[jessicat]

My husband and I went on vacation to Hawaii the flight over was OK No real exceptional customer service provided to us but we got to our destination. While on vacation I had an accident where I had to visit the hospital. The doctor said that I had severely torn the tendons and ligiments in my right knee. He went on to say that I should wear the knee brace at all times except for showers that I should not bend my knee. The accident happened on a Wednesday and our flight didnt leave for home until Sunday. I called the airline immediatly and explained the situation the CSR told me that there was NOTHING they could do to accomodate my disability. I called again on thursday and asked to speak to a supervisor she also told me Sorry we cant assign seats more than 24 hours in advance she suggested I call back. So I did I called back on Saturday and spoke to someone else they said that they cant seat me based on my disabilty. They did offer to put me in first class at almost 1000.00 per person extra. Not being able to afford that additional fee and advising the service rep of that she said that she would assign us a seat that would accomodate my leg. On Sunday morning I looked on line to see what seats were assigned row 39 window and middle seat (thats the seat that doesnt recline due to the restroom being right behind them) . I thought where am I going to put my leg being in the brace I didnt think it would fit under the seat in front of me. So.....I called NWA again finally I thought I was getting somewhere when they said that the third seat would not be assigned and I could put my leg on it. Seems easy right? well when I was wheeled to the airplane the 3 seats were empty but not for long a lady pardoned herself and said that that 3rd seat was assigned to her. I Called the in cabin staff she said that she would try to move the lady but was unable to due to the plane being over booked. They are bumping people yea my brake I told the in cabin staff to bump us she looked at me basically said no and told me that I would not have a choice but to take of the brace on my leg and sit in my seat. I asked if I could sit on the end she said yes but I would still have to bend my leg so that it would be behind the seat in front of me and NOT in the isle. I took a pain pill and just suffered through this 5 or 6 hour flight (also delayed 2hours) when we finally arrived in Seattle my knee, calf and ankle were swollen to alsost double in size. I have never had such pain. I have filed a complaint with NWA I just cant wait to see what there reply will be or if any compensation will be given.