Miss-Delectable
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A word for deaf cyclists | Stuff.co.nz
Anni Leigh had several near-misses the first time she went cycling after losing hearing in her right ear.
They nearly put her off cycling for good.
But surviving a brain tumour taught the New Lynn resident to battle through any challenge that comes her way so the next day Miss Leigh wrote the word `deaf' in capital letters on the back of her high-visibility vest and braved the traffic again.
She was amazed by the difference it made.
"Cars went slower and wider when they were passing me, they just treated me with more respect," she says.
She thinks having the word `deaf' on her vest made people drive more safely around her.
Miss Leigh had an operation to remove a brain tumour in October last year and lost all the hearing in her right ear.
She felt depressed following the change.
"I was so ill prepared for it, it was horrendous," Ms Leigh says.
She moved to New Lynn from Green Bay a month ago and decided to take up cycling to improve her outlook and fitness.
"I wanted to do something for myself where I didn't have to talk to anyone else," she says.
Miss Leigh has cycled every day since October 28, the day she wrote deaf on her vest.
"I love it, it's been a turning point for me.
"I smile at everyone when I go out now."
She says being hearing-impaired is a challenge "but it doesn't make you stupid".
"If you can drive a car when you're deaf, why can't you cycle?"
Miss Leigh wants to present the idea to the deaf community first but says it could benefit most cyclists.
"Having the words child, mother, father or brother on your back humanises cyclists."
She says this may make motorists treat cyclists more respectfully.
"Cars have the upper hand on the road but I just want to meet them halfway."
West Auckland club Department of Cycling president Jeff Webb says being on a bike is more challenging for the hearing-impaired.
He thinks Miss Leigh's idea would benefit all riders.
"I think it's a great idea but I'm not sure how it would work."
He says road safety for cyclists has improved in the past 10 years thanks to greater education.
"But all it takes is one bad decision to kill someone," he says.
Miss Leigh wants to prevent this happening and believes cyclists wearing words on their backs describing who they are will contribute.
Miss Leigh welcomes suggestions on how to go about implementing the idea. Email her at annimannijorj@ihug.co.nz if you can help.
Anni Leigh had several near-misses the first time she went cycling after losing hearing in her right ear.
They nearly put her off cycling for good.
But surviving a brain tumour taught the New Lynn resident to battle through any challenge that comes her way so the next day Miss Leigh wrote the word `deaf' in capital letters on the back of her high-visibility vest and braved the traffic again.
She was amazed by the difference it made.
"Cars went slower and wider when they were passing me, they just treated me with more respect," she says.
She thinks having the word `deaf' on her vest made people drive more safely around her.
Miss Leigh had an operation to remove a brain tumour in October last year and lost all the hearing in her right ear.
She felt depressed following the change.
"I was so ill prepared for it, it was horrendous," Ms Leigh says.
She moved to New Lynn from Green Bay a month ago and decided to take up cycling to improve her outlook and fitness.
"I wanted to do something for myself where I didn't have to talk to anyone else," she says.
Miss Leigh has cycled every day since October 28, the day she wrote deaf on her vest.
"I love it, it's been a turning point for me.
"I smile at everyone when I go out now."
She says being hearing-impaired is a challenge "but it doesn't make you stupid".
"If you can drive a car when you're deaf, why can't you cycle?"
Miss Leigh wants to present the idea to the deaf community first but says it could benefit most cyclists.
"Having the words child, mother, father or brother on your back humanises cyclists."
She says this may make motorists treat cyclists more respectfully.
"Cars have the upper hand on the road but I just want to meet them halfway."
West Auckland club Department of Cycling president Jeff Webb says being on a bike is more challenging for the hearing-impaired.
He thinks Miss Leigh's idea would benefit all riders.
"I think it's a great idea but I'm not sure how it would work."
He says road safety for cyclists has improved in the past 10 years thanks to greater education.
"But all it takes is one bad decision to kill someone," he says.
Miss Leigh wants to prevent this happening and believes cyclists wearing words on their backs describing who they are will contribute.
Miss Leigh welcomes suggestions on how to go about implementing the idea. Email her at annimannijorj@ihug.co.nz if you can help.
