I have been going to Deaf Shalom Zone organized events and group gatherings listed in the DSZ packet. I attended the trip to the Renaissance Fair, where I first met my Deaf Guide. This event was still enjoyable despite the rainy weather that day. I have gone to the Christ United Methodist Church of the Deaf for Lunch with my Deaf Guide Eddie. I also went to the ice Cream Social to catch up with Eddie and to meet other members of the Church. What you see and feel, describe the people, describe the atmosphere
At first I felt very overwhelmed with the idea of going to different events and arranging meeting times with both my partner and our Deaf guide. After going to the Church I relaxed a tad because I saw how casual the setting was and how family like the members where with each other. They have a no pressure atmosphere where anyone is free to come and go as they please, your able to join the services every Sunday at 12 or just come and hang later for lunch and conversation. This excited me because it became a place that I feel confortable going to alone when my partner and me cant sync our schedules.
Everyone I have meet so far is very kind, and friendly. They have been welcoming, and supportive of us students in our learning process and so has the staff of DSZ. How are you feeling about the placement? At first I was nervous about my placement. I was placed with Eddie as my Deaf guide a man who is full deaf and full blind. I have had no previous experience with anyone deaf/blind or with using tactile signing this was unsettling to me. I had no idea what to expect, or how the communication was going play out between Eddie, and me.
Would I understand him and if he would even understand me considering I don’t know the technique of tactile signing was a major worry for me. Finally, after meeting Eddie I felt better about my placement. He was very understanding of the fact that I have never used this mode of communication or experienced interactions with Deaf/blind individuals before and was patient with me. Overall, I am excited that I got paired with Eddie he’s is a sociable guy and is presenting me with opportunities to grow and gain new experiences.
Describe some interactions with consumers Over the past few months I have met many new faces as well as reunited with familiar ones in the Deaf community through the DSZ One opportunity I had was to work with Eddie and Brian both Deaf/blind individuals as a SSP. This consisted of guiding them both through the renaissance fair, interpreting the atmosphere around us, explaining every detail of exhibits like the reptiles, and then also just casual conversation and getting to know each other better. I also had the chance to convers with Eddie over lunch one Sunday.
This was really pleasurable and I got to learn interesting things about him. For example he loves to go camping and he told me he’s not afraid of Bears or bugs, which I told him I found funny considering he was terrified of the snakes from the reptile exhibit at the renaissance fair two weeks before. How do responses to you make you feel? In general I don’t feel as though individuals respond different to me then any other student. All the people I have meet so far seen eager to meet me and the other students from the program.
Although I did have one man say that I have delicate signing style, which I never noticed before and found interesting. Thave also seen people that I knew from going into the community for my ASL requires deaf events and they were excited as was I too see them again. So in response to how this makes me feel id say accepted by the members and encouraged by them to grow and become more involved. What would you change if you were in charge? If I were in charge I would only change a few things.
I feel as though the program with the Deaf Shalom Zone needs to be more structured and organized. This is because there seems to be difficulties with contacting Deaf guides which is a major issue conside le hours ith them affect our grade. I would also say that there should be a more formal introduction between students and Deaf guides maybe a event where all participants must attend this helps those individuals who’s guides are fully Deaf/blind and don’t use communication devices or those individuals who have no access to communication technology devices.
Best / worst thing that’s happened? So far the Best thing that happened to me I would have to say is overcoming my fear of working with Deaf/Blind. I say this is the Best thing that’s happened because it really opened me up to a whole new community, gave me the opportunity to meet incredible people, and introduced me to different learning experiences. On the other hand I feel the worst thing that has happened is when meeting one individual at the Church and not understanding his signing.
This was very upsetting to me, because I felt as though he was getting frustrated with me, because I was fine understanding and holding conversations with others, yet when it came to him I was lost. Later I had been informed that other students tend to have a hard time understanding him as well because he uses many older signs, this made me feel okay with my signing ability but didn’t change the fact that I was unhappy I couldn’t convers with him.
Do you feel like a part of the community? Since my Deaf guide is so accepting I would say yes I feel as though I am a part of the community. Eddie is always introducing me to new people when they come to say hello. Also I have meet and joined many of the other individuals from the DSZ previously at other events and gathering so knowing faces and names when I walk into a room makes me feel included in this community.