All Maria Whitefield wanted was to make it to her hospital appointment. Instead, she was left humiliated — and stranded.
On October 17, the London woman tried boarding an Arriva bus in West Norwood. The driver lowered the ramp, but two mothers with buggies were already parked in the only wheelchair space. “I asked them to fold their buggies,” Maria said softly. “There’s a sign that says it’s a wheelchair priority area.”
No one moved. No one spoke up. For 20 long minutes, Maria sat halfway on the ramp, filming the standoff as other passengers began sighing — not at the mothers, but at her. “They told me to get off because I was holding up the bus,” she recalled. “I missed my appointment. It happens all the time. I’m tired.”
By law, wheelchair users have priority, but the driver refused to intervene. Maria’s story struck a nerve online — sparking outrage and painful debate. One commenter wrote, “The wheelchair user can’t go anywhere else. The mother can.”
Maria’s quiet plea still echoes: “People need to take a step in my shoes. I don’t choose to be in a wheelchair.”
❤️ When did kindness stop being common sense?
