'Reading a recent post on Deafread by a low visioned deaf person, brought back some old memories.
Quite a few years ago, when I was single and my children all grown and out of the house, I usually had 2 or 3 jobs going at the same time. For several years I moonlighted in a group home for the deaf, some of whom had low vision, a few had mental problems, and a couple of them were on parole.
One deaf/blind young woman that really got to me was Kim. She had to be driven to the U. of Oregon Medical facility every so often for checkups because she had glaucoma and she had been going there for many years. Well on this day, I was chosen to drive her to her appointment. I was not familiar with the U. of Oregon and finding a parking place was a problem and the METERS were a bigger problem. Fumbling around in my purse for the right change took a few minutes. While my back was turned, Kim disappeared! She was gone, vamoosed! Needless to say, my heart was pounding and I felt pretty stupid. I was in an unfamiliar place and I had lost a deaf/blind girl!
I gathered my wits about me and went to the Information Desk. "Excuse me, I have lost a deaf/blind girl". (Blushing).
The receptionist laughed and laughed and told me to go ahead and go to the doctors office where the appointment was to be. She seemed to know what she was talking about and kept on chuckling at my discomfort.
Sure enough, there was Kim in her doctor's office, sitting there waiting her turn with her white cane firmly planted on the ground and with a big smile on her face! I was lost but she sure wasn't!
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This brought back memories of my first job. I used to take weekly walks with a lady who was deaf blind and had obtained a new guide dog. Even though I was young and she was older, I could barely keep up with her fast paced walking. :)
ReplyDeleteHI Lantana. I just wanted to say I love your blog. I love that you have used larger print for those with low vision. It inspires me to do the same over at my blog (www.earofmyheart.com) once I figure out how. It's a very respectful thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI've added your blog to my blogroll. :)
I love the pictures on your blog and I love your garden! Looks like you work hard on it and it looks very healthy.
I used to live in the Pacific Northwest for 12 years. Seeing your photos brings back memories and makes me miss it up there.
Hug a tree for me. ;)
LaRonda
www.earofmyheart.com
Thanks Karen and LaRhonda for the comments. Karen, I know exactly what you mean about the vision impaired walking fast. They really scoot!
ReplyDeleteI worked with one blind/deaf young mother who had a beautiful 3 year old daughter. The 3 year old had already learned how to manipulate her mother and the mother in turn would "turn herself off" and retreat into a shell when she did not want to be bothered! The child would take a chair and get into the freezer and have popsicles for dinner.
That was the most difficult job I ever had!