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“I Was Refused Service At A Dunkin’ Donuts Because I’m Deaf”: Deaf Woman Tells Her Story And Sparks An Important Conversation
Interview
Shannon Heroux, 32, a TikTok creator dedicated to spreading awareness about deaf people, has recently released a very emotional video on her channel. In it, Shannon tearfully explained how a Los Angeles Dunkin’ Donuts refused to serve her because she was deaf and how painful this whole experience has been.
“I was confused, I couldn’t hear anything,” the woman recounted an incident that happened a while ago. “I wear a cochlear implant, but I was not wearing it at that time. I’ve never been refused service before, and it hurts,” she said with tears running down her face. According to her account, the manager refused to pull down a mask so she could lip read.
The video received 13.8 million views with the caption saying “I want to spread awareness on how this is not okay.” Immediately, it sparked a very important conversation and many people joined to show their support for Shannon.
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This woman has recently filmed an emotional video where she tearfully explained how Dunkin’ Donuts refused to serve her because she is deaf
“When I was four years old, I lost my hearing due to a birth defect called “Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (EVA),” Shannon Heroux told Bored Panda in an interview. “It’s a rare defect that allows brain fluid to leak into the ears drowning the hair cells. EVA is heavily associated with childhood hearing loss.’
Sadly, Shannon said that she has been treated poorly her entire life by those that didn’t understand hearing loss. “I’ve been called names, been discriminated against, and even ignored by the deaf community as well because I used hearing devices. I was also treated in ways that made people look at me differently just because I couldn’t hear,” she recounted.
However, it all changed for Shannon when she got the cochlear implant. “When I got the cochlear implant at 15, it was very life-changing and people treated me like their equals. High school was amazing because of that. Everyone knew me and saw the difference having the implant has made for me so I got treated even better because of that.”
@shannon_herouxI was refused service at a Dunkin Donuts because I’m deaf. I want to spread awareness on how this is not okay. Part one of the video. 💔♬ original sound – shannon_heroux
When it comes to the incident at Dunkin’ Donuts, Shannon was very confused about what happened. “I didn’t know how to feel. After I left the establishment, a huge wave of emotions came over me and I realized how I was discriminated against for my hearing disability.”
The incident made her realize how much discrimination has occurred during this pandemic and how much more of it she experienced the last 1.5 years compared to entire life. “It was time to step up and spread awareness and get people to understand that this is emotionally exhausting and unbelievably stressful on mental health,” Shannon told us.
Shannon then met with the Dunkin’ Donuts manager, who apologized and they talked through the possible solutions
Image credits: sionnan_x3
@shannon_herouxMy meeting with the franchise owner of the Encino DD. #fyp #deafawareness #dunkindonuts♬ original sound – shannon_heroux
Image credits: Chris Waits
Shannon explained that “being deaf is not a visible disability so no one should ever be judged or questioned about it.”
“I wish people would be more understanding that not every deaf person is equal in regards to their hearing loss. Many of us rely on lip reading and it’s how we communicate effectively with or without hearing devices. It’s important for those that are able to, take that little extra step to help create a good communicative environment to prevent any humility or discomfort for all.”
Moreover, deaf people are more capable than they are given credit for. “The masks are a big hindrance for communicating so just please be mindful if someone needs some extra assistance!”
The incident sparked a very important conversation and many people joined to share their experiences and show support for Shannon
What do you think ?
Lara Verne 3 years ago
I understand why manager was reluctant to pull his mask down, but refusing to write anything, when she said she can't hear him? D*ck.
Monday 3 years ago
Yeah, can't blame the employees for not taking off their masks, who knows what policies and punishments they content with along with the covid risk, but it would have taken next to no time to just write something down.
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Rens 3 years ago
Unfortunately this is happening all the time with people who have invisible disabilities. I live in the UK and I always wear a lanyard around my neck with my keys and some cards; my lanyard is green with sunflowers which represents invisible disabilities and the various cards I carry with me explain my invisible disabilities, as well as my contact person. I have a face mask exemption card due to my anxiety and breathing issues. I have mobility issues and sometimes I end up slurring my words as if I'm drunk because of my chronic fatigue. I know that my lanyard isn't guaranteed to make people understand but so far in the year I've been wearing, it people have been quite supportive and I have not yet had a nasty comment. The irony is, the most trouble I've had was from a resident in my building who was going around telling people that "someone like me" shouldn't be living here. A little bit of empathy goes a very long way. 💚🌻💚
Suz66 3 years ago
Omg! I'm sorry you experienced that. I too have invisible disabilities. I have autoimmune disease which creates crushing fatigue and pain. On a bad day, I need to use my parking placard. I only use it when I really can't walk far and need to open up my door wider because of pain. I get dirty looks sometimes. People are quick to judge.
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Robert T 3 years ago
Is this not disability discrimination? In the UK we have laws that protect against this and companies can get into serious trouble if they fail to comply. I'd throw the book at them.
fuggnuggins 3 years ago
@Rissie - she says she was refused service. Not that she couldn't make an order. She was presumably refused service based on that she was not wearing a mask. That they all had their faces covered, she could not read their lips to understand what the issue was. To have someone come at you irate about something you don't understand can be uncomfortable, maybe upsetting. Yet, here we are, in sophisticated society, mature adults with the wealth of human knowledge at our fingertips, enlightened and liberated, treating one another like animals do because we're having a state sanctioned and encouraged lymbic moment. Woman wants a coffee. The gall.
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Lara Verne 3 years ago
I understand why manager was reluctant to pull his mask down, but refusing to write anything, when she said she can't hear him? D*ck.
Monday 3 years ago
Yeah, can't blame the employees for not taking off their masks, who knows what policies and punishments they content with along with the covid risk, but it would have taken next to no time to just write something down.
Load More Replies... Rens 3 years ago
Unfortunately this is happening all the time with people who have invisible disabilities. I live in the UK and I always wear a lanyard around my neck with my keys and some cards; my lanyard is green with sunflowers which represents invisible disabilities and the various cards I carry with me explain my invisible disabilities, as well as my contact person. I have a face mask exemption card due to my anxiety and breathing issues. I have mobility issues and sometimes I end up slurring my words as if I'm drunk because of my chronic fatigue. I know that my lanyard isn't guaranteed to make people understand but so far in the year I've been wearing, it people have been quite supportive and I have not yet had a nasty comment. The irony is, the most trouble I've had was from a resident in my building who was going around telling people that "someone like me" shouldn't be living here. A little bit of empathy goes a very long way. 💚🌻💚
Suz66 3 years ago
Omg! I'm sorry you experienced that. I too have invisible disabilities. I have autoimmune disease which creates crushing fatigue and pain. On a bad day, I need to use my parking placard. I only use it when I really can't walk far and need to open up my door wider because of pain. I get dirty looks sometimes. People are quick to judge.
Load More Replies... Robert T 3 years ago
Is this not disability discrimination? In the UK we have laws that protect against this and companies can get into serious trouble if they fail to comply. I'd throw the book at them.
fuggnuggins 3 years ago
@Rissie - she says she was refused service. Not that she couldn't make an order. She was presumably refused service based on that she was not wearing a mask. That they all had their faces covered, she could not read their lips to understand what the issue was. To have someone come at you irate about something you don't understand can be uncomfortable, maybe upsetting. Yet, here we are, in sophisticated society, mature adults with the wealth of human knowledge at our fingertips, enlightened and liberated, treating one another like animals do because we're having a state sanctioned and encouraged lymbic moment. Woman wants a coffee. The gall.
Load More Replies...
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