Can Deafblind people enjoy live sporting events too? Deafblind Victoria member Robert Lokmer shares his story in Auslan about getting close to the action at the Australian Open tennis tournament.
TRANSLATION:
Hello, it’s Robert Lokmer here from DBV.
I was looking around to book a ticket to the tennis. I called them, gave my concession card details and explained that I’m blind and I need to sit close to the court. They said I can sit at the front – and I can get a discount! It was only $144; the normal price would be $600. Not only did I get a good seat, but I also got a concession using my pension card. And the person with me got in for free because they are supporting and guiding me! We agreed to split the cost between us.
In the match, they hit so hard that it’s tricky to keep up. I was close enough to see them and it was really fun trying to follow the ball whizzing back and forth across the court. Sometimes the tall chair for the umpire blocked my view, but then the players changed sides, so I got to see them both. It was awesome watching them hit the ball in all different directions.
Novak Djokovic was serving really well in the men’s match. I watched a women’s match too with a Japanese player who was fantastic. We were there for five hours, from 7 at night to 1 o’clock in the morning! At that time the trains weren’t running and there was a long line of people waiting for a taxi to go home, so we walked to Flinders Street station and caught a taxi home from there.
This activity is supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.
