules have changed as of today (Friday, May 28, 2010) and that further screening was necessary.
I was instructed to remove my leg. I refused, stating that it was against procedure to insist that I remove my prosthetic. Another man was brought over, who lectured me about the increased security risk and the need to keep screening procedures current. He reiterated that the rules have changed, and that he needed my prosthetic. Looking at my frightened little boy and knowing that we were becoming pressed for time, I begrudgingly removed my leg and handed it to the rude agent.
"What's that?" the man asked while pointing to my liner. I explained that it was my prosthetic liner, and that I wore it to keep my prosthetic attached. He insisted that he needed to run my liner through the machine as well.
I don't think that the general public understands how personal a residual limb is to the amputee. It is on par with one's genitals. I simply don't remove my liner in public exposing my limb, and I was humiliated by the request.
At this point, our plane was boarding. I had amassed a group of four TSA officers around me, and Robby was scared and in tears. I knew that what they were asking me to do was wrong, but I also knew that fighting at that moment would caused us to miss our plane. I just wanted to get home.
I took off my liner. I sat quietly in a chair as onlookers and gawking passengers watched me expose one of my most personal features. I felt defeated and humiliated.
My liner, which is supposed to be maintained in a hygienic manner, was thrown into a screening bin inside out and run through the machine. No care was given to sanitizing the container which I am sure is riddled with fecal matter and bacteria. I was given no opportunity or materials to clean the liner after it was contaminated. It was half-hazardly thrown into my lap as I was told that I could leave.
I put my leg on and gave Robby a huge hug. We gathered our carry-on items which had been removed from our bags and strewn on a metal table. Tears were rolling down my face as I called my family for support.
via Kate Coe
WHy did she let them pat her son? I can't fathom the parent that would allow that. I really can't. Yes, TSA is to blame here and need to be done away with in any manner possible, but what parent let's her kid be searched??
momof4 at July 27, 2011 5:26 AM
This is obscene. And common.
When are people in this country going to get it through their skulls that this abuse is going on??
And Momof4, I must proffer an answer, even though I don't have children. I have been trying for almost two years to wake people up to TSA abuse. To say it's an uphill battle is an epic understatement. People don't want to believe it. Even with evidence staring them in the face, they don't want to believe it.
My own sister-in-law, who has two small children, doesn't believe it. My mother-in-law doesn't believe it. My friends, most of whom have children, don't believe it. Do you think if any of their kids were touched they wouldn't go ballistic?? Well, maybe not. After all, they've grown adept at denial. They would probably be, as this mother was, in shock and in denial. "This can't be happening." "It's not so bad." "It'll be over soon." "I'm afraid they'll arrest me." "Just let me get my flight so I can get out of here." On and on.
I agree that I would never allow a child to be groped, but then I've stopped flying because I won't allow myself to be groped. Millions of people simply don't know what's going on, or don't want to know. Those are two different things. And I think we have to be careful not to condemn parents who have been caught off guard and bullied, harassed, and intimidated, as this woman was.
It cannot be repeated enough: The TSA is a criminal, out-of-control agency that abuses people with impunity. We have to keep saying it, we have to keep presenting the evidence, and we have to keep fighting it, no matter how many naysayers try to deny it.
Lisa Simeone at July 27, 2011 6:09 AM
Well, apparently too many people are cowtowing to the bogus court rulings making this 'legal.'
The 4th Amendment, Miranda (384 US 436, 491) apparently have no teeth in the face of idiot judges kissing Fatherland Security's ass.
What sane person agrees with the rulings that searches like this are not 'unreasonable'?? In this case I am not arrogant in that if you disagree you are not worth the effort to argue with.
The TSA and Fatherland Security need to be disbanded and abolished.
Of course, if someone can point out ONE TIME the TSA has saved any ONE life/plane/etc with this security theater...
drcos at July 27, 2011 6:54 AM
The TSA is a criminal, out-of-control agency that abuses people with impunity.
Right on !!
This story is just one of so many that completely disgust me. How can people just stand around and allow this shit to happen? We can not go quietly!
Melody at July 27, 2011 7:27 AM
In the words of the late, great Hunter S. Thompson:
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile — and the rest of us are fucked until we can put our acts together: not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely. We owe that to ourselves and our crippled self-image as something better than a nation of panicked sheep."
—The Great Shark Hunt, 1979
o.O
Flynne at July 27, 2011 7:38 AM
Bravo, Flynne. I'll add one:
"The only kinds of fights worth fighting," said I.F. Stone, "are those you are going to lose, because somebody has to fight them and lose and lose and lose until someday, somebody who believes as you do wins. In order for somebody to win an important, major fight 100 years hence, a lot of other people have got to be willing -- for the sheer fun and joy of it -- to go right ahead and fight, knowing you're going to lose. You mustn't feel like a martyr. You've got to enjoy it."
Lisa Simeone at July 27, 2011 7:56 AM
That is clearly sexual abuse of a child and the fact that they put your liner in a germ infested bin is a health risk. What's sad is that you can not file a police report against them for this. If I was a mother and someone was touching my child at an airport I would just have to go to jail and then get a lawyer. This is crazyness. When will they stop doing this to us. If someone else other than a TSA officer did this to a child they would be in jail and listed as a sex offender. What gives them the right to do this to children and their parents.
Monique at July 27, 2011 9:20 AM
When the final history of the United States is written, there will be seminal events noted, such as the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the creation of the TSA.
BOTU at July 27, 2011 9:54 AM
Where are these things happening? I've flow 4 times in the last 2 months, and no TSA person has done more than look at my ticket before I go through the metal detector.
Robert at July 27, 2011 11:02 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/07/amputees-dignit.html#comment-2383985">comment from RobertWhere are these things happening? I've flow 4 times in the last 2 months, and no TSA person has done more than look at my ticket before I go through the metal detector.
Well, for example, United at LAX (domestic) scans or sexually violates every person getting on a plane.
In New Orleans, it was my desire to be kind to a man in a wheelchair that screwed me up. I thought I was cutting in front of him, or maybe separating him from his wife, so I switched lines. I didn't notice that only some lines went through to the scanner and others did not.
But, as much as I hate to be touched in this way, and find it humiliating, degrading, upsetting, and a vile violation of my Constitutional rights, every time I go through and cry, it maybe sets an example for others who see me, as maybe does my writing here about it.
You are not being polite and civilized in going along quietly with these violations of your body and rights. Speak up, sob, let your feelings out about being violated in this way as a course of normal business travel, sans probable cause.
Amy Alkon
at July 27, 2011 11:37 AM
Where are these things happening? I've flow 4 times in the last 2 months, and no TSA person has done more than look at my ticket before I go through the metal detector.
As Amy said, it depends on the airport. If the airport doesn't have the body scanners (which are different from metal detectors), there is nothing to opt out of, meaning you're less likely to get the pat-down. You still might, though.
I usually fly out of Austin. No machines, no pat-down. Same with some terminals in Chicago O'Hare. Yet I also go through the Milwaukee airport a lot, which has the scanners. And I ALWAYS get the enhanced pat-down there.
sofar at July 27, 2011 12:25 PM
So, because a 4 yr old spoke to his mother, that was the grounds for an extensive search, which, as Monique pointed out, would land anyone other than a TSA agent on the sex offender registry.
Adult strangers aren't allowed to sit at a park that their taxes pay for, but adult strangers are allowed to touch children intimately, and look into their undergarments, as long as they have the distinction of having a minimum wage job with the government. Fantastic.
I also agree with what momof4 is saying. It's understandable that many people are in shock when this happens, especially if it's the first time it's happening to them, but as someone who is aware of the abuses going on, if anyone tried to touch my child in such an inappropriate manner, or made it a condition of flying, I'd be missing my flight.
Jazzhands at July 27, 2011 2:15 PM
Disgusting. All of it. I'm particularly disgusted by the fact that they are touching people and not changing their gloves after each pat down. At least not that I've seen. The thought that their hands are in someone else's waistband and hair and so on and so on gives me the heebeejeebees! I fly Orange County to San Jose at least once a month. Thankfully, (knock on wood) I've only had to go through the metal detectors. Amy I hope you asked for them to put on a clean pair of gloves before touching you!
sara at July 27, 2011 2:49 PM
Sara, you raise an excellent point that I've often wondered about myself: why wear plastic gloves that never ever get changed?
The regs here know i'n an RN. We are required to wash our hands upon entering a room in clear sight of the patient if the are conscious, then glove up, then we may touch the patient. After, we must take off the gloves and wash our hands again prior to leaving the room. I realize I'm talking about a hospital, but planes and airports have thousands if folks pass through them daily. Ever see "Outbreak"?
So, yeah...how come some TSA slob can stick his/her hands down some guy's buttcrack, and not have to change gloves before touching me? For all I know Mr. Buttcrack could have a nice case of Impetigo that the TSA has now passed onto me.
UW Girl at July 27, 2011 3:41 PM
The gloves are for their benefit, of course. I had hoped I would be safe from pat downs since I have a baby, but I guess my four year old isn't safe.
Sara M at July 27, 2011 5:47 PM
Another man asks "why?" (see link)
Because it's about power. It's about control. It has nothing to do with anything else. The fact that a few sadists get off on it is just icing on the cake.
And so it goes.
http://tsaabusestory.blogspot.com/2011/07/if-you-want-to-know-what-to-expect-when.html
Lisa Simeone at July 28, 2011 8:53 AM
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