Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (03/01/91)
Index Number: 13738
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Fran,
I don't know what happens to some Teachers Fran. I can tell you
that I recall very few of my childhood Teachers who actually
exhibited any real personal concern for their students and the
moreso for their troubled ones, of which group I belonged all my
childhood years in school.
As an adult looking back, I see the "good Teachers" as they shine
line beacons in my heart and memory while the "others" are simply
numbers I would rather forget, but some hurt me so badly, I cannot
really completely forget.
It bothered me greatly, to find so many ASL instructors /
interpreter level tutors who are too greatly impressed with their
own abilities and accomplishments to work as very effective
teachers. Like those from my past, the good ASL instructors I have
worked with, also shine, but the majority I have had, leave me with
nothing. (I mean imagine, that ASL instructor that was angered by
my hearing problems! Lord, how would he ever work with me now!)
So, I still continue to say that really good teachers are like rare
gems and they should be treasured by all.
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.orgJames.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack) (03/01/91)
Index Number: 13764
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Although there can be definite advantages to having a deaf sign language
instructor, one may get quality instruction from either a hearie or
a deafie teacher. the key is a person who has adequate training for
the job, compassion for the students, truly believes in what he or
she is doing, runs a well organized class that integrates practical
applications of the skills being taught and challenges students to
go a step or two beyond the stated goals of the class.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!300!14!James.Womack
Internet: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.orgJay.Croft@p0.f147.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Jay Croft) (03/01/91)
Index Number: 13767
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
I don't think I said that most ASL instructors are not hearing-impaired.
I don't have figures--they are probably impossible to find--but ASL
teachers, particularly in larger metropolitan areas, are usually deaf
persons themselves.
There are many kinds of sign language--ASL, PSE, Signed English (now
called "manually coded English"). Most deaf people abhor Signed English
and would disdain to teach it.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!147.0!Jay.Croft
Internet: Jay.Croft@p0.f147.n109.z1.fidonet.orgVixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (03/01/91)
Index Number: 13807
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Fran,
Well, as a Visually and hearing impaired person, it is probably no
surprise to anyone when I say that my sending skills are better
than my receiving skills. Such being the case, those who will only
sign with others who can sign at ninety miles per hour, often don't
have the time of day for me, whether deaf or hearing! Those types
exist on both sides. It hurt me at first, the moreso, since most of
my loss has occured over the last year and a half and as you can
imagine, I am still dealing with a lot of feelings and am
"hyper-aware" of how both deaf and hearing people deal with me. But
now, I am begining to believe that if a person has no time for me
because I am physically forced to be a "slow signer" then maybe
that person is'nt so hot in the first place and I don't need to
know them.
This is why I seem to detect that little bit of Elitism or Self
perceived superiorty when others berate those who are not as well
educated in sign as they might be. One may as well berate people
who are speech impaired or maybe a new American who has not learned
a great deal of the English language, because it might take a
little time and patience to communicate effectively. It seems a
form of bigotry to me.
I know that my instructors recommend "mirror practice" for those
who do not have the opportunity to use their ASL out in the real
world on a frequent basis. Unfortunately, while I do have some very
close up useable vision, mirrors will not work for me. It has been
suggested that then, I might just want to sign when talking even to
hearing people. I suppose that would be good as it would force me
into working with ASL syntax while speaking English. However, my
experience is that my hearing non signing friends are not very
comfortable with that. One of my closest friends // helpers who has
some limited signing ability himself is far to "self conscious" to
even use his own sign with me! Now, don't judge too harshly since
he really does have a good good heart but he is so self conscious
and I suspect that either his or my signing would bring him
unwanted notice.
Well as a "born hearie" , I am sure that I will not and do not sign
as though I were born to it either. In fact, I would'nt be
surprised if my ASL sometimes comes out more like Signed English at
times. Although, I try to use ASL syntax. For those who really wish
to communicate with us as people without first making a value
assesment of us based on our signing skills, I know that ASL not
being our native language or "signing with an accent" will be of
little import. I guess it is simply a matter of accepting people
for what they are.
I don't know Fran, since I go for long periods without using sign
and you must receive from Mary regularly, I would'nt be so sure
that my skills are up 100 per cent over yours! I somwetimes wonder
just how much I retain through long periods without using it. But
you defintely do lose it through nonuse! Thank goodness for
fingerspelling at such times!.
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
..."Quack quack!"
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.orgVixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (03/12/91)
Index Number: 13871
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Fran,
Yes, I think that is true, if a person does not have a care or good
thought fopr me, why should I then waste precious time and emotion
worrying about such in return? It is more difficult to forget
completely, those who hurt us directly, but I think it is important
to just forgive it and move on. I just wish forgetting was as easy
as forgiving. It is'nt always, is it!
Actually, I have been visually impaired for a good many years and
legally blind for as long to one degree and the next. To that part
of my life, I am pretty well adjusted.
However, the biggest amount of my hearing has been lost over the
last year and one half to two years. I came to the ABLED conference
with what was a "significant" hearing loss in my left ear. I had
just been tested and was without firm diagnosis as to what caused
that loss. However, when my left ear "really" began fading out of
the picture and then my right one (better) along with it, then came
the journey of more visits to the Hearing and Speech clinic and
doctors and my ear surgeon. In short, I experienced two rapid and
sharp drops in hearing levels. (it was at this time that my ear
surgeon started giving The Hearing and Speech Clinic, Voc Rehab and
Medi-Cal the word to get off their butts and help me.) My loss
continues.
As you probably already know, at this time, I wear BTEs on each ear
and use a booted FM system as well. (I had a PocketTalker quite
awhile back but went through that like Zip!)
As to whether or not I am getting any support or emotional help,
the answer is no, none whatsoever. I see no counselors, I am often
told that I must face my hearing loss and learn to deal with it on
my own and some just don't seem to have the time for me. So, as you
can imagine, I do have a lot of "pent up" emotion to carry around.
So far, SilentTalk and ABLED are the only place I have to turn to.
Yes, I understand your point regarding "disabled - Challenged." As
for myself, I "personally" do not think of disabled as a "negative"
state of being. Rather I think of it as just being a part of who I
am. In truth, it is not being "disABLED" that is the problem so
much as it seem a problem that abled persons "misunderstand"
disability. Although, I do enjoy a good dabate over
termininologies and labels. (re: My preference for being referred
to as Hearing Impaired rather than Hard of hearing.)
It is funny what Images we all hold when we hear certain names and
termininologies!
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
..."Hussien insane 'til the very end!"
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.orgElizabeth.Spiers@p0.f147.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Elizabeth Spiers) (03/12/91)
Index Number: 13876
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Boston also has some excellent ASL programs at Northeastern and Boston
Universities, among other places. Almost all of the teachers there are
deaf and come from deaf families, or have had a strong ASL background.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!147.0!Elizabeth.Spiers
Internet: Elizabeth.Spiers@p0.f147.n109.z1.fidonet.orgFran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) (03/12/91)
Index Number: 13881
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Vixen,
V> I just wish forgetting was as easy
V> as forgiving. It is'nt always, is it!
So true, no it isn't easy, the hardest part actually!
V> As to whether or not I am getting any support or emotional help,
V> the answer is no, none whatsoever. I see no counselors, I am often
V> told that I must face my hearing loss and learn to deal with it on
V> my own and some just don't seem to have the time for me. So, as you
V> can imagine, I do have a lot of "pent up" emotion to carry around.
V> So far, SilentTalk and ABLED are the only place I have to turn to.
While I'm glad that this medium has provided some support it
clearly can't possibly be enough! It seems like there must be
some kind of support group or something where people who've
experienced sudden sensory loss and are having to
cope...especially in this era of the 'support group'. If they can
have support groups for such trivial things one reads about. It
seems to me like the people who are saying 'no' are just not doing
their job in referring you. Even when my Mary developed diabetes
and siezure disorders when she reached puberty, a social worker
came to see us to see what kind of networking I had (family,
church etc to see me through--and her new 'disabilities' were
really not that bad compared to major sensory loss) Sometimes it's
in the form of a religious group that might provide that kind of
thing. I'm Catholic and they have weekends and retreats and
meetings for people who are dealing with the sudden loss of a
spouse (both from death or divorce) and I don't think you have to
be Catholic to partake. Even the cost is not a deterrent probably
if it's like marriage encounter--they just take up a collection in
the end, and if you can you do, if you can't that's OK and if you
can give extra to make up for the ones who can't you do that also.
Maybe you could give one of the churches a call and inquire what
was available?
Jay here on the echo is an Epicopalian priest--maybe he knows
something --Jay are ya reading? :-) The Episcopalian Church was
better than the Catholic in youth ministry (I thought) when I was
a teenager--maybe they have something going...
V> In truth, it is not being "disABLED" that is the problem so
V> much as it seem a problem that abled persons "misunderstand"
V> disability.
You said a mouthful there!
V> Although, I do enjoy a good dabate over
V> termininologies and labels. (re: My preference for being referred
V> to as Hearing Impaired rather than Hard of hearing.)
V> It is funny what Images we all hold when we hear certain names and
V> termininologies!
Yea, I knew just what you meant --that 'hard of hearing' did
conjur up similar images for me (while in fact Ann is right --it's
probably more accurate in some cases) but I probably saw the same
movies of the little old man with the ear-horn too! {Being 41
too--I probably was exposed to the same stuff :-) }
Anyway, I'd explore that possibility of a support group if you
can. It may mean some traveling even, but I think it would
definitely be worth it.
Take care!
--Fran
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman
Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org