Hey Everyone-
So I have gotten some requests for me to put a blog up that lets you guys ask me questions/feedback about my experience growing up in a deaf world, as a child of deaf parents! So, feel free to comment and ask any questions you are interested in knowing about-no worries, I have gotten so many crazy questions I'm up for anything :)
I love the deaf, being around the deaf. Being at college has "deprived" me of that because I am used to being around the deaf so many hours every day. This is why this class makes me excited because it brings out the "deafness" in me.
Post questions! I would love to see what you all are curious about the deaf community from an inside perspective :)
Melinda
Thanks for the offer, Melinda. As a CODA, I'm sure you had to interpret for your parents while growing up. Here's a question for you: What do you see as the biggest need for improvement in the area of professional ASL interpreting? I'm interested in your perspective as a CODA with a rich background in the Deaf community. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePete-
ReplyDeleteThe biggest thing I see as an improvement need is the quality of interpreters out there. Many times we have run into interpreters who honestly do not know what they are doing to properly interpret to the deaf. I think that to go into the field of interpreting, you need to have a PASSION overall. Many people that go out into the workplace really don't have any other reason than to just get the paycheck. The deaf out there are really affected by this because they miss out because of someone else's motives.
It is not a scary world out there-just be passionate and have a passion to help the deaf understand in the world. Practice out there before you get the professional jobs, because you want to have gained the right amount of skill to be a "good" interpreter to the deaf. Don't be afraid to ask the deaf's opinion :)
And do your research-aim to interview at high ranking interpreting agencies. This will ensure that you are with a company that has high standards and are appreciated by the deaf.
Melinda-- I have really enjoyed reading your posts about your experiences and opinions growing up as a CODA. I was curious to know, when growing up (or even now) if you have ever been in a situation or over-heard others making unethical decisions or oppressing comments, and if so, what did you do in that situation?
ReplyDeleteMelinda thanks for being so open for these questions...I can't think of any intelligent or interesting ones now but its cool that you'll give us that avenue in case they come up later!
ReplyDeleteI can understand what you are saying. Even though I was raised by hearing parents, we are the total opposites but I understand your views. I like the way you are excited in being in this class because it 'brings out the deafness' for you. I love this class because I never had the opportunity to know about 'Deaf Culture' until I came to Eastern. I love all the ASL and everything associated with the Deaf Culture itself. I feel like I should have been allowed as a child to do both ASL and speech therapy when I attended school in Fort Wayne Indiana, but they (the school) made me choose only one and I knew my parents would never learn sign language. The school would not let learn both. So I had to choose against my instincts when I was a child. That was in the '60s, I believe. How did I know that at an early age? I struggled a lot in school growing up and I am really glad Eastern has a good background in Deaf Culture.
ReplyDeleteWow! lots of comments :)
ReplyDeleteAmy-
I come across that so many times growing up, and even now. Many people don't fully understand the deaf world and they do say very strange things that would not make any sense. Sometimes in those situations, I do get very frustrated and cannot see why everyone cannot see what I see. Those things vary from something common sense like, deaf people can't drive!, to I want to have a deaf kid when I am married-but others say "why are you wishing that on your child?". In certain situations it is especially hard, when the other person is set in their ways and don't try to see what it is like on the other side. There was a kid that was like that in my high school-we obviously didn't get along!
It does rial me up, and it is hard because I can't see their view I guess. But it leads to me having a challenge every one in a while! :)
Claire- Feel free to ask me anytime!! It's not like I don't get those all the time anyways :)
Mary-
ReplyDeleteWow, that is very interesting!! Yes, back then it was very hard. My mother grew up in the 60's and had to learn orally. It was not until she went to college at RIT (rochester institute of technology) that she really got involved in the deaf and started to learn sign language! When she told me that when I was little, I was shocked. She did have hearing parents and was the only one deaf in her family. She now is very good at lip reading, on top of ASL but she has come a long way. The culture for her was VERY hard at first..many deaf would be shocked that she did not know what they knew. but over time she practiced, and got involved to where she is a fully integrated deaf person.
With me-I could be deaf if I wanted to! I would learn new things, but at the same time, there is a lot that I would miss out on. I am excited to have you in our class and learn much more about the deaf and your own culture :)