Monday, June 9, 2008

Today we were hit on by the deaf.....

O.K., so not really. Although I "was" given a home phone number :) Trey and I were shopping at Trader Joe's today (and if you are not familiar with the store, that's a whole 'nother blog post), and we were in the checkout line, when a woman came up and stood right next to me. So close in fact, that I felt really uncomfortable. I finally looked to the side of me, and she looked right at Trey and asked- "Does that work for him?".

It was very clear that this was also a HOH/deaf woman. My immediate thought was, " Am I going to get a lecture about implanting my child", because she was definitely older, and to TOTALLY generalize, I assumed she would be disapproving. But no- she is bilaterally implanted and truly LOVES her implants. Conversation was somewhat tough, because she was a bit hard to understand, and the store was *really* busy (loud), so she had a hard time hearing me. I used a combination of voice and my preschool level signs and we had a great conversation. She was the first adult to be implanted simultaneously at our local hospital. She was very proud, and so wanting to chat. I was sad to see that we were already through checkout. I will say she was also VERY quick to hand me her business card(w/ home #) and asked if I drank tap water- She was selling water filters, but I prefer to think she just wanted to connect-LOL.

We also attracted the attention of an elderly couple in the line next to us. The man/husband asked if Trey had a phone on his ear (um, no...he's only four), but his wife quickly corrected him saying "it's a cochlear implant". He told me he had retired from a university that had been researching the technology, way back when. He and his wife just kept marveling at Trey's implant. They were truly in awe that they were watching a deaf child communicate somewhat seamlessly (that said, it *was* Trey who did not do so hot at his last IEP- I was wishing they were seeing Emily. But that said, even Trey's 'still delayed' performance blew them away).

It's funny how that happens- we have days where I spend tons of time explaining to, bonding with, feeling proud of EVERYTHING, and so many others where my kids are just one of the many kids around, nothing different *at all* . I LOVE that!

6 comments:

elizabeth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
elizabeth said...

Sorry -- had a misspelling in the earlier version of what I tried to post:

I can SO relate to the title of this post... I admit it, I'm guilty of "hitting on" other D/HOH-interested people when I spot the "telltale signs" in public (HAs, CIs, convention t-shirts, etc.). Fortunately, it's almost always been a wonderful, welcoming experience, and lead to lots of great connections and new friends. It's wonderful how a shared experience can bond people who otherwise might not have that much in common. It's a small world!

VBnBama said...

Oh, I'm a bit jealous...I've never been hit on. I do however keep some little cards in my purse w/my blog address and my email address on it in case I meet someone I'm interested in **haha**. I put those in my purse about three months ago and have only used one but when you're in a grocery store or somewhere and in a hurry, it's easier to just whip out a card and continue the conversation later if they have any more to questions or want to talk more. I always have at least one kid w/me and so I'm always interrupted or distracted and can't give my full attention when sometimes the person really needs it. You are so funny though, now I'm gonna laugh when I *hit on* people!

Laurie said...

I've been "hit" on several times as well. But, I'm always willing to share my story when the opportunity arises. And am always very interested in others who are deaf and HOH because I can relate to them so much.

My husband made "blog cards" for me this weekend. I got tired of writing my name and information on a separate piece of paper every time someone asked for it!

Loudest Mom said...

I should really have come clean and said I'm guilty of doing the same thing when I see others with HAs or implants (w/ the exception of trying to sell the water filter-LOL).

I have a friend who has family cards as well. She gave me her card when I first met her, and I thought it was such a great idea. Who has time to write down info, when kids are running wild.

tammy said...

One of my good friends "hit on" a lady at our local Target store who has CIs and told me about their great conversation. So everytime I go to Target now (which seems like ALL the time), I look for her so I can "hit on" her and exchange stories! I too look forward to being hit on! : ) I also loved the fact that the lady corrected her husband and actually knew they were CI's!