You're Not Deaf Anymore!

[Guest guest]

Hello everybody,

I have never thought this would happen, and it was little hard for me to

understand. Meanwhile I would need more time to figure this out, I would like

to share this story.

I was explaining to couple of my friends about my job hunting, and one of them

asked me if it was OK for the employers to call me. Without thinking about my

hearing loss and use of Relay Service, I was puzzled and responded that it was

OK for them to call me. She continued to ask that they could call me directly.

I realized about my hearing loss and all that, and explained that the employers

could still call me at my cell phone number and leave a message. She kept

asking if I was going to return the phone call, and I stopped for a minute to

figure out where this conversation was going. I answered slowly and politely

that I would be able to return the phone call through Relay Service. I was also

wondering because she knew about the Relay Service. She asked why I couldn't

take their phone call directly and talk to them on the phone, and said that I

wasn't deaf anymore? That stopped me cold, and tried to comprehend this logic

for a minute.

I was thinking and wondering what it was. Was it ignorance? How was I

perceived as a person with a hearing loss? Was I expected to do and act like a

hearing person? Needless to say, many questions were asked and I needed time to

figure something out.

I wondered if you had a similar encounter?

Pondering,

Kent

--Mekutochi

Left Ear -- Cochlear Nucleus Freedom

Implanted: August 15, 2005

Activated: August 23, 2005

Right Ear -- Pending

---------------------------------

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using

Messenger with Voice.