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


Trip Journal: flying

I’m an experienced flyer of jets… this is the first time I’ve flown in a cattle truck!

Before I get to that, I want to tell you about how professional the service was, on many levels!

I decided to use an intervenor to check-in, but instead, I got a bonus.

The Deaf intervenor guided me from their parked car to check-in, I had my walker.

Using ASL, they smoothly explained everything; from baggage weight (8.6 Kg) to a list of things I couldn’t bring…

Then, the savvy check-in agent, wearing an amazing light greenish blue blazer, asked if I wanted the intervenor to take me directly to the actual gate.

Of course, I jumped the opportunity!

So, paperwork was quickly filled out, permit given and away we went!

The queue for security was miles long, but I zipped through because I had a walker!

Intervenor was behind me the whole way, guiding with haptic gestures on my back: go left, go right, stop, watch out for that idiot… oh never mind…

Gate B21, yes, it’s there…

I had the intervenor read the destination etc on the gate screen. Yes, I was in the right place!

I parked myself in an accessibility lounger close to the gate, and bid adieu to the intervenor.

They were exceedingly professional!

Stay Tuned!

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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.