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Another story I remember that happened way back when....
I was maybe in High School or going to Gallaudet at that time...
I would often fly back and forth between Gallaudet and my parent's house in Connecticut.
I flew so often, I was a very experienced flier.
One time, I decided it might be a better idea to notify the stewardess or the airline worker at the counter --
I think it had happened that the time before, I had almost missed a flight
because they had announced on the loudspeaker that they were changing gates or something, and I didn't realize it
and I almost missed the flight. Luckily I did watch
and saw many people leaving the area, and I started to wonder --
I felt something was wrong, so I went to check the TV monitor
and saw the change, and rushed to the gate to catch my flight.
So the next time, I decided it might be better to notify the person at the desk that I'm Deaf
so that if something happened, they would know to come up to me and tell me.
Quite simple, right?
So I went up to the woman and told her I was Deaf,
The woman told me to wait, and started filling out a form.
I was wondering what she was doing all that for.
After filling out the form, she put it into a plastic holder on an orange lanyard
and told me to put it on.
I felt really stupid at having to put this thing on me.
She told me to sit over to the side near her counter.
I wasn't crazy about being told where to sit, but if it meant she would see me and know where I was, fine.
So I sat there.
When it was time for the flight, the woman took my arm and guided me into the plane.
Again, I felt really stupid -- I don't need guiding! I'm not blind!
She led me to my seat (which I can find for myself!) and told me to relax.
I really did not know what to think at this point. I sat
and the flight attendants were VERY attentive to me, took care of me and offered drinks, etc.
They came often to check up on me.
When the plane landed, you know how people
sit on the edge of their seats waiting for the bell so they can jump up and grab their bags and get out of there, right?
I was ready to do the same thing when the stewardess came to me and told me I had to stay in my seat.
I was totally at a loss what to do, while all the people were filing out of the plane.
I started thinking, why am I doing this? Why do I need to?
Finally, I had enough, I took off the lanyard, got up and got my bags,
and walked off the plane -- by myself!
Since then, do I ask the person at the desk for special help or attention?
Not at all. I take care of myself, I watch the people around me,
and since then, I've had no problems.