I don't know if this would apply to the deaf community but I would hope that it will give some of you some enlightment how to work with disabled people who may be deaf or hearing.
Now at some requests due to legal issues, I am not going to tell about what happened to me and what caused my permanent/temporary disabilities. When I get the ok, I will write it in a future article but not now. What I would like to talk about what I experienced AFTER I got out of the Spalding rehabitilational hospital.
I had two casts on broken legs (yeah, both), a neck collar and a neck artery clot. Spalding was wonderful. They provided interpreters for physical therapy or meetings with doctors or advocates.
What I WANT to talk about is what I have experienced as a dual disabled person, being deaf AND temporarily disabled in other words, I wasn't able to walk for a long long time. Even now I am using a cane. The injuries left too much damage that one cannot heal "just in a year or less." I found that I had to rely on people to help me go to bathroom, just for a piss or for a sponge bath, to help me get dressed and/or to help me get things I needed (such as food, books, DVDs, stuff to keep me busy.) Now if you think that sounds "relaxing and wonderfully lazy," I am telling you now, it WASN'T. By just a month, I was going nuts. I was bored out of my mind. I don't know but maybe it was because I don't LIKE watching television, I don't LIKE sitting around and doing nothing. Before the accident, I was very active in the community and in my personal life. I went back to college earlier than what folks expected. Yes, it meant that I had to go around in a wheelchair on the campus. I didn't mind that. Little I knew what was waiting for me!
Going around in a wheelchair was more challenging physically, mentally AND emotionally. I discovered personally that folks in wheelchairs are MORE invisible than I imagined. It's like the folks out there are saying to themselves, "don't see that woman in the wheelchair, let me get out of that way, I don't want her to brush by me." "If I don't meet her eyes, she'd not ask me for help." "Oh, how awful for her! She is miserable, I know!" I could go on but you get the idea.... There were a lot of folks that'd not even look at me even when I wheeled by; there were a lot of folks who'd LOOK at me as if I was a freak. Sometimes there were folks who thought to help me WITHOUT asking me if I needed help. I got furious with a man who tried to push me (in my wheelchair); it startled me so bad because I was pushing myself, and suddenly the wheelchair picked up speed than I was used to so I immediately knew someone was behind me, pushing me. I slammed down the brakes and he almost flipped over my chair/body. I had to twist my upper body to tell him "thanks, but no thanks!" Mind you, I wouldn't MIND getting help but I feel that one SHOULD ask "do you need help?"
I spoke with many folks in wheelchairs on campus (since now I were at "their eye levels") and they expressed that same thought; to ASK them, instead of pushing help upon them! I also found out that being in a wheelchair can be also hazardous. Twice I had fallen out of the wheelchair because I was too close to the curb (because some students wouldn't make space for me.) One basement classroom was moved to the main floor right away once the professor found out that I was in a wheelchair. Seems that if there was a fire, there'd be no chance for me to get out of the building timely!
Then I got a motorized scooter. The interpeters started to joke that the cops should ticket me for speeding! (20mph isn't so bad but hey, better that than going slow!) Once or twice, I did almost run over someone at the corner because we didn't see each other coming up the corner! But the motorized scooter was much BIGGER than the wheelchair and it caused obstacles, such as not fitting even in HANDICAPPED restrooms or classroom doors! I had to ask for an interpreter or a student to help me hobble into a toilet section or the classroom, leaving the scooter out in the hall (thankfully it was a scooter that can be locked up, like a car.) But it also made me realize two things:
1) Me being deaf AND using a scooter/wheelchair, if there's no interpreter, how could I go down stairs in fire emergencies?
2) Same thing, what if I got stuck somewhere if the handicap van doesn't show up? How do I call someone for help? (that time I didn't have a pager.)
I had encountered both situations and it was very scary. In the fire situation, two guys were nice enough to help carry me down but I had to leave the scooter up there in the third floor. Twice, the handicap van didn't show up at 9pm as it were supposed to come. The first one, the buildings were all closed. The last evening class professor noticed I was stuck, he was nice enough to call the handicap van for me and stayed with me 'til the van showed up. The second time, I didn't have that luck! I had to wait in anxiety and had tears in my eyes 'til a janitor showed up at 945pm and spotted me. He called cops and called the handicap van. Finally a van showed up at 1030pm.
By the time I got to use the crutches, I had gotten used to the "invisibility" of being a disabled person. Now I found out that one using crutches are more dangerous than I expected! There are a lot of things out there that can easily trip someone with crutches! An excited dog, some students playing frisbee, someone pushing a chair out and not seeing me coming, the "rush hour" of students between classes as well as puddles in restrooms, ice on sidewalks and mud in the parking lots. Dangers! It was only when I get to sit, I'd release a long and exhausted sigh in relief that I'm safe until it's time to encounter the obstacles again an hour or so later!
Now I am using a cane and it's not so bad, thro I do have to deal with an excited dog, ice on sidewalks or extreme winds now and then. I am even thankful that I graduated last semester so I'd not have to deal with extra obstacles!
Nevertheless, all that experiences had taught me many things. I have better respect for people in wheelchairs- they have to deal with obstacles, even in areas that are NOT handicapped-accessed. They prefer that we see them as people, not "things". I have even got LOOKS from parents with kids as "don't come close, I don't want my kid to get what you get!"
I learned that disabled people don't WANT pity or even sympathy. We deserve dignity and respect. If I could have a dime for everytime I heard "I'm so sorry!" "Must be awful for you!" "You have the right to be sad!" "I know exactly how you feel," trust me, I'd be a multibillionaire by now! DON'T PRESUME to KNOW how we feel, think or experience!!! If you want to know how to interact with disabled folks, ASK them, talk with them NORMALLY and don't treat them "differently."
So, the bottom line is.... it doesn't matter if you're deaf or hearing- just please...Treat the folks in wheelchairs, crutches, canes or having physical or mental disabilities as if you'd WANT to be treated. Respect them as you'd WANT to be respected. ASK them, instead of presuming they need help!
okay..now I'd need help getting off the soapbox here, please?
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
"An Ordinary Man"
I finished reading this book, "An Ordinary Man" written by Paul Rusesabagina last night. It left me with a lot of things whirring through my mind. Disgust and hope, shock and determination, despair and survival were just words as Rusesabagina said and I saw what he meant by that. Words can be nothing and everything. Words can be weapons and safety. He used words to save more than a thousand Rwanda victims in his hotel (in which he inspired the movie "Hotel Rwanda" which is mostly true as event occured.) He described how words can cause massacres (on radios and newspapers in Rwanda) and how words can help save people. He said it very well,
"All of these comes down to a failure of words. And this is what I want to tell you: Words are the most affective weapons of death in man's arsenal. But they can also be powerful tools of life. They may be the only ones."
He tried to describe that he wasn't the only hero. Many other folks tried to save people in the madness during the 100 days. April 6 to July 4, 1994, 800,000 folks were killed. 8000 lives a day. More than 5 lives every minute. Imagine that. Yet a priest fought to keep his children (2000) alive in the church and he managed. A man kept two dozen folks hidden in his farm, covering them with dirt and growing plants. There were more than just Paul, yet his story was the most noticed because the location was well known to the diplomats, politicans, UN staff and it was next to the airport. He tried to explain why people tried to save people, not because of money (He didn't accept any money to protect them, figuring they'd NEED that money for themselves trying to get out of the country.) This paragraph says it precisely.
"This is why I say that the individual's most potent weapon is a stubborn belief in the triumph of common decency. It is a simple belief, but it is not at all naive. It is, in fact, the shrewdest attitude possible. It is the best way to sabotage evil."
I highly recommend that you read it. The movie and the book are similiar but that the movie gave more details than the book. But they both can touch you and leave you with a feeling that even in face of evil, hope survives.
"All of these comes down to a failure of words. And this is what I want to tell you: Words are the most affective weapons of death in man's arsenal. But they can also be powerful tools of life. They may be the only ones."
He tried to describe that he wasn't the only hero. Many other folks tried to save people in the madness during the 100 days. April 6 to July 4, 1994, 800,000 folks were killed. 8000 lives a day. More than 5 lives every minute. Imagine that. Yet a priest fought to keep his children (2000) alive in the church and he managed. A man kept two dozen folks hidden in his farm, covering them with dirt and growing plants. There were more than just Paul, yet his story was the most noticed because the location was well known to the diplomats, politicans, UN staff and it was next to the airport. He tried to explain why people tried to save people, not because of money (He didn't accept any money to protect them, figuring they'd NEED that money for themselves trying to get out of the country.) This paragraph says it precisely.
"This is why I say that the individual's most potent weapon is a stubborn belief in the triumph of common decency. It is a simple belief, but it is not at all naive. It is, in fact, the shrewdest attitude possible. It is the best way to sabotage evil."
I highly recommend that you read it. The movie and the book are similiar but that the movie gave more details than the book. But they both can touch you and leave you with a feeling that even in face of evil, hope survives.
Friday, March 16, 2007
What else? Deafness and domestic violence.
Reading Mishka Zena and Berke Outspoken's blogs about Tallie's death (and domestic violence)I had to say something. I am a volunteer for an agency in which I will not name to protect my identity. (Sure you know my picture but you don't know my real name and that's the main goal.) Anyway, back to the point. I think Berke has it close on why the media jumped on Wright case but not Lambert case; however I think it is because of two things...
1) Lambert is a guy (white) and Tallie was a woman. According to this site, http://www.now.org/issues/violence/stats.html, four women are killed everyday related to domestic violence. The sentence lasts at "the euphemism for murders and assaults by husbands and boyfriends." Nothing about same-sex relationships or lesbian relationships. I know there are DV murders of African-american and American-asian women. However, Daphne Wright is a lesbian, an African-american AND deaf hence, the media jumps on the boat.
2) It is in South Dakota. Come on, that's where they tried to ban abortion (all types) and the people had to come to the voting polls last November to say NO. South Dakota isn't like New York, California, Colorado, Illinois or Florida. I am not saying it is backwater, but many people would think that!
Now, I want to talk about domestic violence in the deaf community. I hate to say it but it DOES exist. Not many folks realize it or even WANT to keep their heads in the ground.
I have seen some verbal abuse "You're stupid," "You don't know how to be responsible" "You always run to your mommy," etc. Heck, I had EVEN seen one guy telling his girlfriend front of EVERYONE at Six Flags Elitches two years ago, "Your butt is SO big! How do you fit it through the door." To my shame, no one stood up for that poor woman(I didn't because I think I was too nervous about the guy, he was 6 feet tall and somewhat muscular.) I have always wondered how she is now and if she is all right. (Hey, if you know who I am talking about, leave a comment! The comments don't show up right away, they are private until I review them for moderation. So I don't have to publish your comment if that is your concern.) Many folks say "the deaf community is very outspoken and very blunt, so how would I know if they are just being blunt or practicing verbal abuse??" True... then you need to ASK yourself, would you ACCEPT that verbal abuse? Do you feel hurt by the comments? Do you find yourself afraid to speak back? Do you look away? That are your answers then; it IS verbal and emotional abuse. You know what physical abuse look like so I don't have to expand on that.
I have seen some DVDs and videos sent from other agencies what domestic violence could look like and what deaf individuals may encounter (as obstacles as in agencies not knowing how to use TDDS or how to work with deaf victims.) Recently I saw a new DVD sent by Deafhope and I HIGHLY recommend everyone to see it! My memory is "off" at this time, but I think the title says "Til Death do (Domestic violence) we part." It gives ideas what domestic violence LOOKS like (physical, emotional, mental and verbal abuse.) What really touched me was the ending where they had photos of deaf women who died at hands of boyfriends or husbands. It made me realize something, while recognizing some individuals in photos, that the Deaf world IS smaller and that we all need to work together on learning how to identify domestic violence and how to prevent it. Miskena already gave info on agencies that DO work with deaf victims. I want to add that there ARE more agencies out there that can work with deaf victims but we need to work with those agencies to teach them HOW to interact and assist deaf victims!
1) Lambert is a guy (white) and Tallie was a woman. According to this site, http://www.now.org/issues/violence/stats.html, four women are killed everyday related to domestic violence. The sentence lasts at "the euphemism for murders and assaults by husbands and boyfriends." Nothing about same-sex relationships or lesbian relationships. I know there are DV murders of African-american and American-asian women. However, Daphne Wright is a lesbian, an African-american AND deaf hence, the media jumps on the boat.
2) It is in South Dakota. Come on, that's where they tried to ban abortion (all types) and the people had to come to the voting polls last November to say NO. South Dakota isn't like New York, California, Colorado, Illinois or Florida. I am not saying it is backwater, but many people would think that!
Now, I want to talk about domestic violence in the deaf community. I hate to say it but it DOES exist. Not many folks realize it or even WANT to keep their heads in the ground.
I have seen some verbal abuse "You're stupid," "You don't know how to be responsible" "You always run to your mommy," etc. Heck, I had EVEN seen one guy telling his girlfriend front of EVERYONE at Six Flags Elitches two years ago, "Your butt is SO big! How do you fit it through the door." To my shame, no one stood up for that poor woman(I didn't because I think I was too nervous about the guy, he was 6 feet tall and somewhat muscular.) I have always wondered how she is now and if she is all right. (Hey, if you know who I am talking about, leave a comment! The comments don't show up right away, they are private until I review them for moderation. So I don't have to publish your comment if that is your concern.) Many folks say "the deaf community is very outspoken and very blunt, so how would I know if they are just being blunt or practicing verbal abuse??" True... then you need to ASK yourself, would you ACCEPT that verbal abuse? Do you feel hurt by the comments? Do you find yourself afraid to speak back? Do you look away? That are your answers then; it IS verbal and emotional abuse. You know what physical abuse look like so I don't have to expand on that.
I have seen some DVDs and videos sent from other agencies what domestic violence could look like and what deaf individuals may encounter (as obstacles as in agencies not knowing how to use TDDS or how to work with deaf victims.) Recently I saw a new DVD sent by Deafhope and I HIGHLY recommend everyone to see it! My memory is "off" at this time, but I think the title says "Til Death do (Domestic violence) we part." It gives ideas what domestic violence LOOKS like (physical, emotional, mental and verbal abuse.) What really touched me was the ending where they had photos of deaf women who died at hands of boyfriends or husbands. It made me realize something, while recognizing some individuals in photos, that the Deaf world IS smaller and that we all need to work together on learning how to identify domestic violence and how to prevent it. Miskena already gave info on agencies that DO work with deaf victims. I want to add that there ARE more agencies out there that can work with deaf victims but we need to work with those agencies to teach them HOW to interact and assist deaf victims!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Interpreters and Tattoos
Earlier today I was asked *again* by mother if I'd think about laser removal of my tattoos, and I said "NO" *again*. That reminded me of the day she found out about my tattoo and I had a quirky smile. So I thought to tell you all what happened.
It was planned for mother to stay with me while after gallbladder removal for a few days. So we all enjoyed London, England for two weeks and then she stayed here, instead of flying on to Colorado. Next day we came early to the hospital for pre-surgery preparations, and to my delight, there was an interpreter (I forgot to request one.) Me dressed in a back-open hospital gown, I was getting nervous. The doctor came in with some other staff. With the interpreter there, he was explaining how the surgery will go. Mother was in the back, so she'd not block my view of the interview.
Then the doctor said, "Don't worry,I will not touch your tattoo."
The interpreter pointed over heads, "Your mom asked, "WHAT tattoo?"
I was like "oh shit" mentally. I was preparing to say something when the doctor turned to tell mother, "she has this lovely tiny fox footprint on her stomach. Nothing for you to be upset about."
Interpreter included facial expression and "attitude" of mother, "I don't CARE.. Remove that tattoo in the surgery!"
I thought it hilarious for the doctor and mother to "argue" while the interpreter tried to keep up with them. In the end, mother backed off when I shot, "it's MY body and MY skin. Get over it!" And the interpreter even stressed how I said it!
In the end, the doctor kept his promise, he didn't touch my tattoo while giving me five nice cuts above my stomach!
It was planned for mother to stay with me while after gallbladder removal for a few days. So we all enjoyed London, England for two weeks and then she stayed here, instead of flying on to Colorado. Next day we came early to the hospital for pre-surgery preparations, and to my delight, there was an interpreter (I forgot to request one.) Me dressed in a back-open hospital gown, I was getting nervous. The doctor came in with some other staff. With the interpreter there, he was explaining how the surgery will go. Mother was in the back, so she'd not block my view of the interview.
Then the doctor said, "Don't worry,I will not touch your tattoo."
The interpreter pointed over heads, "Your mom asked, "WHAT tattoo?"
I was like "oh shit" mentally. I was preparing to say something when the doctor turned to tell mother, "she has this lovely tiny fox footprint on her stomach. Nothing for you to be upset about."
Interpreter included facial expression and "attitude" of mother, "I don't CARE.. Remove that tattoo in the surgery!"
I thought it hilarious for the doctor and mother to "argue" while the interpreter tried to keep up with them. In the end, mother backed off when I shot, "it's MY body and MY skin. Get over it!" And the interpreter even stressed how I said it!
In the end, the doctor kept his promise, he didn't touch my tattoo while giving me five nice cuts above my stomach!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Silent Rituals
I learned of silent rituals while attending Emunimon(please correct me, I am suspecting I’m misspelling it) a Maryland Pagan expo/workshops in 1998 or 1999. It was nice enough of the expo to provide ASL interpreters when I asked! I looked through the schedule of workshops and I thought ‘Silent Ritual’ sounded intriguing. I attended the workshop and I immediately knew it was ideal for deaf pagans! This activity includes mime, gesturing, facial expressions and body language. It can be used anywhere, from the private home to public hotels and no one would be the wiser! The ritual does not require any tools but your own imagination.
How does it work? Pagans would know the opening ritual in which one set up a circle. Now, do it without ANY tools. Visualize the tools in your hands, imagine they are in your hands or at your feet. You can visualize the circle developing as you draw it. Elements can be ‘shaped’ with your imagination as you call upon them. I use the sign “Fire” in a musical style for the element fire; gesture crumbles of dirt breaking down and falling from my hands referring to Earth; move as if the wind was dancing with me for Air and visual Water as waves blowing upon me, all as like I am writing a poem in motion. That’s the intention of silent ritual. I know how often pagans could run forth and back trying to find specific candles, certain cauldrons, right herbs, etc for rituals they may have in mind. It can be an headache, especially if you do not have tools right now or that you’re at a place that you feel you couldn’t practice your religion in public. Gods know there are people that get frightened seeing a dagger next to a cauldron and wonder, ‘what is all this for??!” The ritual reduces the potential over-reaction of anyone who may come upon the activity. Don't have to collect this candle, this bowl, that knife, that jewelry...it's just all the body and imagination that is needed for the silent ritual.
I would love to do a video to give examples what silent rituals could look like but I don’t’ know anyone who has a camcorder. Sorry!
How does it work? Pagans would know the opening ritual in which one set up a circle. Now, do it without ANY tools. Visualize the tools in your hands, imagine they are in your hands or at your feet. You can visualize the circle developing as you draw it. Elements can be ‘shaped’ with your imagination as you call upon them. I use the sign “Fire” in a musical style for the element fire; gesture crumbles of dirt breaking down and falling from my hands referring to Earth; move as if the wind was dancing with me for Air and visual Water as waves blowing upon me, all as like I am writing a poem in motion. That’s the intention of silent ritual. I know how often pagans could run forth and back trying to find specific candles, certain cauldrons, right herbs, etc for rituals they may have in mind. It can be an headache, especially if you do not have tools right now or that you’re at a place that you feel you couldn’t practice your religion in public. Gods know there are people that get frightened seeing a dagger next to a cauldron and wonder, ‘what is all this for??!” The ritual reduces the potential over-reaction of anyone who may come upon the activity. Don't have to collect this candle, this bowl, that knife, that jewelry...it's just all the body and imagination that is needed for the silent ritual.
I would love to do a video to give examples what silent rituals could look like but I don’t’ know anyone who has a camcorder. Sorry!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Cadbury eggs, your name is LOVE.
I have to make a confession. I do have an addiction. If this item is available, I'd grab all I can get and afford. When it's not available, I crawl up the walls and whine. It is.... CADBURY EGGS.
The friends know me too well to the point that if I say I have "some" eggs, it means I have 30-48 eggs somewhere hidden in my place. So I'd NOT have to share 'em. When the Easter season ends, I'd go to stores all over to find last eggs! When all eggs run out, I'd stalk them out on internet at online stores, especially London-located stores (since cadbury eggs are available year-long there!)
According to those friends, they are waiting for me to pop out cadbury bunnies anytime. "Cadbury muncher" "Cadbury lick" "Cadbury Addict" "Eggsucker" are some of the nicknames they have for me especially during Easter time and when I would confess I have eggs.
I found this blog and when I read the article, I went "YES! That's how it is for me too!!!!" http://www.patrickmaloney.net/?p=798 For him/her, it'd come out in Febuary but it's January for me. I'm like "nah, nah, nah!! I got 'em earlier!!
Although I SHOULD admit.... (and if friends read this, they're gonna come here and stalk those poor eggs to remove)..I got a package of 48 eggs from an online store in late December. SHHHHHH.
Before folks wonder "doesn't she gain weight eating those over-dosed sugar-rush eggs??" Weird enough, no. I could eat six eggs a day and not gain an ounce. I believe it is because I walk, use excerise bike and eat healthy meals (beside the candy.) Do I ever get sick of them? Yes. It DOES happen but it also doesn't stop me buying more eggs. It's like as I said...an addiction. Someone compared cadbury eggs to heroin addiction- more you resist, more you crave it.
:::peeling a foil off the egg::: Savoring and munching on the chocolate cover::::licking the white creme::: Wot? I'm not finished! All I can say in my defense is..I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't use drugs. I don't even drink coffee daily. So let me have my vice and it's more healthier! (I think.)
Have a good cadbury creme egg!!
The friends know me too well to the point that if I say I have "some" eggs, it means I have 30-48 eggs somewhere hidden in my place. So I'd NOT have to share 'em. When the Easter season ends, I'd go to stores all over to find last eggs! When all eggs run out, I'd stalk them out on internet at online stores, especially London-located stores (since cadbury eggs are available year-long there!)
According to those friends, they are waiting for me to pop out cadbury bunnies anytime. "Cadbury muncher" "Cadbury lick" "Cadbury Addict" "Eggsucker" are some of the nicknames they have for me especially during Easter time and when I would confess I have eggs.
I found this blog and when I read the article, I went "YES! That's how it is for me too!!!!" http://www.patrickmaloney.net/?p=798 For him/her, it'd come out in Febuary but it's January for me. I'm like "nah, nah, nah!! I got 'em earlier!!
Although I SHOULD admit.... (and if friends read this, they're gonna come here and stalk those poor eggs to remove)..I got a package of 48 eggs from an online store in late December. SHHHHHH.
Before folks wonder "doesn't she gain weight eating those over-dosed sugar-rush eggs??" Weird enough, no. I could eat six eggs a day and not gain an ounce. I believe it is because I walk, use excerise bike and eat healthy meals (beside the candy.) Do I ever get sick of them? Yes. It DOES happen but it also doesn't stop me buying more eggs. It's like as I said...an addiction. Someone compared cadbury eggs to heroin addiction- more you resist, more you crave it.
:::peeling a foil off the egg::: Savoring and munching on the chocolate cover::::licking the white creme::: Wot? I'm not finished! All I can say in my defense is..I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't use drugs. I don't even drink coffee daily. So let me have my vice and it's more healthier! (I think.)
Have a good cadbury creme egg!!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Aspirations encouraged by an encounter with a Deaf teacher.
When I read the article about Susan Elliot, I wasn't surprised about her accomplishments. She was one of teachers I had while I was in high school. Damned proud of her!
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_5319432,00.html
I grew up with the belief that once deaf persons become adults, they are put somewhere or put to sleep. (Odd thought, I know) But that belief was because I NEVER had seen a DEAF ADULT as a child and even in adolescene. So it was all a mystery to me. Susan Elliot was the first deaf adult I had ever encountered. I'm telling you, worlds opened to me when I met her! I asked her about her schooling, colleges, her goals (teaching.) She was a spark of life; you could say she brightened any room she comes in. I was there when she found out she would get the US West teacher award. Reporters came to the high school to talk with her and I realized then there that if she can be successful, so can deaf people! I found hope blooming within me.
I didn't stay with her all day in the deaf classroom because I was too advanced in education. I attended classes with interpreters but I saw her everyday, especially when it was time for homeroom. She was there when I had flashbacks of a childhood trauma; I started seeing a counselor with her encouragementand her pushing my mother to let me see a deaf counselor, no less! Another deaf adult!
I was aspiring to be a teacher like her. Knowing that deaf adults do live and that they can be successful, I joined the drama club, the biology club, the Future Teachers organization and debate club. I set up plans to go to college and I was accepted. It was then when I found out I don't like kids! Hahaha! I do like them but not enuff to teach them! I wasn't sure. It was when I remember the deaf counselor. I admit, it took years before I realized that mental health was right for my career after I worked at two organiations working with deaf clients with mental disorders! What can I say? Better late than never!
Nevertheless, it was Susan Elliot (thro I knew her with a previous last name, what do you expect..she was a Miss, not a Mrs when I met her!) that encouraged me to dare to DREAM. To KNOW that I can be successful. To realize that I can help people (thro in a different path than hers.) Thanks, Susan!
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_5319432,00.html
I grew up with the belief that once deaf persons become adults, they are put somewhere or put to sleep. (Odd thought, I know) But that belief was because I NEVER had seen a DEAF ADULT as a child and even in adolescene. So it was all a mystery to me. Susan Elliot was the first deaf adult I had ever encountered. I'm telling you, worlds opened to me when I met her! I asked her about her schooling, colleges, her goals (teaching.) She was a spark of life; you could say she brightened any room she comes in. I was there when she found out she would get the US West teacher award. Reporters came to the high school to talk with her and I realized then there that if she can be successful, so can deaf people! I found hope blooming within me.
I didn't stay with her all day in the deaf classroom because I was too advanced in education. I attended classes with interpreters but I saw her everyday, especially when it was time for homeroom. She was there when I had flashbacks of a childhood trauma; I started seeing a counselor with her encouragementand her pushing my mother to let me see a deaf counselor, no less! Another deaf adult!
I was aspiring to be a teacher like her. Knowing that deaf adults do live and that they can be successful, I joined the drama club, the biology club, the Future Teachers organization and debate club. I set up plans to go to college and I was accepted. It was then when I found out I don't like kids! Hahaha! I do like them but not enuff to teach them! I wasn't sure. It was when I remember the deaf counselor. I admit, it took years before I realized that mental health was right for my career after I worked at two organiations working with deaf clients with mental disorders! What can I say? Better late than never!
Nevertheless, it was Susan Elliot (thro I knew her with a previous last name, what do you expect..she was a Miss, not a Mrs when I met her!) that encouraged me to dare to DREAM. To KNOW that I can be successful. To realize that I can help people (thro in a different path than hers.) Thanks, Susan!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Looks like a busy week.
Will be off to a two-day HIV training which is Client-Centered 1:1 Interventions starting tomorrow and finishing Wednesday. 9am to 5pm, which would be very tough on my leg. If I sit too long, my leg stiffens up. (Slow recovery from surgery and damage from hit-and-run.) I had taken that training before last year or was that two years ago? I had lost track, but they messed up the certificat, putting down Jules Wolfers instead of my real name! :p They hadn't renewed the certificate so I had to take it again. That's all right since it'd be a nice refresher class for me! I will also take other six classes..can we say BUSY? The classes are Mental Health & HIV Prevention, Effective Referrals, STDS for Non-Clinicians, Cultural Competence Level 1, 2 and 3. And no, I'm not being paid to attend. It's volunteering and I figure taking those trainings will look excellent on my resume especially certificates I can include in the resume. I gotta do all this because it's my dream to be a mental health counselor/case manager for deaf clients with HIV in the future.
Someone asked me WHY I want to work with deaf clients with HIV. "What's wrong with working with mental ill clients, mental retarded clients or clients that may have problems like addictions, domestic violence or having high-risk activities?" Who says I don't want to work with those clients? I didn't say that. I discovered that there is too few counselors who can sign out there in the United States. It's harder to find counselors who may have experiences in this or that.. There are addiction counselors, there are domestic violence counselors, there are clinical psychologists, you get the idea. It is high likely that when one NEEDS help in a certain area of mental health, you won't find a counselor who can sign. For example, if one needs to go to a 12-step AA group, there is a chance there would be no counselor who could sign. At most, there'd be an interpreter (that is if the organization that'd call up one.) So... the bottom line is..counselors who can sign will need to be generalists. What is that? Let me read from the dictionary:
Generalist: : one whose skills, interests, or habits are varied or unspecialized.
It means that in case of mental health, the counselor would need to have basic knowledge of addiction, high risk adolescence, mental disorders, autism, domestic violence, family violence, PTSD, crisis intervention, etc, etc. I had already taken PTSD and Crisis intervention classes. I worked for an organization that focuses on domestic violence. I also worked for a non-profit organization that worked with deaf clients with mental retardation and other disabilities, as well as an organization working with deaf clients with mental disorders. In March, I will take a two-day workshop on addictions. More knowledge the counselor can collect in her repertory, the more resourceful she can be for the clients and herself.
However, HIV/AIDS have been my passion for a long time as I could remember. Rene (name changed to protect his family) took me into the world of HIV/AIDS. I remember as if it happened yesterday, Rene came to me in 1991. He said that he was afraid to go to the doctor to ask for a HIV test. I asked him why he would even think about that. He said a guy told him that he was HIV positive and that since Rene had sex with him, he should go take a test. I agreed to go with him to a doctor for a blood test. I remember two weeks later or so, I remember how our hearts pounded that I could even feel vibrations in my teeth. The doctor was even considerate of getting an interpreter that day. He told him that the test was positive for HIV but encouraged him to come back in six months. We both were stunned. He asked the doctor more about HIV but the interpreter used a lot of medical terms that went over his and my heads. After the appointment, he asked me more about HIV and I have to tell you, readers, I had NO idea but that HIV kills. It was a bogeyman to me. In a few days, we went to the library to look up and there were a lot of medical terms that I had to read forth and back (looking up dictionary, reading book, then back to dictionary). Due to Rene's 4th grade reading level, he couldn't "get it." So I would read and then translate into ASL for him. My heart was broken for him over much that I am even surprised that it's still beating after all this breaking for months. With him, I learned about what HIV/AIDS means, what it does and doesn't, how it affects the immune system and that it wasn't HIV that'd kill. It's complications that comes to a weakned immune system, hence AIDS with complications.
He had died 4 years ago but bless his heart, he refused to let HIV control his life as possible. He went hiking in the Rocky Mountains and surfing in Hawaii all the time when he felt good. I saw how it was very tough for him, not from the deaf community but from the medical community. It was tough to find an interpreter who knows medical and sexual terms and not spell them out! Can you imagine one going "A-N-A-L-S-E-X" instead of signing it??!! Many times he would show up at the doctor's office to find that there would be no intepreter. Often he would write forth and back and then bring notes to me to read and help interpret words/terms he didn't understand. I decided to do more research on HIV/AIDS myself and I find it an amazing 'machine.' It is a destructive program if you will. There are viruses and bacteria out there that would keep their host alive while eating them, yet this HIV virus killing its own host. This virus has no judgement on who gets it. Women, men, kids, adolescenes, hearing, deaf, catholics, jews, pagans, African-american, hispanic, white, it has no racism, no sexism, no audism, nothing against 'em...but that it is all one blood and immune system to that "destructive program." You can say it is akin to a computer virus, when you think about it.
So, that is one of reasons why HIV/AIDS is one of my passions. 'Boyo,' I won't forget you and your favorite saying, "I ain't beat until I am ready!"
Someone asked me WHY I want to work with deaf clients with HIV. "What's wrong with working with mental ill clients, mental retarded clients or clients that may have problems like addictions, domestic violence or having high-risk activities?" Who says I don't want to work with those clients? I didn't say that. I discovered that there is too few counselors who can sign out there in the United States. It's harder to find counselors who may have experiences in this or that.. There are addiction counselors, there are domestic violence counselors, there are clinical psychologists, you get the idea. It is high likely that when one NEEDS help in a certain area of mental health, you won't find a counselor who can sign. For example, if one needs to go to a 12-step AA group, there is a chance there would be no counselor who could sign. At most, there'd be an interpreter (that is if the organization that'd call up one.) So... the bottom line is..counselors who can sign will need to be generalists. What is that? Let me read from the dictionary:
Generalist: : one whose skills, interests, or habits are varied or unspecialized.
It means that in case of mental health, the counselor would need to have basic knowledge of addiction, high risk adolescence, mental disorders, autism, domestic violence, family violence, PTSD, crisis intervention, etc, etc. I had already taken PTSD and Crisis intervention classes. I worked for an organization that focuses on domestic violence. I also worked for a non-profit organization that worked with deaf clients with mental retardation and other disabilities, as well as an organization working with deaf clients with mental disorders. In March, I will take a two-day workshop on addictions. More knowledge the counselor can collect in her repertory, the more resourceful she can be for the clients and herself.
However, HIV/AIDS have been my passion for a long time as I could remember. Rene (name changed to protect his family) took me into the world of HIV/AIDS. I remember as if it happened yesterday, Rene came to me in 1991. He said that he was afraid to go to the doctor to ask for a HIV test. I asked him why he would even think about that. He said a guy told him that he was HIV positive and that since Rene had sex with him, he should go take a test. I agreed to go with him to a doctor for a blood test. I remember two weeks later or so, I remember how our hearts pounded that I could even feel vibrations in my teeth. The doctor was even considerate of getting an interpreter that day. He told him that the test was positive for HIV but encouraged him to come back in six months. We both were stunned. He asked the doctor more about HIV but the interpreter used a lot of medical terms that went over his and my heads. After the appointment, he asked me more about HIV and I have to tell you, readers, I had NO idea but that HIV kills. It was a bogeyman to me. In a few days, we went to the library to look up and there were a lot of medical terms that I had to read forth and back (looking up dictionary, reading book, then back to dictionary). Due to Rene's 4th grade reading level, he couldn't "get it." So I would read and then translate into ASL for him. My heart was broken for him over much that I am even surprised that it's still beating after all this breaking for months. With him, I learned about what HIV/AIDS means, what it does and doesn't, how it affects the immune system and that it wasn't HIV that'd kill. It's complications that comes to a weakned immune system, hence AIDS with complications.
He had died 4 years ago but bless his heart, he refused to let HIV control his life as possible. He went hiking in the Rocky Mountains and surfing in Hawaii all the time when he felt good. I saw how it was very tough for him, not from the deaf community but from the medical community. It was tough to find an interpreter who knows medical and sexual terms and not spell them out! Can you imagine one going "A-N-A-L-S-E-X" instead of signing it??!! Many times he would show up at the doctor's office to find that there would be no intepreter. Often he would write forth and back and then bring notes to me to read and help interpret words/terms he didn't understand. I decided to do more research on HIV/AIDS myself and I find it an amazing 'machine.' It is a destructive program if you will. There are viruses and bacteria out there that would keep their host alive while eating them, yet this HIV virus killing its own host. This virus has no judgement on who gets it. Women, men, kids, adolescenes, hearing, deaf, catholics, jews, pagans, African-american, hispanic, white, it has no racism, no sexism, no audism, nothing against 'em...but that it is all one blood and immune system to that "destructive program." You can say it is akin to a computer virus, when you think about it.
So, that is one of reasons why HIV/AIDS is one of my passions. 'Boyo,' I won't forget you and your favorite saying, "I ain't beat until I am ready!"
Friday, January 26, 2007
Limited Deaf resources on HIV/AIDS and Poll
I have been thinking about this for a few days... I am not sure if there have been a poll out there to ask THIS question "Do you think HIV/AIDS exist in the deaf community?" among the deaf community in the United States.
A lot of agencies had services set up for the deaf about HIV prevention then died out in a few years because of low turnout and insufficent numbers of clients or funds. (That's what I have been told by some folks who were there.) So far there is GLADD (Los Angeles) Deaf AIDS Project (in Family Services Foundation- Baltimore), Gay men's health Crisis (New York), AIDS Initiative for Deaf Services Task Force (which is located at AIDS Project Hartford, in Conn) and AIDS Foundation of Chicago (Advocate Metro OutReach Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program in Chicago.) If there are more organizations that provide services (outreach, prevention, one-to-one counseling, support groups, workshops applying to HIV/AIDS and STDS), I'm all "ears!" I am sure there are readers out there that are curious too if there are services where they can go in for testing and counseling (IF confidentiality can be managed.)
Now, I would like to see if folks can answer this poll that I created in mind for the deaf readers and perhaps hearing folks if they work with deaf clients. I would like to get an IDEA at least where one can start! Like that main female character in "Dogma" said, "I have an idea, not a belief of what one can do."
A lot of agencies had services set up for the deaf about HIV prevention then died out in a few years because of low turnout and insufficent numbers of clients or funds. (That's what I have been told by some folks who were there.) So far there is GLADD (Los Angeles) Deaf AIDS Project (in Family Services Foundation- Baltimore), Gay men's health Crisis (New York), AIDS Initiative for Deaf Services Task Force (which is located at AIDS Project Hartford, in Conn) and AIDS Foundation of Chicago (Advocate Metro OutReach Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program in Chicago.) If there are more organizations that provide services (outreach, prevention, one-to-one counseling, support groups, workshops applying to HIV/AIDS and STDS), I'm all "ears!" I am sure there are readers out there that are curious too if there are services where they can go in for testing and counseling (IF confidentiality can be managed.)
Now, I would like to see if folks can answer this poll that I created in mind for the deaf readers and perhaps hearing folks if they work with deaf clients. I would like to get an IDEA at least where one can start! Like that main female character in "Dogma" said, "I have an idea, not a belief of what one can do."
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Where are they?
I have been reading some articles about prostitution out there in the world and yes it includes the United States. For folks who do not understand what the word prostitution means: it means selling your body(intercourse or other sexual behaviors for money or other tangible goals like drugs. There have been statistics on arrest numbers of prostitutes (female and males) and arrests upon johns (people who buy sex) in some states. No one knows the exact number of prostitutes in United States because there has been no tracking. And WHO would want to come up and say "Yeah I'm a prostitute" for even a census survey? Anyway, I was reading this article "how the Dutch protect their prostitutes," "Prostitution in the United States- The Statistics" and even Wikipedia's article on prositution. Only one thing kept popping up in my mind while surveying those articles and others.
Where are the deaf prostitutes?!
DON'T tell me that they don't exist. Don't say "pooh, there are no deaf women or men selling their bodies for money or drugs." I have seen a legless prostitute in a wheelchair (and don't tell me she wasn't a prostitute, she was out there in 20 degrees in an outfit made of only a bra, panties and fishnet dress you can see through) with some other women barely clad. I worked with a mentally ill and deaf client who sold her body for drugs down in a city back in the east coast. What I had learned from her, I could see how it would be easy. I mean, if a deaf woman that barely graduated from high school, living on SSI and craving drugs to forget what she had experienced in childhood (rape by father and then sent into a foster home where she was continuingly raped by someone that should not have even been accepted as a foster parent.)
I read that after communism fell in Russia, many deaf women and men started to sell their bodies in purpose to survive in the chaos. There is noticeable postitution among the deaf population in Africa. HIV/AIDS is very common there in Africa, especially in the vulnerable numbers of women, children and disabled. I am sure some of you have read that men would have sex with children, in the belief that HIV can be "cured"by having intercourse with a virgin child or woman. Hell, I could read articles about deaf women or men going into prostitution in other countries but not here? Is it a taboo to talk about prostitution? Is it something that one shouldn't talk or even think about; the possibility of *gasp* a DEAF person being a prostitute? I read in several reports that disabled children are easier to be taken advantage of by adults for molestion. That goes for drugs... Hell, 1 in 7 deaf uses drugs. 1 in 10 hearing uses drugs. Do math. So, isn't that a potential possbility that there ARE deaf prostitutes out there here in the United States? Are there any services working with those on protecting themselves, STDS prevention, financial management, confidence development and the possibility of leaving prostitution for good? If there are, I would LIKE to know!
I have a deaf friend who is open about herself being a prostitute. She experienced horrible unspeakable incidents throughout her childhood and adolescence, that after she told me of her experiences, I had nightmares for nights afterwards. Not many organizations would take her in because she is not "mental retarded enough", "not mentally ill enough," and/or "not eligible for services." So the vicious cycle continues for her. After I spoke with her about writing this post, she said, "Tell people, don't stick your nose up at us, what are we supposed to do? Slap a happy face on our faces, live in neighborhoods where a woman couldn't walk at night without being assaulted, and survive on ramen noodles rest of our lives? YOU don't know. If you don't know what is going in our lives, then you have NO right to judge us. Screw you all!" What can I say to that? She is right.
Where are the deaf prostitutes?!
DON'T tell me that they don't exist. Don't say "pooh, there are no deaf women or men selling their bodies for money or drugs." I have seen a legless prostitute in a wheelchair (and don't tell me she wasn't a prostitute, she was out there in 20 degrees in an outfit made of only a bra, panties and fishnet dress you can see through) with some other women barely clad. I worked with a mentally ill and deaf client who sold her body for drugs down in a city back in the east coast. What I had learned from her, I could see how it would be easy. I mean, if a deaf woman that barely graduated from high school, living on SSI and craving drugs to forget what she had experienced in childhood (rape by father and then sent into a foster home where she was continuingly raped by someone that should not have even been accepted as a foster parent.)
I read that after communism fell in Russia, many deaf women and men started to sell their bodies in purpose to survive in the chaos. There is noticeable postitution among the deaf population in Africa. HIV/AIDS is very common there in Africa, especially in the vulnerable numbers of women, children and disabled. I am sure some of you have read that men would have sex with children, in the belief that HIV can be "cured"by having intercourse with a virgin child or woman. Hell, I could read articles about deaf women or men going into prostitution in other countries but not here? Is it a taboo to talk about prostitution? Is it something that one shouldn't talk or even think about; the possibility of *gasp* a DEAF person being a prostitute? I read in several reports that disabled children are easier to be taken advantage of by adults for molestion. That goes for drugs... Hell, 1 in 7 deaf uses drugs. 1 in 10 hearing uses drugs. Do math. So, isn't that a potential possbility that there ARE deaf prostitutes out there here in the United States? Are there any services working with those on protecting themselves, STDS prevention, financial management, confidence development and the possibility of leaving prostitution for good? If there are, I would LIKE to know!
I have a deaf friend who is open about herself being a prostitute. She experienced horrible unspeakable incidents throughout her childhood and adolescence, that after she told me of her experiences, I had nightmares for nights afterwards. Not many organizations would take her in because she is not "mental retarded enough", "not mentally ill enough," and/or "not eligible for services." So the vicious cycle continues for her. After I spoke with her about writing this post, she said, "Tell people, don't stick your nose up at us, what are we supposed to do? Slap a happy face on our faces, live in neighborhoods where a woman couldn't walk at night without being assaulted, and survive on ramen noodles rest of our lives? YOU don't know. If you don't know what is going in our lives, then you have NO right to judge us. Screw you all!" What can I say to that? She is right.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
You have to love this!
Kurt used his sidekick to take a picture of Boulder and the mountains before we went into Boulder. He was here for his visit with me last October while helping me go through the first anniversity of H&R. Anyway, from this picture you can see how vast the sky is, the beauty of the land and even hint of snow on the ground.
Oh, yeah, I did use my sidekick to take this picture. I have to say sidekicks are a helpful "assistant" especially if you go places and say "oh shoot, I should have brought a camera!" Never worry..the sidekick is there for you. :) Heck, I took pictures of my legs after the October 2005 H&R and even after May 2006 surgery (tendon replacement.)
Oh, if Kurt finds this picture, let me know. Heheheh.
Passion of Mental Health
I cannot remember not being deaf. I attended mainstreamed programs as I could remember. I did not know that a "deaf world" existed. Upon entering Gallaudet University in Washington DC in 1989, my eyes were opened to possibilities of which I have never dreamed. Exposed to so much potential at Gallaudet, I realized there are deaf football players, doctors, lawyers, and even architects. I discovered pride in being deaf. Realizing that I could do everything empowered me. Being deaf does not prevent me from reaching goals. It actually gives me specialized tools that increase my potential.
Never had I thought that I could help other people. I did not imagine that I could positively impact other people's lives with my life and 'disability' experiences. In Baltimore, Maryland, I worked both with deaf clients with mental retardation at a DDA organization, and with deaf clients with mental illnesses at an agency for MHA clients. I learned that I could make a difference.
I realized that because I am deaf, I empathize better with clients. That deeper empathy and understanding of deaf culture has enabled me to train the hearing staff to better understand and work with the deaf clients.
Being deaf has forced me to become extremely observant. I am more alert to any chance in the clients' behaviors. I notice changes that others often do not. This talent helped me to save several clients' lives (finding a client in a building on fire, detecting episodes of diabetic shock, and anticipating seizures are examples.)
Due to my deafness, I have to work hard on ensure that my communications are clear and concise with both the clients and the other staff. Copying my efforts, the clients and staff also began to work harder to communicate more effectively. Learning about newer technologies that have major impacts on the deaf world, with encouragement, the others learned how to use computers and such devices thereby enlarging their world.
Because I have the same 'disability' they do, I demonstrate to my clients a positive deaf role model, a first for many of them. I have seen my positive behaviors and steadying influences increase my clients' motiviation to improve themselves. My clients succeeded in their new jobs and strive toward the goals of developing independence or staying off drugs because of my encouragement and staff support. Many clients have told me that because of my sense of humor and willing to treat them as adult equals, not as children, they developed confidence in themselves and in other people.
With these experiences behind me, it is now my goal to become a mental health counselor. I want to use my education and knowledge to assist my clients and to protect their dignity and independence. The deaf often feel that the world is against them. I believe that they can learn from me how to work with the hearing world to become a team, instead of "me vs. you." I have the positive confidence that the deaf world and the hearing world will bulid a bridge.
Never had I thought that I could help other people. I did not imagine that I could positively impact other people's lives with my life and 'disability' experiences. In Baltimore, Maryland, I worked both with deaf clients with mental retardation at a DDA organization, and with deaf clients with mental illnesses at an agency for MHA clients. I learned that I could make a difference.
I realized that because I am deaf, I empathize better with clients. That deeper empathy and understanding of deaf culture has enabled me to train the hearing staff to better understand and work with the deaf clients.
Being deaf has forced me to become extremely observant. I am more alert to any chance in the clients' behaviors. I notice changes that others often do not. This talent helped me to save several clients' lives (finding a client in a building on fire, detecting episodes of diabetic shock, and anticipating seizures are examples.)
Due to my deafness, I have to work hard on ensure that my communications are clear and concise with both the clients and the other staff. Copying my efforts, the clients and staff also began to work harder to communicate more effectively. Learning about newer technologies that have major impacts on the deaf world, with encouragement, the others learned how to use computers and such devices thereby enlarging their world.
Because I have the same 'disability' they do, I demonstrate to my clients a positive deaf role model, a first for many of them. I have seen my positive behaviors and steadying influences increase my clients' motiviation to improve themselves. My clients succeeded in their new jobs and strive toward the goals of developing independence or staying off drugs because of my encouragement and staff support. Many clients have told me that because of my sense of humor and willing to treat them as adult equals, not as children, they developed confidence in themselves and in other people.
With these experiences behind me, it is now my goal to become a mental health counselor. I want to use my education and knowledge to assist my clients and to protect their dignity and independence. The deaf often feel that the world is against them. I believe that they can learn from me how to work with the hearing world to become a team, instead of "me vs. you." I have the positive confidence that the deaf world and the hearing world will bulid a bridge.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Here, as promised, pictures of Tower of London
The raven encounter...If you look close to the rail close to the grass, you'll see this big raven. Heheheh
The side of the Tower of the London. Good picture.
The sweetheart beefeater tour guide and me posing for the camera
The beefeater tour guide. He was such a sweetheart because he ensured that I was front in the group so I can see him and the ASL interpreter. Yes! They do provide ASL interpreters if you ask for one a week ahead. My trip to London was wonderful. I will write more about the trip and what it may mean for deaf visitors. Written by Jules
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Communication Access during Disasters and after.
You know, I had spoken with some interpreters and CODAS after the hurricane Katrina. I thought this may be interesting for y'all.
I have to follow up on ADA requirements to see if that may be actually a hinderance in disasters...
1. Volunteer interpreters came to help the deaf evavuees, however they mostly weren't "certified" considered by FEMA or Red Cross. Never mind that the paid interpreters came LATER..(a week later)
2. Interpreters who volunteered were treated rudely by "certified" interpreters, demanding to see the certificates of the volunteers, never mind that the interpreters had grown up with deaf parents or deaf families, (CODA).
3. During interviews (with FEMA or Red Cross), volunteer interpreters were told that they can't interpret for their deaf relatives or other deaf evacuees, because they weren't "certified." Frankly..... during disasters, the deaf community wants the interpreters NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not two days later..not next week, not two weeks later... and if the volunteer interpreter can sign like a deaf, who are you to tell the deaf community NOT to use that interpreter??!! If there is a certified interpreter there and now, that's great. If there isn't, and if the survivors had to wait another week or two...hell forget it... Hence one basic rule of crisis intervention says 'if the supplies and resources are available now, use them NOW."
An interpreter, Teri, suggests that levels of how skillful the interpreters can be assigned to services, such as very skillful interpreters could be assigned to FEMA interviews, medical assessments, the medium range interpreters could be assigned to medical checkups, social support, and getting necessarities, and low range interpreters could be assigned to handing out food, water, and housing information. I have to agree with Teri... In disasters, both man-made and disasters..if there are accessible services right there right NOW, don't complain that it's not "certified" or "licensed" or "approved." TAKE the services, even if it is a volunteer interpreter who can sign because of his/her deaf family, a guy who knows how to fix a motorized wheelchair but is not licensed in that state the disaster occured, or an RN who can do medical checkups but is deaf, USE THEM... they come to help!
Hence I am concerned about future disasters. FEMA and Red Cross need to think hard and long about interpreters for deaf survivors as well as other disabled individuals. If there are helpers who can assist, let them. Don't wait a week or two weeks.. More the survivors wait after the disaster (and aftermath) to get assistance and that includes communication, you're putting them longer in risk of developing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I have to follow up on ADA requirements to see if that may be actually a hinderance in disasters...
1. Volunteer interpreters came to help the deaf evavuees, however they mostly weren't "certified" considered by FEMA or Red Cross. Never mind that the paid interpreters came LATER..(a week later)
2. Interpreters who volunteered were treated rudely by "certified" interpreters, demanding to see the certificates of the volunteers, never mind that the interpreters had grown up with deaf parents or deaf families, (CODA).
3. During interviews (with FEMA or Red Cross), volunteer interpreters were told that they can't interpret for their deaf relatives or other deaf evacuees, because they weren't "certified." Frankly..... during disasters, the deaf community wants the interpreters NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not two days later..not next week, not two weeks later... and if the volunteer interpreter can sign like a deaf, who are you to tell the deaf community NOT to use that interpreter??!! If there is a certified interpreter there and now, that's great. If there isn't, and if the survivors had to wait another week or two...hell forget it... Hence one basic rule of crisis intervention says 'if the supplies and resources are available now, use them NOW."
An interpreter, Teri, suggests that levels of how skillful the interpreters can be assigned to services, such as very skillful interpreters could be assigned to FEMA interviews, medical assessments, the medium range interpreters could be assigned to medical checkups, social support, and getting necessarities, and low range interpreters could be assigned to handing out food, water, and housing information. I have to agree with Teri... In disasters, both man-made and disasters..if there are accessible services right there right NOW, don't complain that it's not "certified" or "licensed" or "approved." TAKE the services, even if it is a volunteer interpreter who can sign because of his/her deaf family, a guy who knows how to fix a motorized wheelchair but is not licensed in that state the disaster occured, or an RN who can do medical checkups but is deaf, USE THEM... they come to help!
Hence I am concerned about future disasters. FEMA and Red Cross need to think hard and long about interpreters for deaf survivors as well as other disabled individuals. If there are helpers who can assist, let them. Don't wait a week or two weeks.. More the survivors wait after the disaster (and aftermath) to get assistance and that includes communication, you're putting them longer in risk of developing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Giving of oneself.
It is really sucking when one works at a place where other friends work as well, because there is the issue of boundaries and the common sense to know to say no and not feel guilty. I have seen this so many times, friends giving in to other friends because they thought that is how friendships work...and disasters occur.
I have seen several friends with severe burnouts(including me) because we thought we were needed, and to give, give, and give, and not think "wait a minute..where is MY share of rewards?" Friendships had been destroyed just because that person or that person is a taker, taking advantage of the friendship in name of "business."
I gave up 80 hours a week to be there for 'friends' at work for months. I hadn't even a day off without my pager going off from work! Even on my only vacation(the vacation in 3 years!), I was called to help with a client out of control because no one else could. After months and years, one day I had a good bawl. I had a good rant. At friends' suggestions, I went to see the doctor to find out I had burnout..so I got a LOA away from work..(and of course, the business went into chaos without me there...)
Now I see it happening to other people. Sometimes I sit down with them and ask them to stop and smell the flowers, and to learn how to say no without feeling guilty, and to stop giving. One needs to think "OKay what is the benefit for me from doing this for a friend?" Mind you, I'm not saying to be selfish, however folks NEED personal times for themselves..if one is gonna do all the 6 programs, 3 papers, and 1 grant for one friend, what is the benefit for THAT person who is doing all that? NOTHING. All this is to the benefit of the taker, period!
So....for you all who give, give, give and give... STOP! Ask yourself this.."I had done this and that for my friend, what have s/he done for me?" If the answer is nothing, that is your answer..you're nothing to HIM/HER but something to use.
Yes, sometimes one feels "satisifed" in helping people. I'm all for that. However if it takes more than 40 hours of yours, intervene with your social life, your family and even sleep, it is time to look at your priorities and decide if it's really worth giving up everything you are. Sometimes you DO have to be selfish. I speak from experience.
I have seen several friends with severe burnouts(including me) because we thought we were needed, and to give, give, and give, and not think "wait a minute..where is MY share of rewards?" Friendships had been destroyed just because that person or that person is a taker, taking advantage of the friendship in name of "business."
I gave up 80 hours a week to be there for 'friends' at work for months. I hadn't even a day off without my pager going off from work! Even on my only vacation(the vacation in 3 years!), I was called to help with a client out of control because no one else could. After months and years, one day I had a good bawl. I had a good rant. At friends' suggestions, I went to see the doctor to find out I had burnout..so I got a LOA away from work..(and of course, the business went into chaos without me there...)
Now I see it happening to other people. Sometimes I sit down with them and ask them to stop and smell the flowers, and to learn how to say no without feeling guilty, and to stop giving. One needs to think "OKay what is the benefit for me from doing this for a friend?" Mind you, I'm not saying to be selfish, however folks NEED personal times for themselves..if one is gonna do all the 6 programs, 3 papers, and 1 grant for one friend, what is the benefit for THAT person who is doing all that? NOTHING. All this is to the benefit of the taker, period!
So....for you all who give, give, give and give... STOP! Ask yourself this.."I had done this and that for my friend, what have s/he done for me?" If the answer is nothing, that is your answer..you're nothing to HIM/HER but something to use.
Yes, sometimes one feels "satisifed" in helping people. I'm all for that. However if it takes more than 40 hours of yours, intervene with your social life, your family and even sleep, it is time to look at your priorities and decide if it's really worth giving up everything you are. Sometimes you DO have to be selfish. I speak from experience.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Where did 2006 go??!
Eek! I didn't realize how time flew! One day I was crazy making copies for my notebook to give to the human services program at my college, printing out graduate applications, writing essays and doing research about universities that offers mental health or psychology graduate programs AND work with deaf clients. Next day I know, it's already 2007; I just returned from another state where family resides. I have to wonder how they could stand Kansas and not go insane. Oh wait, some of my relatives did. Never mind! I looked up my old blog and realized an oop. I said I'd make 10-12 blogs after June and I only made four. Can we say, I'm awfully busy? Hehehe. I look forward to volunteering, writing more articles after I do more research and working on my quilts. I hope to write blogs about HIV/AIDS in Deaf community (yes some of Deaf can get HIV/AIDS, thank you,) start a debate about movies that get on folks' nerves (like "Sound and Fury" "Di Vinci Code" and "Harry Potter" series,) I also want to talk about mental illnesses and discuss books that are about real individuals with mental disorders. Very interesting, I'm telling you! I just finished three books while I was visiting family. What else could I do when they all were content watching television all the time??!!! I read "Murphy's Boy" by Torey Hayden, "Sybil" by Flora Rheta Schreiber and "Nobody's Child" by Marie Balter and Richard Katz. Very good. I will write about those books soon. Also I hope to do research about mental illness in the Deaf community (yes, some of Deaf can have mental disorders.) All right, I have to get going and take a shower. I have a LONG day tomorrow. Oh yeah, by the way, I graduated with a B.S degree in Human Services Mental Health Counseling! Whooo!
Written by Jules
Written by Jules
Monday, November 06, 2006
An aspect of IDEA for deaf children receiving education
You'd THINK all we would get along together, especially with Deafhood workshops all over the nation and provided by many Deaf organizations. Sadly, it's still "us vs. them" subconsciously. ASL vs Spoken English. Written English vs. Videophone where folks talk in ASL. Schools for deaf vs. mainstreamed programs. Teachers for deaf that teach by sign vs. Teachers for deaf that teach by oral practices. States sending deaf children to mainstreamed programs instead of schools for Deaf, despite there's evidence that some deaf children may benefit better in schools for Deaf.
Look up IDEA (thanks to someone at work!) which stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and then look up what IDEA can provide for deaf students. You'd find that a lot of states would send their deaf children to mainstreamed programs, and less and less to schools for the Deaf because it'd benefit the state, NOT the children. We don't think of the children's NEEDS, specially communicational, social and educational needs. NAD (National Association of the Deaf said it well in "Comments to the U.S. Department of Education on the Notice of Request for Comments and Recommendations on Regulatory Issues Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, February 28, 2005" (mouthful, I KNOW!)
"300.551 Continuum of alternative placements:
Recommendation: The NAD respectfully requests that the Department, through the regulatory process, monitoring activities, and other actions, vigorously enforce provisions of the statute and regulations pertaining to the continuum of alternative placements. Rationale: The continuum of alternative placements has been a long-standing and essential feature of IDEA. However, the NAD wishes to call attention to what is apparently a reduced commitment on the part of state education agencies to provide continuum of alternative placement options, as required by law. The NAD continues to support the development, maintenance, and use of placements mandated by the continuum of alternative placements regulations of the IDEA. While the regular classroom in the neighborhood school may be the appropriate placement for some deaf and hard-of-hearing students, for many it is not. The NAD is commited to preserving and expanding the use of the continuum of alternative placements provision to ensure that each deaf or hard-of-hearing child receives a quality education in an appropriate environment. As stated by the Congress: The Committee supports the longstanding policy of a continuum of alternative placements designed to meet the unique needs of each child with a disability. Placement options available include instruction in regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction and instruction in hospitals and institutions."
So, in the bottom line, it's "us vs. them" even that NAD observes in states/schools abuse of IDEA especially when it comes to Deaf children. Yes there are deaf children that will do well in regular classrooms but to put other deaf children in regular classrooms that do not meet their social, educational and communicational needs, that's balantly abuse. We need to start instructing schools; that will help starting the snowball rolling to reduce the issue "us vs. them" from elementary schools to adulthood. Stop the vicious cycle!
Written by Jules
Look up IDEA (thanks to someone at work!) which stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and then look up what IDEA can provide for deaf students. You'd find that a lot of states would send their deaf children to mainstreamed programs, and less and less to schools for the Deaf because it'd benefit the state, NOT the children. We don't think of the children's NEEDS, specially communicational, social and educational needs. NAD (National Association of the Deaf said it well in "Comments to the U.S. Department of Education on the Notice of Request for Comments and Recommendations on Regulatory Issues Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, February 28, 2005" (mouthful, I KNOW!)
"300.551 Continuum of alternative placements:
Recommendation: The NAD respectfully requests that the Department, through the regulatory process, monitoring activities, and other actions, vigorously enforce provisions of the statute and regulations pertaining to the continuum of alternative placements. Rationale: The continuum of alternative placements has been a long-standing and essential feature of IDEA. However, the NAD wishes to call attention to what is apparently a reduced commitment on the part of state education agencies to provide continuum of alternative placement options, as required by law. The NAD continues to support the development, maintenance, and use of placements mandated by the continuum of alternative placements regulations of the IDEA. While the regular classroom in the neighborhood school may be the appropriate placement for some deaf and hard-of-hearing students, for many it is not. The NAD is commited to preserving and expanding the use of the continuum of alternative placements provision to ensure that each deaf or hard-of-hearing child receives a quality education in an appropriate environment. As stated by the Congress: The Committee supports the longstanding policy of a continuum of alternative placements designed to meet the unique needs of each child with a disability. Placement options available include instruction in regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction and instruction in hospitals and institutions."
So, in the bottom line, it's "us vs. them" even that NAD observes in states/schools abuse of IDEA especially when it comes to Deaf children. Yes there are deaf children that will do well in regular classrooms but to put other deaf children in regular classrooms that do not meet their social, educational and communicational needs, that's balantly abuse. We need to start instructing schools; that will help starting the snowball rolling to reduce the issue "us vs. them" from elementary schools to adulthood. Stop the vicious cycle!
Written by Jules
Monday, October 30, 2006
There's no winners or losers.
Yesterday working on finances with friends, a friend stood up, reading her pager and screamed "Fernendes is terminated!" out of the blue (thankfully no one spilled drinks!) The friends jumped up and down, screaming and hugging each other. I looked on and smiled, but I had a lot of questions running through my mind as well.
What happens next?
Who will be the next president?
Will FSSA really walk the talk that they talked about for 4 weeks?
Will students, faculty, staff and alumni work together to stamp out audism, racism and deaf oppression?
Will the deaf community really look at themselves and realize that they even silence and oppress OTHER deaf?
Mind you, I LOVE Gallaudet and I am behind FSSA 110%, however we all need to think carefully what we need to do next. We didn't win the war..we won a major battle- (think it like Gettysburg or Normandy) The war will be only won if Gallaudet have a LOT of changes done (bylaws, procedures, policies, crystal-clear boundaries, duties expected of the president, provost and the BOT; recognizing audism practices within the campus, making it mandotary(correct me if I misspell that) for staff to learn sign language (mind you, I'm not asking for 100% skilled signers but enough to help in basic communication, emergencies and necessary situations) and also recognize racism and deaf oppression within the campus as well as the nationwide deaf community. This morning I got a rude email from a blogger "Stop shooting things out of your mouth, *******!" and added that they are already planning to clean the tent city-( but how would we KNOW that if no one said it in any article last night?) after I sent a comment to his/her blog, giving some advice such as cleaning up the tent city, doing research on other universities' policies and bylaws about the president/provost/board/s responsibilties and duties as well as boundaries, and that all deaf are equal: culturally deaf, oralists, sim-com, blind-deaf, etc, you get the idea. (in other words, I was saying that I hope that deafhood is the first priority in mind.) For saying all that, I got that rude email, and I was thinking, "wow..I got oppressed and silenced just now?" That really saddened me because I meant positive and well by my comment. I could say his/her name but what's the point? Right now there's no sense in finger-pointing and we all need to be mature and to recognize flaws within OURSELVES as well as outward (deaf community, campus, audists, racists, and folks who don't realize they practice any of those I just listed.) And that means you as well, blogger. I realize that s/he may be high on the fifteen minutes of fame, and s/he DESERVES that fame- since s/he did help out greatly in that blog, being there in person and speaking out for the deaf community- however s/he needs to look inward and realize- need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Don't do double standards, folks! You need to respect 'em as you'd want to be respected.
Written by Jules
What happens next?
Who will be the next president?
Will FSSA really walk the talk that they talked about for 4 weeks?
Will students, faculty, staff and alumni work together to stamp out audism, racism and deaf oppression?
Will the deaf community really look at themselves and realize that they even silence and oppress OTHER deaf?
Mind you, I LOVE Gallaudet and I am behind FSSA 110%, however we all need to think carefully what we need to do next. We didn't win the war..we won a major battle- (think it like Gettysburg or Normandy) The war will be only won if Gallaudet have a LOT of changes done (bylaws, procedures, policies, crystal-clear boundaries, duties expected of the president, provost and the BOT; recognizing audism practices within the campus, making it mandotary(correct me if I misspell that) for staff to learn sign language (mind you, I'm not asking for 100% skilled signers but enough to help in basic communication, emergencies and necessary situations) and also recognize racism and deaf oppression within the campus as well as the nationwide deaf community. This morning I got a rude email from a blogger "Stop shooting things out of your mouth, *******!" and added that they are already planning to clean the tent city-( but how would we KNOW that if no one said it in any article last night?) after I sent a comment to his/her blog, giving some advice such as cleaning up the tent city, doing research on other universities' policies and bylaws about the president/provost/board/s responsibilties and duties as well as boundaries, and that all deaf are equal: culturally deaf, oralists, sim-com, blind-deaf, etc, you get the idea. (in other words, I was saying that I hope that deafhood is the first priority in mind.) For saying all that, I got that rude email, and I was thinking, "wow..I got oppressed and silenced just now?" That really saddened me because I meant positive and well by my comment. I could say his/her name but what's the point? Right now there's no sense in finger-pointing and we all need to be mature and to recognize flaws within OURSELVES as well as outward (deaf community, campus, audists, racists, and folks who don't realize they practice any of those I just listed.) And that means you as well, blogger. I realize that s/he may be high on the fifteen minutes of fame, and s/he DESERVES that fame- since s/he did help out greatly in that blog, being there in person and speaking out for the deaf community- however s/he needs to look inward and realize- need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Don't do double standards, folks! You need to respect 'em as you'd want to be respected.
Written by Jules
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Protest at Gallaudet University
There is a protest at Gallaudet University since yesterday. I was emailed by a friend who works at Gallaudet University about the announcement of new president at 230pm EST, and I am here in Colorado. I was in class when I got the email 'Fez' and I went "WHATTHEFUCK???!!!" I had not lived in Gallaudet while she has been the provost there, but I have already encountered her at a deaf event, in which I will not spill the beans, but I can only say it was negative. What I have in:
1) Through a poll on 'Notwithoutus.org' of gallaudet students, Fernandes only got 13% of students'approval, and 81% of students'disapproval. Mind you, it were on a ballot for undergraduate students to respond to Graduate Students Association and Student Body Government. If you want to know more, you can look up http://notwithoutus.org/node/32
2) Gallaudet University have been performing POORLY as investigated by congress and federal education department. And the current president think that that poor performance can be continued under Fernandes? THINK AGAIN! The deaf students deserve better education and even have the right to better education! Look up laws in education section of federal laws! Http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/summary.10003306.2005.html.
3. There is no love between the students and Fernandes from what I gather from: http://trimmingthefern.blog.com/, and
http://starvingforaccess.blog.com. Mind you, take those with a grain of salt.
4. I have to admit Ridor writes a good blog, http://ridorlive.com, and he's currently writing what's going on the Gallaudet campus, and I envy him. Colorado is quite a distance from Washington D.C!
I have been reading emails of people telling me what's going on campus, and I have concerns.
1) Fire alarms at dorms and SAC.... PLEASE!!! Do not do that..that will only make the protest more a student prank, than a mature and reasonable protest. We the deaf community need to show the world that we can be responsible and protest peacefully and without antics like those. Burning an effigy is powerful than pulling a fire alarm. Having a hunger fast is noticeable than ordering a pizza and eating it front of the media. If you want to have the ear of the world, do what Martin Luther King Jr. did...he had a strong voice, and he marched peacefully and with numbers. More the number of students, faculty, and alumni you have on campus, the BOT and the current administration will listen!
2) "She doesn't say hi".... That left me speechless.. honestly, it does. Bush doesn't say Hi to me either, but do that make me mad at him? OF COURSE NOT! One needs to have ACTIONS that look bad on the individual. I can understand the protest when one says "she had shut down many programs under MSSD- but what kind of programs were they? "She closed some student organizations- Can you tell which organizations and can those ex-members speak up? Bring up the fact that the congress found Gallaudet university ineffective, and point out that it's under IJK administration in which Fernandes is under! GET information and ACCURATE information at that, to show WHY the protest is going on!
3) Deaf-cultural president. That I can understand. But would the hearing world UNDERSTAND that? The leaders and protesters may need to explain to the media. Some friends finally understood when I said "okay, someone moved to Italy..and learned how to speak Italian, but he's NOT Italian... so would you think the population of Italy would accept him as a president to represent Italy?" I hope you understand what I'm talking about!
Written by Jules
1) Through a poll on 'Notwithoutus.org' of gallaudet students, Fernandes only got 13% of students'approval, and 81% of students'disapproval. Mind you, it were on a ballot for undergraduate students to respond to Graduate Students Association and Student Body Government. If you want to know more, you can look up http://notwithoutus.org/node/32
2) Gallaudet University have been performing POORLY as investigated by congress and federal education department. And the current president think that that poor performance can be continued under Fernandes? THINK AGAIN! The deaf students deserve better education and even have the right to better education! Look up laws in education section of federal laws! Http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/summary.10003306.2005.html.
3. There is no love between the students and Fernandes from what I gather from: http://trimmingthefern.blog.com/, and
http://starvingforaccess.blog.com. Mind you, take those with a grain of salt.
4. I have to admit Ridor writes a good blog, http://ridorlive.com, and he's currently writing what's going on the Gallaudet campus, and I envy him. Colorado is quite a distance from Washington D.C!
I have been reading emails of people telling me what's going on campus, and I have concerns.
1) Fire alarms at dorms and SAC.... PLEASE!!! Do not do that..that will only make the protest more a student prank, than a mature and reasonable protest. We the deaf community need to show the world that we can be responsible and protest peacefully and without antics like those. Burning an effigy is powerful than pulling a fire alarm. Having a hunger fast is noticeable than ordering a pizza and eating it front of the media. If you want to have the ear of the world, do what Martin Luther King Jr. did...he had a strong voice, and he marched peacefully and with numbers. More the number of students, faculty, and alumni you have on campus, the BOT and the current administration will listen!
2) "She doesn't say hi".... That left me speechless.. honestly, it does. Bush doesn't say Hi to me either, but do that make me mad at him? OF COURSE NOT! One needs to have ACTIONS that look bad on the individual. I can understand the protest when one says "she had shut down many programs under MSSD- but what kind of programs were they? "She closed some student organizations- Can you tell which organizations and can those ex-members speak up? Bring up the fact that the congress found Gallaudet university ineffective, and point out that it's under IJK administration in which Fernandes is under! GET information and ACCURATE information at that, to show WHY the protest is going on!
3) Deaf-cultural president. That I can understand. But would the hearing world UNDERSTAND that? The leaders and protesters may need to explain to the media. Some friends finally understood when I said "okay, someone moved to Italy..and learned how to speak Italian, but he's NOT Italian... so would you think the population of Italy would accept him as a president to represent Italy?" I hope you understand what I'm talking about!
Written by Jules
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Disabled community and Disasters
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, disabled people found themselves futhermore disabled. A deaf man walked through the flood waters carrying a legless man on his back for hours before they found firm ground. A pair of brothers was found at their uplifted house, not aware of the hurricane or the flooding because they are deaf and blind. Several deaf families seeked help at the Superdome but no one understood them. At the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, a single interpreter was run into exhaustion going forth and back between two buildings where the deaf evacees were placed. Elderly, unable to flee the floodings, died in the nursing homes.
Over and over through time in the United States, people with disabilities have been overlooked in natural or man-made disasters. Several agencies are concerned about this matter, especially after September 11, 2001. The National Council on Disability, the United States Department of Transportation, the President's committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and Americans with Disabilities advocates are among the agencies that focus on people with disabilities-related concerns, such as employment, physical and mental health and, of course, natural and/or man-made disasters. Those agencies work toward the goal of improving emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities.
The National Council on Disability and the Anneberg Washington Program studied what is needed for the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities. Mainly the agency found that barriers for disabled people continue because any new information or accessible lessons developed during former disasters are not put into future preparedness and planning. After any disasters, disabled people have limited or no access to emergency centers; the distribution of much needed water and food may be inaccessible to people in wheelchairs, for example. Limited access to communication is often found during and after the disaster, making it harder for the individuals with disabilities, especially with deafness. Interpreters reported that more often than not, evacees staying at the convention center had to listen to the continuous announcements from the public address system while the deaf people had no idea what was going on unless an interpreter was there. The deaf evacees were a week behind in receiving needed services at the Astrodome due to limited communication. During disasters, electricity could be shut down and that can be incapalitating for people relying on respirators, and/or motorized wheelchairs. A woman with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was carried 68 flights of stairs by two heroic men right after the first plane hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 because she could not use her motorized wheelchair or the elevator.
Red Cross and FEMA have been criticized by people with disabilities because those agencies do not consider the disabled people when disasters occur. Often these agencies set up evacuation centers or shelters that are inaccessible to people with disabilities. Interpreters reported that when the hurricane predicted to hit Texas, they volunteered to drive a deaf group to a shelter that was handicapped-accessible, but when they arrived there, the shelter was full. So they were sent to another shelter and another before they finally found a shelter for the deaf group. However, nothing was put aside for them such as cots or food. So the interpreters used their pagers to contact the deaf community for help and the deaf community was very happy to donate air mattresses, food and blankets.
Blanck identified key issues that need to be tackled for the people with disabilities. The key issues are 1) ensure that there are accessible locations and services; 2) that the communication and information is accessible to the victims; 3) assure that information for caregivers is reliable and accessible; 4) working with media; 5) working with the disability community; 6) preparing and training for future disasters; and 7) setting up universal design/access and strategies. To explain further the goals are to ensure that the information is accurate and that the people with disabilities get needed supplies and equipment. First, the shelters, evacuation centers and distribution locations(food, water and services) are to be accessible for the people with disabilities. Second, the disabled victims need access to communication and information. For example, they may need to know if other relatives or friends are safe, or if they are to be put in housing. Third, the rescue and crisis intervention personnel need to know where the people are, in order to ensure that they have appropriate tools (such as an interpreter), and track the people for appropriate treatment. Fourth, involving the media will get more attention for the needs for the people with disabilities. After the flooding killed the elderly, media alerted the public and so there was an investigation into on if the elderly could have been safely evacuated before the hurricane hit. Also FCC is responsible to ensure that information is accessible to people with disabilities, including closed captioning during emergencies. Fifth, the disability organizations need to work with rescue, relief, media and state organizations to educate these agencies about the special needs of the disabled community and work together on setting up preparedness plans. Sixth, the rescue and relief organizations need to know what medical gear they will need and how to use this equipment. An example would be how to set up insulin pumps for diabetic people. Seventh, the federal and state government working with the rescue organizations in setting up universal design. This will greatly help and make activities smoother for the volunteers, doctors, rescue folks, as well for the people with and without disabilities.
After the Northridge earthquake, the San Francisco Independent Living Resource Center set up tips for people with disabilities. They have a website and pamphets that are available for the public to read and use. For the mobile challenged, the list includes storing a battery for the motorized wheelchair and a backup equipment such as a walker, crutches or cane. The deaf individual is advised to install visual smoke alarms, and to have written communication to be used for emergency personnel; as well as storing batteries for the TDD (Telecommunication Device for Deaf.) The agency also suggests that the disabled individuals set up a network for personal support. In that in mind, if an emergency occurs, someone can check upon the individual and provide assistance if wanted. Also suggestions are to have a self-assessment on what the individual is able and unable to do in emergencies (such as a person depending on a wheelchair may be unable to go down the stairs yet able to use the phone to ask for assistance.)
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, programs ensuring safety for disabled people in emergencies is required of the local governments. The guide says that the government needs to work with the disabled community in planning and educating the public how to work with the rescue and relief organizations and in turn the rescue and relief organizations need to learn how to work with the disabled community in how to communicate, provide appropriate equipment, and provide appropriate shelters if needed.
The bottom line is that many improvements are needed to be done for the people with disabilities in case of emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. If not for the two men, Tina with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis would have died in the World Trade Center. If not for the interpreters at the Astrdome, the deaf evacuees would not have "heard" the announcements for housing, food and registration information. Without the accessible information and volunteers, those individuals would experience a disaster of their own within the natural/man-made disaster.
References:
An ADA guide for Local Government: Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities.
Http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/emergencyprep.htm
Blanck, Peter David. Disaster Mitigation for People with Disabilities: Fostering a New Dialogue.
Http://www.annenberg.northwestern.edu/pubs/disada/
Lathrop, Douglas. Disaster! If you have a disability, the forces of nature can be meaner to you than anyone else, but you can fight back. Be prepared.
Http://www.accessiblesociety.org/topics/independentliving/disaster.htm
Quigley, Mark. National Council on Disability Calls for Immediate Changes in Emergency Planning for People with Disasters.
Http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/news/2005/r05-486.htm
Parks, Louis B. and Warren, Karen. Unable to hear, many were left lost.
Http://www.chron.com/disp/story/mpl/front/3348415.html
Earthquake tips for People with Mobility Disablities. Earthquake Tips for Hearing Impaired.
Http://www.preparenow.org/eqtmdis.html and Http://preparenow.org/deaf/html
Written by Jules
Over and over through time in the United States, people with disabilities have been overlooked in natural or man-made disasters. Several agencies are concerned about this matter, especially after September 11, 2001. The National Council on Disability, the United States Department of Transportation, the President's committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and Americans with Disabilities advocates are among the agencies that focus on people with disabilities-related concerns, such as employment, physical and mental health and, of course, natural and/or man-made disasters. Those agencies work toward the goal of improving emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities.
The National Council on Disability and the Anneberg Washington Program studied what is needed for the emergency preparedness of people with disabilities. Mainly the agency found that barriers for disabled people continue because any new information or accessible lessons developed during former disasters are not put into future preparedness and planning. After any disasters, disabled people have limited or no access to emergency centers; the distribution of much needed water and food may be inaccessible to people in wheelchairs, for example. Limited access to communication is often found during and after the disaster, making it harder for the individuals with disabilities, especially with deafness. Interpreters reported that more often than not, evacees staying at the convention center had to listen to the continuous announcements from the public address system while the deaf people had no idea what was going on unless an interpreter was there. The deaf evacees were a week behind in receiving needed services at the Astrodome due to limited communication. During disasters, electricity could be shut down and that can be incapalitating for people relying on respirators, and/or motorized wheelchairs. A woman with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was carried 68 flights of stairs by two heroic men right after the first plane hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 because she could not use her motorized wheelchair or the elevator.
Red Cross and FEMA have been criticized by people with disabilities because those agencies do not consider the disabled people when disasters occur. Often these agencies set up evacuation centers or shelters that are inaccessible to people with disabilities. Interpreters reported that when the hurricane predicted to hit Texas, they volunteered to drive a deaf group to a shelter that was handicapped-accessible, but when they arrived there, the shelter was full. So they were sent to another shelter and another before they finally found a shelter for the deaf group. However, nothing was put aside for them such as cots or food. So the interpreters used their pagers to contact the deaf community for help and the deaf community was very happy to donate air mattresses, food and blankets.
Blanck identified key issues that need to be tackled for the people with disabilities. The key issues are 1) ensure that there are accessible locations and services; 2) that the communication and information is accessible to the victims; 3) assure that information for caregivers is reliable and accessible; 4) working with media; 5) working with the disability community; 6) preparing and training for future disasters; and 7) setting up universal design/access and strategies. To explain further the goals are to ensure that the information is accurate and that the people with disabilities get needed supplies and equipment. First, the shelters, evacuation centers and distribution locations(food, water and services) are to be accessible for the people with disabilities. Second, the disabled victims need access to communication and information. For example, they may need to know if other relatives or friends are safe, or if they are to be put in housing. Third, the rescue and crisis intervention personnel need to know where the people are, in order to ensure that they have appropriate tools (such as an interpreter), and track the people for appropriate treatment. Fourth, involving the media will get more attention for the needs for the people with disabilities. After the flooding killed the elderly, media alerted the public and so there was an investigation into on if the elderly could have been safely evacuated before the hurricane hit. Also FCC is responsible to ensure that information is accessible to people with disabilities, including closed captioning during emergencies. Fifth, the disability organizations need to work with rescue, relief, media and state organizations to educate these agencies about the special needs of the disabled community and work together on setting up preparedness plans. Sixth, the rescue and relief organizations need to know what medical gear they will need and how to use this equipment. An example would be how to set up insulin pumps for diabetic people. Seventh, the federal and state government working with the rescue organizations in setting up universal design. This will greatly help and make activities smoother for the volunteers, doctors, rescue folks, as well for the people with and without disabilities.
After the Northridge earthquake, the San Francisco Independent Living Resource Center set up tips for people with disabilities. They have a website and pamphets that are available for the public to read and use. For the mobile challenged, the list includes storing a battery for the motorized wheelchair and a backup equipment such as a walker, crutches or cane. The deaf individual is advised to install visual smoke alarms, and to have written communication to be used for emergency personnel; as well as storing batteries for the TDD (Telecommunication Device for Deaf.) The agency also suggests that the disabled individuals set up a network for personal support. In that in mind, if an emergency occurs, someone can check upon the individual and provide assistance if wanted. Also suggestions are to have a self-assessment on what the individual is able and unable to do in emergencies (such as a person depending on a wheelchair may be unable to go down the stairs yet able to use the phone to ask for assistance.)
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, programs ensuring safety for disabled people in emergencies is required of the local governments. The guide says that the government needs to work with the disabled community in planning and educating the public how to work with the rescue and relief organizations and in turn the rescue and relief organizations need to learn how to work with the disabled community in how to communicate, provide appropriate equipment, and provide appropriate shelters if needed.
The bottom line is that many improvements are needed to be done for the people with disabilities in case of emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. If not for the two men, Tina with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis would have died in the World Trade Center. If not for the interpreters at the Astrdome, the deaf evacuees would not have "heard" the announcements for housing, food and registration information. Without the accessible information and volunteers, those individuals would experience a disaster of their own within the natural/man-made disaster.
References:
An ADA guide for Local Government: Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities.
Http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/emergencyprep.htm
Blanck, Peter David. Disaster Mitigation for People with Disabilities: Fostering a New Dialogue.
Http://www.annenberg.northwestern.edu/pubs/disada/
Lathrop, Douglas. Disaster! If you have a disability, the forces of nature can be meaner to you than anyone else, but you can fight back. Be prepared.
Http://www.accessiblesociety.org/topics/independentliving/disaster.htm
Quigley, Mark. National Council on Disability Calls for Immediate Changes in Emergency Planning for People with Disasters.
Http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/news/2005/r05-486.htm
Parks, Louis B. and Warren, Karen. Unable to hear, many were left lost.
Http://www.chron.com/disp/story/mpl/front/3348415.html
Earthquake tips for People with Mobility Disablities. Earthquake Tips for Hearing Impaired.
Http://www.preparenow.org/eqtmdis.html and Http://preparenow.org/deaf/html
Written by Jules
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