IJJT500@INDYCMS.BITNET (Mike Wheeler) (03/07/91)
Index Number: 13831
I fallen behind in reading the digest, just caught up and I though I
would get all my posting done at once.
Firstly, the most common way of signing "BUS" is a finger-spelled
loan sign. That is spell it really fast (for you hearies thats faster)
than normal.
As far as signing and residential schools. I was in an interesting
situation. I was part of a research program when I was young. It was
the start of the total communication era. So I WAS taught sign first
then ASL. Then at the end of grade school I was mainstreamed though
profoundly Deaf. Because of close to 12 years of speach therapy a lot
of people don't realize I am Deaf, but ASL is still my first language.
It always will be. I am probably the only person to be mainstreamed
and fail a grade while being tested with a 160 I.Q. (mid-genius range)
Mainstreaming as most schools do it just doesn't work. At least not
where I went to school.
As far as Sirens go I live right next to one and I have a sound
sensor, similar to the ones to detect babies crying it works great for
me.
As far as the term used to refer to me, I prefer Deaf, thats
what I am both physically and culturally. Hearing Impaired is for
statiticians and numbers. You know what they say "there are liars,
d*mn*d liars, and then there are statitians" Besides I don't really
what to be a number or another statistic.
Actually I don't care when it comes to the phone relay what they
call me, but that's what I prfer. "Communative challenged" could work
To all the relay operators you are MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
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Mike | "Don't confuse your schooling with your Education"
Wheeler | - Albert Einstein