TRAVEL GUIDELINES

Travelling wisely and travelling well

by the Disfigurement Guidance Centre

Disfigurement has no frontier and affects men, women and children, equally, regardless of age or status. A person may be born with a problem, contract a disease, suffer an accident, or become the victim of violent injury.

In most cases, a person with a congenital defect (i.e. disfigured from birth) will have learned to handle other people's reactions. Therefore, the most vulnerable people are those who have recently gone through a serious change in their appearance. As figures indicate, their numbers are vastly in excess of those in various other areas of disadvantage whose needs receive a great deal of consideration.

It follows from this, that those who are involved with the travelling public will frequently come into contact with disfigurement, and research shows that many of them will be at a loss to know how best to deal with people with obvious disfigurements.

The following guidelines will enable those responsible for passenger comfort:

• to understand what could cause embarrassment and distress to passengers, of all ages, who are disfigured
• to avoid the not-so-obvious pitfalls that create tension and trigger aggressive responses
• to provide appropriate help for passengers, of all ages, who are disfigured
• to establish a pleasing atmosphere which will put all their passengers at ease and able to enjoy their journey to the full.

Guidelines

Do not over-react in any way. Most people who are disfigured expect, at some level, a reaction from other people. It is the degree of that reaction that is important. Do not stare if someone looks different; there is a big difference between looking and staring. However, do not avoid looking at the face.

Do not use mirrors to observe disfigured people, nor peep at them surreptitiously, as they will be highly and unusually alert to such behaviour.

Do not attempt or resort to appearance-based jokes. Firstly, the disfigured person has heard every joke (even your "original" one), and more importantly, this will cause great embarrassment and confusion both to the disfigured person and, also, to any others in his or her company.

Social strategies and skills

Use eye contact whenever possible. Smile as quickly as possible after your initial reaction to the situation.

Move quickly into normal conversation such as: "It's a good/bad day, isn't it?", or: "Where are you going?" or some other similar comment or question. Many disfigured people have developed expert social skills and strategies and may even start conversing with you to "break the ice" and permit both sides to relax. Make the effort to listen well, rather than interrupt the flow of talk with unnecessary comments.

Lines of communication

Always attempt to keep your relationship on a regular basis. Sympathy, over-concern, shock or undisguised horror are all responses to be avoided when in casual contact with a disfigured person. Any one of these may cause that person more hurt than you are aware of.

What every disfigured person desires is:

• to be treated like every one else
• to be appreciated for what they are
• to be seen as a person with a scar, and not a scar with a person attached

Disfigurement is very personal and individual, and there are no easy social structures where only casual or occasional contact is available. However, we can all do our best to make life a little easier and more comfortable, and give to others the same consideration that we would like to receive ourselves, in similar circumstances.

We hope that these guidelines will provide sensible advice for you and your passengers to travel wisely and travel well. Further details are available from the Disfigurement Guidance Centre.