Well, the holidays are almost over. No doubt you’ve had some interesting experiences along the way. I know I have!
We traveled from Michigan to southern Illinois over Christmas, to visit my and my hubby’s families. Being the only deaf member of both families, I knew that there would be struggles at times. Because I don’t live close by and they don’t see me very often, their signing is a little lacking (and, in many cases, non-existent), but they sure did try. For that, I was most appreciative.
I guess, since I don’t see them but every year-and-a-half or so, some of them aren’t skilled or knowledgeable in the art of inclusion as well. Sitting there, watching everyone open their presents and chatting away, was most isolative. However, it was nice just to see everyone and I tried my best not to complain.
On Christmas Eve, my mother came to me and asked if I would be willing to take my kids to see a specific movie, so my parents could have some alone time, since it was their wedding anniversary. She was going to give me the money and find out when the showing was.
”Will it be captioned,” I asked, assuming she looked into it.
“Oh,” Mom looked a little confused, as if to say, “I didn’t even think about that.”
And so I was faced with a moral dilemma. Should I take her up on the offer so she and Dad could have some alone time? Or should I politely turn down the offer and save myself from two hours of boredom? I guess there was another option…to take the kids somewhere else and they could still have their alone time without me being bored to death, but I didn’t think about that at the time.
I politely agreed to the plan and figured I might get in a good nap in the theatre. Thankfully, the weather became bad and my mother asked us not to go. But therein lies the question….
Should a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person be polite and accept an invitation somewhere they know will be inaccessible (such as a movie, wedding, or party) or is it all right to nicely refuse the offer and spare themselves a night of boredom, awkwardness, and confusion?
I think there are times when you just have to grin and bear it. If your best friend or sibling is getting married, I think there are times when you should accept and make an appearance. You don’t have to stay the entire time. However, that leaves the question of why they didn’t think to provide an interpreter for you. Why would someone so close exclude you?
Then there are other times when you should be thinking about yourself and your stress level and such. If you think you’ll be overwhelmed, or that the event will make you feel uncomfortable, don’t go. You could tell them you have other plans or that you’re not feeling well. But you could also go the other way and explain why you’re not interested in attending. It’s explanations and instruction like this that will help people (especially people close to you) understand the communication gap. Perhaps they need you to teach them ways to include you and make events accessible. Often, it’s just asking for what you need, but, unfortunately, there will be times when it won’t matter to the other person. This is the disappointment we should be prepared to deal with.
So, now I ask you, Readers, what you think…
That is such a good question and one I think about a lot. I usually just take it on a case-by-case basis, factoring in, as you said, the nature of the event and how I'm feeling that particular day. Some days, I'm more willing (which probably means I'm less tired and more refreshed and up for the challenge) to put myself in a situation where I have to work harder to keep up. Other days, I just can't handle it and have to turn it down.
ReplyDeleteMovies, however, have always been a sore point for me. As you know, it is hard to come by captioned movies in the theater. A few years ago, I had a group of friends and I know they often made plans to go see movies without me. Sometimes they told me about it, sometimes they didn't (but I still figured it out). Nothing really takes away the sting of that but I always felt like my hands were tied. What was I supposed to do, demand that they not go to the movies and play with me instead? I couldn't offer the alternative of going to see a captioned movie because it just wasn't a choice.
Thanks for blogging about this. I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with knowing when to accept or decline a less accessible event.
Wow, you have posed a very interesting question. I am hearing impaired but not as severely as so many others. I do not know how to sign yet although I know my need is there. I think I mostly go along with things but, I have taken steps to suggest things if something is in the early planning phase. For instance, my work Christmas dinner was being planned for a restaurant and when I was notified of the location, it was a restaurant I had never been to so I asked, "Is it a quiet place so I can hear conversation?" They assured me it was and the evening went well. The whole movie situation is just so frustrating. Movies are a total waste of time and money when you can't understand anything being said. Movies I've attended with my children in the past couple of months have revealed how much hearing loss I really have. In real life, I manage fairly well. But put me in a theater where I can't ask someone to face me when speaking or it's being narrated, well, just forget it. My local theater only has ONE theater with captions so only one movie choice. I did, however, use their hearing device last time I was there and it did help when turned up to the loudest volume. People seriously just don't think because they've never walked in these shoes.
ReplyDeleteSo, anyway, your question is a good one but I don't think it's easily answered nor do I think there is a concrete answer. I'd go with my gut for the particular circumstance. Sometimes I go along, other times I pose questions to facilitate my impairment, other times, I just turn things down. I think we have to be true to ourselves and what we are willing and able to deal with at the time.
I love reading your blog. Thank you for being willing to be so vulnerable and transparent to the world!
Great comment, Lucy! You hit the nail on the head!
ReplyDelete