Writings about Ataxia, being DeafBlind, family life. The best life can offer!


A story of Pizza

This is a story of a Deaf-Blind person buying pizza for his boys and himself.

The first part is Without an intervenor.

My boys had the day off school, so I decided to bring them with me to Deaf-Blind Drop In that happens each Friday.

As it was getting on Lunchtime, I knew my boys and myself were hungry.

There is a pizza dive close by, so I took my kids there.

There was a misunderstanding between myself and my youngest boy. I wanted two slices each, for a total of six, in a box for easier transpo. But the boy told the clerk 2 large pizzas! I signed “Pizza 2, in front of both boys and myself” So it sorta looked like a circle. Yeah there we go! Both the older boy and myself had picked our pizza, then the younger told the clerk.

She added up my bill and I paid. The screen is very small and I could not read it, nor could Iread the ATM machine or the receipt.

I thought it said $13.

I realized something was wrong when my kids told me to wait. And I looked at receipt again, what was $13 was actually $32! Gasp!

I realized the younger boy had misunderstood me! Not two large Pizzas but two slices each!

I explained that to him!

I also tried to explain that to the clerk, but she did not understand and the line was getting long!

Now, I decided to go ask if a retired interpreter volunteer who was at the Drop In if he would mind helping me. He said yes. I left the boys there.

Now is part two: With an Intervenor.

I went back to the Fresh Slice Pizza restaurant with the volunteer. And, through ASL, I explained that my son had misunderstood my signs. He thought I said 2 Large Pizza, but I meants 2 slices each in a box!

The clerk fully understood and I was able to downgrade my order, get six slices in a pizza box and collected $16 dollars refund!

The intervenor was able to convoy clearly what I wanted. Plus provide auditory and visual information.

What visual information: He informed me the price on the hard to see screen, the pizza names, telling me what is on each. He also told me the line was getting long, but I still got the pizzas I wanted!

Yes, my kids are becoming, daily, more adept with conversing with me! I have become accustomed to them signing new signs that I have seem them use before! I am proud of them!

As you can see, With Intervenors is a must for Deaf-Blind people. it would make things so much easier for Deaf-Blind persons, the community, and businesses!

Thank you for listening!

Share, Like, Follow and Support!

Leave a comment

From the blog

About the author

Craig MacLean is DeafBlind with ataxia, a rare condition called CAPOS. He & his wife of 22 years have two sons, the oldest of which has CAPOS as well.

Craig uses American Sign Language to communicate. He is an avid writer, friend, Hot Wheel collector and intervenor advocate.

Craig sits on many committees, boards and associations as a DeafBlind rep. He graduated university with a BA in psychology in 2000.