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[Guest guest]

HIya guys

Thi sis from Dave's blog- this is a cool post

http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/

NEXT <http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2008/05/next.html>

It was pandamonium. Way too many people. Way too small a place. Way too

many rules for where to stand. The cafeteria was full of confusion. In a

wheelchair I'm not tall enough to scope the situation out and decide

appropriate action. All Ican see is people swirling in front of me

asking, " Is this where I go for the soup and sandwich? " " Is this where I

go for the grill? " " Is this where I line up for the drinks? " Finally I

see the line for the grill, just off the line for the salads, and head

there.

I order a veggie burger, give my name for pick up, and then proceed

along to pay. Our line is moving swifty, much more quckly than the other

pay line on the other side. " Next! " a voicebox that must have been

shaped at birth like a megaphone alternately shoves the last person away

and pulls in the next calls out ahead of me. " Talk to me, I'm blind,

what are you having? " it's an order, not a request, it's a statement of

fact, not a plea for pity. This woman could teach drill sargents how to

keep order.

Everyone quickly describes that they are having. Salad and fruit is

weighed on the scale beside, keys are punched on the till, total is

announced. " How you paying me? What size is the bill? " then cards are

swiped or change is given. " NEXT! " At one point the customer didn't

leave quickly and the woman slowly gathered up her stuff and didn't

answer, " Is there someone in front of me, tell me your order, " the next

person quickly stepped into place and gave her order.

Her incredible efficiency was amazing. No dilly dally, no 'oh me oh my

I'm so disabled be patient with me' - it was all straighforward

effiency. I can picture her children standing at attention for

inspection in the morning. When I was NEXT, I got up to the till and

started to give my order. She could tell I was sitting not standing so

she lowered her eyes to be about where she figured I was and continued

to give instruction and take information. My money was swapped for

change, I said " thanks " and moved on.

I've always heard about the need to adapt workplaces for people with

disabilties. This may be the first time when a person with a disability

was able to adapt a workforce. Where someone simply stated clearly what

need to be done to get the job accomplished. And people did it. She had

authority, dignity. She stated she was blind, not for pity, but to keep

it clear that the interaction needed to be verbal. She whipped people

through the line up faster than the sighted woman on the other side.

I wonder if she gets a kick out of that. But maybe she doesn't have time

to notice.

" Next! Talk to me! "

--

Aussie Leis- mum to , Natasha, and Jellybean

I'm not bossy I just know what you SHOULD be doing!!