Hot Dog - As i have said before, it is a common occurance to carry pax with plaster casts on home from various ski destinations. They cant sit in seats which are solely allocated for able bodied pax ie row 1 and o'wing exit seats, but other than that they can legally sit (or lay!) in any other seat and it is quite frankly up to them to get out in the event of an evacuation. The c/s would help if at all possible.
Ground Bound - I agree but safety still has to be maintained if you're a national carrier or low coster, so I would hope the cabin secure subject would be looked at. There can be only two outcomes, either the airline is leeting its standards slip or the press have got it wrong again.