Meet the Peterborough deaf-blind repairman who fixes bikes by touch

Peterborough Telegraph

While most people these days would struggle to fix a wheel on their bike, Graham Hicks can do it in less time than it takes to boil a kettle.  And he can do it just by touch.  The most remarkable thing about Graham though is not that he is a gifted cycle mechanic, but that he is deaf-blind.  “I’m totally deaf and almost totally blind,” he says: “I can barely see anything at all.”

Transcript

00:00 My name is Graham Hicks. I am totally defense-fluent.

00:11 I have been working in the bike trade for over 40 years.

00:22 I have had this business here called Hicks Cycles for over 14 years.

00:36 When it comes to work with his bikes, he's a perfectionist because he does everything by touch.

00:46 And he feels a lot more than most people see.

00:57 Having had paid customers who have had a problem but got what I had paid because it never worked so well.

01:19 I am looking for someone who can support me in my business and everyday activities.

01:30 Someone that is flexible, someone that is totally reliable and Graham can depend upon.

01:46 Graham needs to be sure that his assistant is going to turn up in the morning.

01:59 Someone who is flexible and believes in the empowerment of disabled people.

02:15 [Music]

02:25 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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