Surely airlines are in the people business: People are their chosen "cargo", and that means that you take the rough with the smooth. Not to do so is known as discrimination and this is unlawful, as the court found. I find Ryanair's policies and attitude in this area to be uncomfortably reminiscent of those historically displayed at Auschwitz.
My employer provides wheelchair assistance FOC to those who can provide either a disabled sticker/certificate or a letter from their doctor. This prevents the supply of wchr's being clogged up for those in genuine need by request from those who simply don't fancy walking on the day: I believe this is a fair and reasonable policy.
Those posting on this thread, such as OLNEY 1 BRAVO and BoeingMEL who have experience of disability deserve to be listened to with greater courtesy and respect than some posters here have demonstrated. I find some of the comments expressed here to be deeply depressing.