Disability: one size fits all

[shewhomust]

We are currently crossing a rather choppy Bay of Biscay.

When we checked in, and presented our ticket, we were asked, as we were on our outbound trip, whether we needed to park adjacent to the lift. We said no, but we know why they offered. The booking form asked whether either of us had any disability, and durham_rambler very sensibly replied that he is deaf, and that while his hearing aids mean that, as long as he is wearing them, you wouldn't necessarily notice this, once he has removed them (e.g. overnight) he will not hear you.

In an emergency, you need to know about this disability. But it does not impair his mobility.

Comments

[karinmollberg.livejournal.com]

Well; whatever isn't immediately visible or comprehensible, doesn't count, right?
I recall innumerous occasions, more or less hilarious, of working for http://www.dialogue-in-the-dark.com/ which was founded by our ex-neighbour in Hamburg and also many a ditto situation with my sister (who has a hearing impairment since birth) with not always perceptive people who suffer nothing but a slight problem with comprehension, themselves. There is a whole book on the subject called http://www.signspotting.com/ which is evidently not for everyone but as a blind colleague used to say: "here you can see a blind person who does not fall over from it!" We did have our fun.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Thank you for both of these!

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

It *is* good to be reminded of this; Sir Rambler compensates very well and people might not remember that he won't hear things when unaided.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Indeed.

Thing is, the hearing aids are both very effective and very discreet: the difference when he isn't wearing them is immense.