Category: Hear No Evil - See No Evil
Hi. I've been blind all my life, and now I'm losing hearing. Partly due to sinus issues, and they found ulsers on my eardrum.
About a year ago, I was told by a professional that because some guy nearly broke both wrists, sign language wouldn't be a first choice for me. I guess it's because of the nerve damage, or something.
All that to say, with my left ear going, and now it seems my right one too, I need to come up with ideas for being creative. I can and hopefully will always be able to talk, but it's a question of the hearing folks trying to make themselves understood to me.
Right now, I'm using hearing aides, but I want to prepare. I guess the doctor finding what she did, kind of scareed me. I tell my sighted friends, and my counselor that I'm "Losing my sight." I say that because hearing is such a part of compensation, that I'm sort of acting like newly blinded folks, saying: "What am I gonna do?!" Oh, and I'm not good at reading most raised letters. I can read all but UEB Braille, and will get a class online, if the programs I'm in aren't as slow as they are now.
I like creative ideas. This is the person who thinks a collapsing funnel is "COOL!" Laughing.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Sarah
Based on what I've seen in your posts, you are a strongwilled, determined woman. I have no doubt that you'll conquer this challenge too.
Having said that, Let me put on my creative hat.
Is there a notetaker with a qwerty keyboard and a braille display? Perhaps something like that would work, if Rehab would purchase one. I'm sure they're ridiculously expensive is why I suggested that Rehab purchase it.
I'll try to think of some other low tech options but this one is a stumper. I can certainly understand your fears. I would be freaking out, myself.
Go to ICanConnect.org and sign up, so they'll get you the equipment you need. It's a program for the deaf blind, and you'd definitely qualify. You can browse through all the equipment and select what you need.
I want to get like a note taking display that can be either/or. I know family that can help me learn the "Braille-Note," and my bro said that's most like the Braille-Lite, that I had before.
If I can get something like that to change into a display as well, that's my dream. Or is the Braille-Note made, anymore? You all have good ideas.
Thank you, and God Bless!
Sarah
This isn't very creative, but it is very basic.
Several years ago, I met a lovely young woman who was blind and losing her hearing-I think she had very little functional hearing by the time I met her. She could sign but most beople don't know sign. So she had people who didn't know sign just "write the letters out on her palm. Why not give it a try now and see how it works? It will always be a back up if nothing else. I think most people would be able to figure out what is being "written" in their palm if you don't do it too fast.
Arrgh! This might be totally unhelpful depending on whether or not you were taught the standard visual alphabet.
Hang in there-Domestic Goddess gave you a great answer. Keep at it and you'll find a way.
Well, I can learn the shapes, at first. I'm going to talk to someone about getting some kids' thing with the alphabet. I mean, why not? If I can learn the shapes, I can figure it out. At least, my mouth still works, so I can ask: "Is this an O?" I mean, it's got to be that simple. I have other ideas, but they won't be necessary till later.
This infection is really enlightening me. I went swimming with the earplug in, and kept getting lost. I 'm adjusting, but it isn't easy.
One thing someone suggested, is finding out how long it takes with me having Norrie's, for me to lose all functional hearing. I'm going to contact a specialist, and ask which specialist I need to see. I do have a record in Genetic Research, so I might give them a call.
Knowing may not be easy, but I got to know something. And, all the websites in the world, are going to give you mixed answers. That, I feel, is my next step.
I'm very thankful for all these good ideas!
God Bless,
Sarah
Fingerspelling into the palm of a hand would probably work in your situation... this is how
Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan did it during Helen's lifetime.
I've seen it (fingerspelling into the palm of a hand) in action here in London, so I know that
it CAN be done... American Sign Language fingerspelling it is easy enough to learn - I
learned when I was a kid and it appears to be easier than British Sign Language... just like
learning to read braille, it just takes practice.
Good luck to you!