A model and business executive has claimed she was barred from boarding a British Airways flight at New York’s JFK Airport because she was traveling alone and using a wheelchair.Samantha Bullock, 47, founder of disability inclusion company Bullock Inclusion, said she was about to fly from New York to London when airline staff told her she would not be allowed to board the plane. She later shared details of the incident on social media and called it a case of disability discrimination.“I was not refused because of a ticket issue, security violation or missing document. I was refused because I have a disability and am traveling independently,” Bullock wrote on social media on Sunday.She said the explanation the staff gave her was that since she was traveling alone, the cabin crew would not be able to help her use the toilet during the flight or help her in an emergency.She said, “The explanation I was given was shocking. I was told that because I was traveling alone, the flight crew could not help me to the toilet during the flight and could not get me out in case of an emergency.”Bullock said he has traveled alone for many years and argued that requiring disabled passengers to fly with a companion creates an undue financial burden.“If people with disabilities are expected to travel with a companion, it means we have to pay for two flights instead of one,” he said.He added: “In effect we are being charged more for the same freedoms and opportunities that non-disabled travelers take for granted.”After several hours at the airport, Bullock said he was eventually transferred to an American Airlines flight “without asking”, but claimed he faced similar questioning from staff.She has since said she is considering legal action, alleging disability discrimination and saying she has documentary evidence of what happened.“I believe this treatment may constitute disability discrimination, and I am seeking legal action to protect my rights and the rights of other disabled passengers,” she wrote. “I have everything documented and recorded and I will fully pursue this discussion and sue for all the time and significant discrimination I have suffered.”“People with disabilities have the same rights to travel, work and live independently as other people,” he said.Bullock said that shortly before the incident he had attended a United Nations disability rights conference in New York.“I recently attended the 19th COSP Conference at the United Nations in New York, where global leaders, advocates and organizations gathered to discuss and advance the rights of people with disabilities. They spent days talking about inclusion, access, dignity and equal rights.” ‘Then I flew home on British Airways and experienced the exact opposite,’ she wrote.Bullock was paralyzed after “a fatal accident involving a gun” at the age of 14. She later rebuilt her life to become a professional wheelchair tennis player and model. She represented Brazil in wheelchair tennis and won a silver medal in doubles at the 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. He also performed at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Paralympic Games.A British Airways spokesperson said the airline was reviewing the incident.The spokesperson said, “We are sorry for our customer’s experience and are immediately investigating what happened. We are in direct contact with the customer while we review the circumstances.”