No to a disabled person having to travel with someone else... yes to a disabled person who cannot care for himself having to travel with a caregiver... it is not the job of airline personnel to provide special care.
This traveler was probably trying to get the reaction from the airline by showing up and demanding that the airlines be responsible for caring for him... his friends all refused as a grandstand move to pressure the airlines... he was setting himself up as the "VICTIM" of the rules in place that he thought were demeaning to him rather than the rules being for the safety of everyone on board.