- is a former civil servant
- was a Guide Leader in Belgium for three years
- has written a blog about receiving a cochlear implant, an electronic system that stimulates the auditory nerve, at http://www.yorkie67.blogspot.com/.
- was awarded the 20 year service award in March 2007
Guide Leader Rachel Fishwick, 41, has never let deafness stop her enjoying all guiding has to offer. She talks to Claudia Cahalane about how she has overcome her disability.
Have you been deaf all your life?
Yes, I was born deaf. I’ve always worn hearing aids and have tried all types, from traditional ones to wireless technology and digital hearing aids. I don’t know sign language, apart from the alphabet – I lip-read instead. In November 2006, I suffered tinnitus and the hearing in my left ear became much worse. But last October I had a cochlear implant operation and my hearing and speech have improved.
Has being deaf caused you any problems in guiding?
I joined 5th Bingley Brownies at the age of seven. The other Brownies knew I was deaf, and it wasn’t a problem at all. I wasn’t taught sign language so I just had to speak up! At Guides, we’d go camping but it was never an issue, until the evenings perhaps, when it was dark and listening and lip-reading became more difficult.
What about now you’re a Leader?
I have had no trouble at all with my unit, the 10th Mirfield Guides (Yorkshire). They’ve all learned to speak to me clearly and have always loved my ideas. My Guides have fundraised £110 for the Ear Trust as they know that I’ve improved because of the cochlear implant and I have raised £550.
Has your condition ever stopped you doing anything?
No way! I joined the Venture Scouts and gained the highest award, Queen’s Scout, and went to India and Pakistan to attend the 10th Asia Pacific Jamboree. I became a Guide Leader in 1987 and have had numerous roles since. I was even with the 1st Brussels Guides (BGIFC) for three years when my husband was working for NATO HQ in Belgium.
Have you been able to travel?
Oh yes, I’ve been to Australia on my own and spent three months in Borneo in the jungle with Raleigh International – I was the only deaf person out of 250 people but we all got on really well. Communication is not a problem for me – people learn to look at my face when they speak to me.
Do you think you’ve helped other people understand deafness?
Yes, I’m currently visiting units in our District to give them a talk about my deafness and teach them to do the manual alphabet. We also have one partially hearing Guide in our unit so we all know what to do – look at her when speaking and don’t hold your hand, or any object, in front of your face.
What do you do outside of guiding?
I love the outdoors, cross-stitching and watching my sons play hockey. I also love cooking, particularly Indian, Chinese and Thai food.
The Ear Trust is trying to raise £2 million to build a new centre in Bradford. Go to www.ycis.org.uk for more details.
This was published in the "Guiding" Magazine (August 2008 issue) which is a national magazine for all Leaders in the UK and in BGIFC.
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