Monday night was frustrating.... I went to a deaf meeting and I felt so alone. I walked in and there were probably thirty people sitting around and signing. I felt awkward and eventually tried to introduce myself to a group of young adults. I messed up the little sign language that I know, and as I tried to talk they requested that I not speak. It was very hard to keep from speaking, and not give up trying to talk to a deaf person. I met a girl name Elizabeth; she was very fast at signing but soon slowed down so I could try to understand. Even though my evening was frustrating at first, I soon began to feel comfortable with myself. At least now next week when I show up I will know someone.... that will be a big relief!!! :)
As a social worker I want to focus on the deaf community so I can better assist anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing. Knowing a culture is the only way someone can truly be reached, because people do not care what you have to say if they sense you don't understand them. I want there to be no misinterpretation of information between a client and myself.
I was searching for more information about the deaf community, and was curious to meet people online to follow their life and how they are coping with a cochlear implant. I came across a girl named Katie (http://katie-louisescochlearimplant.blogspot.com/2010/01/harmony-batteries.html) she was describing her day when her cochlear implant battery went out. I found that very interesting and wanted to learn more about her. I posted to her webpage the following: "Katie,
I was looking for more information on the deaf community and cochlear implants, and I wanted to thank you for creating your blog. I am interested to read all about your journey. I could not imagine what your day must have been like when your implant went out for the day. I myself have created a blog to discuss my journey of learning about the deaf community if you’re interested the website is www.kristina1109@blogspot.com
Stay strong and I hope to hear from you soon.
Kristina." So Katie, if you are reading this welcome to my blog!!!!
:) I am so excited about learning and hope to meet many people online to gain more knowledge.
In discussions of receiving a cochlear implant, a controversial issue is whether a person is defying ones culture. While some may argue that the cochlear implant is bad, some contend that is betters the lifestyle of the individual.
On http://www.cochlearwar.com/forum/parents_view.html this gives a hearing parents view that has had their child implanted with a cochlear implant. This mother describes the cochlear implant as an antibiotic, and I agree with her view. I am not saying there is anything wrong with being deaf, matter of fact I think it is wonderful. When the cochlear implant comes off or in Katie's case that I mentioned above (the battery goes dead) a person has to result back to American Sign Language. Why not embrace both worlds? A person should not be cast out of the deaf community because they received a cochlear implant. Just as a person who is learning American Sign Language to become part of the community or a translator may be accepted. Again I state, WHY NOT EMBRACE BOTH WORLDS!
Many may believe that I have no right to even mention my point of view based on my role in life; however that is why I am willing to take time out of my life to understand the deaf community. I want to be well versed, and have plenty of knowledge of the cochlear implant so that I can better assist my community as a social worker. Though I concede that I am an outsider in the deaf community, I still insist that I can help people of any sort as long as I can understand their background and culture. Understanding a person’s culture is going to drastically change how a situation is handled.
I have a tendency to ramble on issues I feel strongly for, so before I get carried away I want to learn more. So I welcome you to please come along with me in my journey to discover . . . this should be exciting.
OH BY THE WAY... anyone interested in giving their point of view feel free to leave any post or even a website where I can read your blog. I am interested in all sorts of lifestyles.
Hello. My name is Anthony and I'm a 36 year old single father of two. My eldest son, Matthew, lost a huge portion of his hearing many moons ago. The cause of it still perplexes doctors to this day. They chalked it up to a surreptitious infection of some sort (pretty vague, huh?). His right ear was so ravaged that putting a hearing aid in it would simply augment noise and make it worse. So, instead, we put one in his left ear, where he consistently tests moderately below normal (and he's had a myriad tests!!). Ever since his hearing loss, I found myself a little distanced from him, as you felt in your meeting. I also, like you, felt and continue to feel frustration for his predicament. He has recently lost his hearing device and my insurance won't replace it for a while (because of their inane guidelines) and I certainly can't afford to buy one with the limited funds I possess. I know that Matt knows how to secretly compensate for the hearing loss: the subtle turning of his head to hear better, to feign an affirmative response. You see, my son is normally very uncommunicative and has always been happy when he is left to himself, that's always been his modus operandi. But I often wonder how much of that sullenness,or should I say quietness, stems from the hearing loss. I truly applaud your ambitions and your actions. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteFirst off I wanted to applaud your bravery in going to a meeting alone! I know it is difficult to go into new situations alone and I could not imagine adding to that difficulties in communicating! I hope that as you truck along in your journey that is becomes easier, and that you are able to learn more signing! [i am teaching my 18-month old daughter how to sign, so know the frustrations in learning, as i am learning as i go along with her]. i am definitely interested in hearing more about your experiences, and i think that your dedication to this topic is a fairly good indicator that you will be make an amazing social worker!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristina,
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked my blogs. It is a great journey to be able to hear after being deaf all my like. I have learnt so much and still I haven't yet stop learning. I am happy to share my experince with you if you like and feel free to ask any questions.
I haven't updated my blogs recently though I do have a few new post coming up.
heres my e-mail; Bionic-katie@live.co.uk
Katie-Louise
Our blog is:
ReplyDeletewww.misskatsmom.blogspot.com