What a strange response Roghead
I have re-read your post and I think my post backs up your point indirectly. I have experienced first hand people who ask for a wheelchair to the gate, then go off on their own to do the duty free shopping, arrive back laden with packages announcing 'that's why I need the WCHR, couldn't walk that far with so much shopping, I'd drop some of it!'. I have spoken with cabin crew who have taken time and trouble to arrange for the flight deck to radio ahead with requests for wheelchairs, only for the pax to see that they have arrived at a stand close by the Terminal and they have then dashed off the aircraft. These are not people in any way shape or form similar to your wife, these are pax who are in no way inconvenienced health wise and who are abusing the system set up for the benefit of people like your wife.