Callie
Member
- Location
- California
I'm hearing disabled. Most loud noises, birds singing, dog barking, sounds that are high-pitched are in my hearing range, although I can't always understand what the sound is or where it's coming from. I can understand most people if we are in a quiet place and they are standing close and facing me when we converse, although I have to ask them frequently to repeat. I can read lips a tiny bit if no beard and people are speaking distinctly. I can also understand a tiny bit of Sign Language. Anything else, and I'm lost.
When strangers speak to me and I have to say, "I'm sorry but I'm hearing disabled and you have to look directly at me when you talk", I sometimes get rude answers, such as them raising their voice and almost shouting, "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?" and acting like I should think their joke is funny. Sometimes people are embarrassed and just turn away. There are other small incidents like that, but, let's get on to the happy one!!
Yesterday, I was at my volunteer job at the Antique Store where I polish silver. I took a short break and went outside and was pulling a few weeds at the side of the store. I heard someone shouting, "Hey!"
I stood up, looked around, and saw a young man standing about 15 feet away from me. He smiled and said something which I didn't catch. I walked over to him and gave my regular answer, about "..have to be facing me.."
The young man didn't hesitate or say "I'm sorry", like a lot of others do.. he looked right at me and once again asked his question, which was inquiring about a specialty shop located in the area. BUT, what thrilled my heart was that he spoke in a normal voice and used Sign Language as he asked his question! He didn't "sign" really fast, and omitted the small words such as a, the, is/etc. AND I could not only hear and understand what he was asking, BUT, I understood along with it, his signing!
I was thrilled.... and after I gave directions to the shop, I went inside the antique store and told my co-workers what had just happened. Then I told my son today and now, because Trav doesn't understand my babbling, I'm telling Senior Forum..
What a gift that was from that young man. He has no idea just how grateful I still am to him.
When strangers speak to me and I have to say, "I'm sorry but I'm hearing disabled and you have to look directly at me when you talk", I sometimes get rude answers, such as them raising their voice and almost shouting, "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?" and acting like I should think their joke is funny. Sometimes people are embarrassed and just turn away. There are other small incidents like that, but, let's get on to the happy one!!
Yesterday, I was at my volunteer job at the Antique Store where I polish silver. I took a short break and went outside and was pulling a few weeds at the side of the store. I heard someone shouting, "Hey!"
I stood up, looked around, and saw a young man standing about 15 feet away from me. He smiled and said something which I didn't catch. I walked over to him and gave my regular answer, about "..have to be facing me.."
The young man didn't hesitate or say "I'm sorry", like a lot of others do.. he looked right at me and once again asked his question, which was inquiring about a specialty shop located in the area. BUT, what thrilled my heart was that he spoke in a normal voice and used Sign Language as he asked his question! He didn't "sign" really fast, and omitted the small words such as a, the, is/etc. AND I could not only hear and understand what he was asking, BUT, I understood along with it, his signing!
I was thrilled.... and after I gave directions to the shop, I went inside the antique store and told my co-workers what had just happened. Then I told my son today and now, because Trav doesn't understand my babbling, I'm telling Senior Forum..
What a gift that was from that young man. He has no idea just how grateful I still am to him.
