November 10, 2008
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When I go into work at four in the morning there are only two other people there. The slicers, two women that I enjoy knowing very much. One is hard of hearing and the other is completely deaf and doesn’t speak.
I have always wanted to learn sign language and had taken a class at college, but not having anyone to talk to, I never really used it. Jes and Jada consider me a challenge and everyday they teach me how to use a new sign. I know they’re enjoying it too, The other day they laughed at me because I was trying to call Jes a booger and end up telling them I am a nose picker instead. (Yeah, don’t act like your surprised.)
When I come in it’s always quiet, the bread bakers have just left and the girls turn off the stereo that the night crew blares heavy metal from at full volume. Jes and Jada live with it while the guys are there, but say that the vibrations can get annoying, so they turn it off as soon as they can.
I respect this, for me in the early morning silence is just fine and we often go through the hours of four to six thirty with very little vocal sounds and lots of hand jesters. This morning though I was singing one of the many songs in my head, kind of off in my own world, when Jes came up to me and told me she was hearing beautiful music. Let me tell you, my voice is far from beautiful, but to have her think so made me feel warm and fuzzy.
Even if she does think I’m a booger picker.
Have you ever known someone who is deaf or hard of hearing?
Comments (36)
I have a couple of friends who are, and my brother is very hard of hearing. I always wanted to learn sign language. I need to.
My little brother isn’t deaf, but he damn sure has selective hearing. Does that count?
Good morning Ang! Just want you to know I read your posts, I just haven’t been visiting anyone much….yours are always inspirational to me! Yesterday, when I was in Marshall’s, there was a mother and daughter shopping…they were both deaf and signing to each other…they were having a blast talking about tablecloths, giggling away! We lived next door to a couple who were profoundly deaf…their only child was not. They were a close family. I never learned signing, but have always wanted to…
Have a wonderful day, my friend! Lowie
Nah, but I know people who sign.
But they do not know anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing…. so I’m not sure where that skill comes into play for them… =P
When I was a teenager, there was a guy I worked with at a KMart who was deaf. He could speak well enough that you could understand him, and he read lips very well. He was so fun! Once in a while I wonder where he is and if he has a family now. We used to go out dancing all the time after work. He was a great dancer.
I think that is beautiful the Jes said that…..I find that amazing….
no, butt i have known a few booger pickers !
I had a great-great-uncle who was deaf, so my grandfather taught me to sign the alphabet at a very young age. I don’t know other sign language, but the alphabet has always stayed with me. A lot of people sign with their kids as babies…..we never did at our house, but our friends did, and found out later on that their younger son was seriously hearing impaired. They already had such a strong base on the sign language that it really helped them cope and adjust.
In my stay-at-home years, I worked as a captioner for Deaf college students. I used the same machine court reports use and typed the lectures as they were being given onto my laptop. It was a lot of fun. I took two semesters of ASL in college for my foreign language. One of those semesters was at the Indiana School for the Deaf, which was awesome. One of my students was hard of hearing and taught me a ton of sign during our breaks. I signed with my kids when they were little. It is a useful tool when they are in a team environment (swimming for us) because you can talk to them across a large area. Also, it is amazing how much of it they retained. Have a great time learning with your new friends.
i used to have a family of deaf clients. my uncle (by marriage) has deaf parents. my cousin teaches at a school for the deaf. and my nephew is profoundly retarded and can’t speak but does some rudimentary signing instead. that’s a long way of saying, i’ve been around a little sign language in my life.
i can sign a little. i taught the girls some basic things (more, please, thank you, cookie, shoe, that sort of thing). em’s favorite sign at the moment is “poop”. go figure!
That’s so great that you’ve tried to learn sign language
What kind of place do you work at?
LOL at you telling her you were a nose picker! It’s great you’re trying. I love the silence at that time of the morning. Take care.
My mother has a friend who is almost blind and can’t hear very well because of an accident. But she is still brave enough to do calls which are a bit complicated at times.
I love heavy metal vibrations! Great post!
I’m losing mine but hubby is too so we might have to do sign before long. All that rock when we were young.
My whole family are all women and hard of hearing.
At least when it comes to me anyway.
Do husbands count???
My Grandmother was hard of hearing, but she refused to go and get herself a hearing aid, because she didn’t want to look old. Funny, her brother and sister both had hearing aids…
I saw the Australian actress from “Children of a Lesser God” at an airport. She was assertively signing and speaking to someone about her luggage, and she looked pretty angry. I think it’s because she was rather loud (and full of gestures). I’m sure you have a beautiful voice. I’d like to hear a recording.
I don’t think I ever have known anyone who was deaf now that I think about it. That’s cool that they’re teaching you to sign.
Oh Sis I loved the U tube …thank you for shareing that with us… and you are Beautifull…….I love you Hugs MoM.
I’ve never known anyone who was deaf ~but I’ve always wanted to learn sign language.
ya think it’s funny, but it’s not (it’s snot, heh)…did you know that boogers are pliable, up to six hours?…that means you can play now, put them back, and play more later….mmmm….boogers…not just for breakfast anymore…hugs, animal
The music was beautiful because it was coming from a gorgeous soul. Yes. My friend’s sister is deaf.
Kay, my wifey say’s I’m getting hard of hearing.I think she is beginning to mumble.
Uncle JIm
Enjoyed the post,
I love this glimpse into your working world, Ang. It paints a simple but sweet picture of you, doing your task, engaging with two women with your humility and good humor. Wonderful.
I don’t know anyone who is hard of hearing. But sometimes Matthew tries to pass off his “selective hearing” as poor hearing (like when I ask him to take the garbage out). Does that count? Sometimes that results in a bit of sign language (all in good humor, of course)
You ARE beautiful. What a nice post!
LOL u are a nose picker!!!
Funny Ang!
Seriously though- yeah my Dad is a bit hard of hearing but refuses to admit it.
I fear the day greatly when he can’t hear us at all anymore. My brother and I have already learned sign language… but Dad knows none. Funny that the two of us who hear just fine are the ones who know sign language!!!
I hope all is well in your world Ang. Take care.
Amberley
PS I don’t know about your singing voice… but you type beautifully. A very vivid pic of your life in words.
My grandparents were missionaries in Oklahoma working with deaf people, so I’ve met quite a few and even attended their deaf church a number of times. I can sign the alphabet, “Jesus Loves You,” “God is So Good” and most of the chorus of “You Light Up My Life” (fourth grade music program). I also know the sign for “coffee” since I had to work the coffee station at their 50th anniversary reception, although it’s very similar to another sign and I’m never sure now if I’m doing it right.
They began working with deaf people because of my grandfather’s brother, who was deaf. Uncle Fred and Aunt Juanita (also deaf) lived in Houston, and Mom says Uncle Fred sometimes turned to talk to people while he was driving.
Two of my cub scouts passed the signing test. Of course, they use this to keep secrets from the rest of the kids.
I run into people who are deaf and hard of hearing every day.
I have a bad hearing but I would appreciate the melody of your voice , Ang
Love
Michel
@thankee - I bet ASL would come in very handy at your job… just like knowing all about those pescy midicloriens…
Mornin Glorie…. I live in Cave Spring, Georgia…..”Home of the Georgia School for the Deaf”…. I know signs!!! The best sign I know is for Ice Cream…get your friends to teach you that one…you’ll Love it!!!! ilym