Five-Star Disability

Hi there,

This is the final elaboration of the Principles of intervenor services.

Today I’m looking at risky or dangerous situations.

DeafBlind persons are just like everyone else, they might want to do something risky, could be a simple as jaywalking, or trying a very shady pub or trying a super spicy hot sauce.

The intervenor must be non-judgemental, right, so they would reserve their opinions and not say anything. They can provide enough support so that the DeafBlind person can do the task themselves, while respecting their own personal beliefs.

I’ll give you real-life example:

Years ago, my family & I attended the Canadian National Exhibition, CNE, in Toronto, I had an intervenor for my time within the fair.

So we are walking around, exploring this awesome place, full of people, deep fried onions and kid rides galore! We came upon a large tower , very tall it was. I didn’t see what it was for, but my intervenor spotted a giant poster announcing, in bold letters, Zip-Line!

This was something I wanted to do for quite some time, I don’t have fear of heights.

My wife said go for it! It’s only 20 bucks!

Bonus, there was hardly any line up!

So, I accepted this challenge, a goal of my bucket list!

After signing the legal papers, and shelling out 20 bucks, my intervenor led me to the stairs and we started to go up and up.

A few flights up, there was a concourse where I was given a helmet and jock strap. As I getting into these safety equipment, the intervenor explained to me that I would continue up to the top by myself, while she would go back down and meet me at the other end.

She explained that the Pushers (!) at the top knew I was coming up, that I was DeafBlind, they would load me up and send me across the fairground. She would go with my family and meet me at the other end.

The tower itself was tall, maybe 300 feet, narrowing as it ascended, plus it was canvas-covered. It was a windy day.

The intervenor quite possibly was acrophobic. So she empowered me to achieve this goal, but removed herself from the picture of going all the way to the top.

I had zero problems climbing the next 200 stairs, even as others came racing down, their bravado evaporating the higher they climbed. When I got to the top, I was quickly identified as that DeafBlind guy, and just as quick, clipped onto the zip-line, and, with a thumbs, was pushed off the roof. I zoomed across the CNE fairgrounds, I wasn’t at the least bit scared or even noticed that I was zooming over the heads of 23,948 people. It was a blast, so secure, I didn’t even holler or pee myself!

Would I do that again, even with my advancing ataxia? Yes, without a doubt! yes! Next on my bucket list: skydiving, bungee jumping, suspension bridge walking! With support I can achieve those!

I also want to publish my four books!

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