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Disabled Passenger Sues LIRR For Humiliating Ride

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Feb 5, 2009 10:40 pm US/Eastern

Disabled Passenger Sues LIRR For Humiliating Ride

NEW YORK (AP) ―

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A disabled LIRR passenger is suing the railroad Thursday night, claiming he was singled out as an "obstacle" causing a train to be delayed.

The passenger says it was a humiliating ordeal that no one should have to endure.

Anthony Faggiani graduated with honors from East Islip High School, has an extra high IQ of 137, works at a great job, and gets around on a wheelchair.

"He went on a loudspeaker and he said, 'I apologize for the delay but we have a wheelchair patient,' " Anthony says.

Faggiani and his dad, Douglas, are reliving what they call a humiliating ride on the LIRR.

"Trust me, we've pioneered a lot of things – Anthony is 22 years old, he's got cerebral palsy, he's been stricken to that wheelchair," Douglas said. "We preach compassion."

Returning home from a Yankees game, the Faggianis couldn't find the conductor to drop the ramp for the wheelchair, even though they say they'd already prearranged this with him when they boarded.

Finally flagging him down, they describe an infuriated conductor who, instead of helping, took to the PA system.

"He kept emphasizing, 'wheelchair, wheelchair, I apologize for the delay,' " Anthony says. "Like it was my problem."

Faggiani says he was mortified beyond belief that Suddenly all eyes from unhappy delayed passengers stared at him, and a few even heckled as he made his way off the train – all while unwelcome announcements continued.

"It really got to me because it's nothing that I could help, and I didn't see I was doing anything wrong," Anthony said.

The railroad responded in a statement: "LIRR train crews would never seek to embarrass any passenger needing assistance... (In the future) employees are being instructed to say a customer 'needs assistance.' "

The Faggiani's attorney, Andrew Siben, says the change will have no effect on the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages for serious psychological injuries and distress.

The LIRR cited a recent report by the MTA Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee that applauded the railroad for making "significant efforts" to accommodate disabled riders.

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