My fellow blogger and fellow deaf type person, Karen Putz of A Deaf Mom Shares Her World, was turned away from a Steak and Shake drive through window that she’s been served at many times before and for what you might ask? For being deaf and by the general manager himself.
Now I’m not going to go on about my own experiences which have been frustrating enough but if you want a damn good idea of what those of us who are classified "hearing impaired" (what a joke) have to put up with, I suggest you read her initial post; Steak and Shake Denies Service and then read the subsequent entries as her saga continues. ABC even picked this one up. Not all days are this bad of course but every day can be a struggle.
Like me, Karen’s not the type to go around with an "I’M DEAF" chip on her shoulder looking for anywhere she might be able to cause a ruckus, just the opposite in fact. But I’m proud of her for taking a solid stand against this blatant disregard for the ADA and that general manager who refused to stop being such a ****ing idiot.
All the above, what she went through, what we all go through who are similarly disabled–is one of the reasons I’m glad I don’t carry a gun in my rig.
Possibly Related Matter
Tags: being deaf, hearing impaired
January 29th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Kirk,
If I read your post correctly, that means you’re deaf too? If so, I didn’t know that.
Your story above just illustrates the power of blogging. She may be deaf, but her voice comes through other means and she means to be heard.
Thanks for sharing.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Hey Ron,
Yes indeed. The VA has my ears stuffed with two top of the line computerized, equalized, pasteurized hearing aids and without them I’m as deaf as that proverbial post they keep talking about. And to think I used to be a decent sound engineer (lost the hearing in the service though and it’s a progressive thing).
And I’m always glad to pass things on. That’s the beauty of blogging. No one gets away with anything if you just speak up about it and others pass it on. That reminds me, I need to stop by her blog and see how things are progressing.
January 30th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Hey Kirk, thanks for the support!
January 30th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
You are sincerely welcome Karen. Please excuse my tardiness.