I started this trip in a love affair with a sponge, and ended it unabashedly swooning over the transportation employees at Shannon Airport. Never have I been treated with such respect and kindness as it relates to my hearing loss. Upon arrival, I donned my sunflower lanyard, ensuring that the information card was on full display, and boldly marched forth on the quest to see how this system worked on the other side of the Atlantic.
Ticketing Agent
I held up my card and did not use my voice for this interaction as I was curious to see how it would be without my verbally disclosing first. She read the card, gave me a broad smile and said “Oh! That’s ok!” I admit that I flinched initially when she stated, “It’s ok!” but checked myself quickly as her intention to be of assistance was clear, and that it was not a derogatory use of the phrase. In short, I tucked my Boston attitude and Italian temper back into my knapsack, for once. She printed our boarding passes and faced me to give verbal directions as to where to go next for security and then on to customs. She spoke slowly and carefully, enunciating clearly, and raised the volume of her voice a little above what I would have expected. It was a delightful exchange and I walked away feeling confident that I could have navigated this routine without a travel companion.
Baggage Security Handler
My favorite person – again. I had such a positive experience with this gentleman, similar to the experience I had with the TSA agent in this same role back in Boston. He noticed my lanyard right away, gave me a wide smile, and I held up the card for him to read and said at the same time, “I want to let you know that I wear two hearing aids and may need a little extra help”. He said “Of course, love! Hold on now! Let me tell ‘em!” and scurried away to let the screening agent know that I was coming up next in the line and had hearing loss. He came back and said that I needed to remove the lanyard and place it in the bin for screening, but reassured me that the next agent was aware of my hearing loss. There was a crowd forming while he was advocating for me but never once did I feel like a burden and he was certainly nonplussed himself. What a doll!
Scanning Agent
True to his word, the scanning agent smiled when I pointed to my hearing aids and gave me a “thumbs up”. She gestured me forward and showed me how to stand in the scanner. Once the scan was complete, she waved me forward. Not a word was spoken, but the directions were clear. I have never breezed through as security screening with less anxiety in my many travels!
Customs Agent
Sadly, I did not encounter my cutie red head agent from the first part of the week, but this gentleman was equally as accommodating and charming. I spoke to him and said, “I wear hearing aids and may have trouble hearing you” and held up my card. He glanced at it, glanced at me, and said “Ok then! First, we are taking a picture” and he pointed to the camera and gestured for me to smile. He asked for my passport, and held out his hand to indicate when it was time for me to surrender it to him. (I held a slight breath that I was going to clear immigration considering my antics in Italy back in 2000 but that’s another blog post). He flashed a huge smile at me, and waved me on when we were finished with our encounter.
Conclusion
I loved every minute of this trip even with the gaping head wound, mild concussion, emerging black eye, and horrific cold. I met so many wonderful people along the way, hearing their stories and being on the receiving end of their kindness. I want to express extra special thanks to the following folks: Pat the bartender; Sean the pharmacist; Linda the caretaker; and Irene the Air b-n-b owner as well as my gratitude to everyone I encountered at the Shannon Airport. It truly made what had the potential to be a very stressful experience as seamless as possible. I enjoyed Ireland when I first went back in 2008, and the enjoyment and appreciation for that beautiful country multiplied exponentially this visit. Admittedly, I came back feeling a wee bit Irish in my soul – though I know my family is going to throw holy water on me and screech blasphemy…I am, after all, still just an Italian girl from Boston.
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