never preboarding again (if i can help it)

My family and I were flying home this week, and a couple days before we left, I injured/overexterted/??? myself (I have an appt with my PCP soon lol) to the point where I can stand, I can sit, but I can't stand from seated or sit from standing without some difficulty, pain and support. Like, a stupid amount of pain. I'm ok to walk, but difficult to do stairs, especially descending, and that includes descending ramps.

I was sort of dreading the flight — we had Early Bird on our original flight, but had to switch within 24 hrs, so we were now stuck squarely in mid-C group. My original plan when in A was to grab a window seat so I could be out of the way and not have to get up and down in case someone needed to get up to use the rest room, etc. Morning of flight, condition not getting any better. I pop Tylenol and ibuprofen. A little better but still having challenges.

When we checked our bags, I relayed this to the ticketing agent. I asked if it was possible to have extra time to board; I don't have a disability (not one that affects my legs anyhow) but I am having mobility challenges and because of the last minute flight change, I couldn't do my original plan. She said no, no problem, I'll give you preboard. I said are you sure? I probably would be fine with extra time. She said yes, you need a specific seat, not necessarily extra time to get to a seat, this is the best option for your situation.

Okay, cool. Have never preboarded ever in my life. I have read a lot about it in this sub. And to an onlooker, I'm an able-bodied 20-something with a slight limp and nothing else. Killer. Awesome. I check with one of the gate agents that I'm good to go and can bring a companion. They are as nice and as helpful as ever, and reassure me I'm in the right spot, etc.

I'm waiting to preboard, with my pack mule (I mean sister) to grab my backpack so I can lower myself down and scooch into the window seat. Immediately get hostility from every single over 65+ aged passenger waiting nearby. "Are you preboard?" One asked me. "Yes." I reply. She rolls her eyes so far back into her head that I think she might lose them.

I'm not in a wheelchair. I'm standing! Because I have no choice and I'm utterly minimizing every time I have to get up and down as much as possible! She harangues me about how she was in line to preboard (she was not), then when preboard is announced, immediately bumps my sister with her suitcase and (loudly) goes "Well, come on now! You're just going to waltz down the jetway anyway, you clearly don't need it."

Incredible. Another older man turns to me and says "Preboard means disabled." (Which, yes. But no? Anyway??) I walk to the gate agent, who, without a single issue, scans our boarding passes. I stiffly, slowly, make my way down the jet bridge. Teenage pack mule sister is not helpful right now, unfortunately. But the lady from before ends up behind her, and starts making loud, weird, invasive comments about her, her backpack, and then after I (painfully! slowly!) lower myself into my seat, she loudly complains that we took her favorite row.

I can't express how embarrassing it is to use an avenue that SWA recommended to me and then be so openly judged and harassed for doing it. Do I think people take advantage? Sure! But holy shit! Young people can be and are disabled! My experience barely touches what other disabled people deal with; I have an invisible disability (unrelated!) and I have family with visible and invisible disabilities, and this weird ass behavior is sooo uncomfortable and uncalled for. Grateful that SWA recommended I preboard but if I ever need it in the future (granted, the next 12-18 months, pre-seat changes), I'll seriously think twice.

EDIT: It's so unfortunate to hear so many other people have this same experience, and I'm grateful for everything that people have shared. I'm upvoting as many good quippy responses (that I wish I had said) as I can! I was so frazzled on such a chaotic travel day that I just tried to ignore her the best I can and ruthlessly made fun of her behind her back with my teenage sister (a worthy opponent to a Karen) throughout the flight. While I've received accommodations for years in academic and workplace settings due to disabilities I have, I hadn't ever had to take advantage of them in other places, like SWA, until that flight. Thanks to everyone for the good and necessary reminders that we deserve the accommodations we need and receive, and not making me feel so alone in my experience! Happy New Year everyone and, always and forever, fuck the haters. :-)