Tuesday, 11/19. Today, I decided to venture back to STLSSA.
I wasn't sure what to expect or what time to arrive, but I knew there was still
much more to learn. Mindi offered to escort me there since we weren't sure who
I was meeting. When we got there, the manager, Firkremarcus, and the founder, Gosh
Demere, weren’t there... so Mindi started giving me a tour herself. Then we
eventually found out that Firkremarcus had planned that I meet up with the
community/social workers. I had met one of them on Friday, so it was nice to
see a familiar face (Wondimagagn!). The other community worker didn't know much
English, but I was able to find out more information about their Morning
Sessions at the health clinics. I asked them to share with me the information
they share with the patients.
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| The Social Workers of SLTSSA |
First, they try to explain to the patients that deafness is
not a sin or punishment from God for a past "evil deed," but instead
it is just an issue of the ear. They explain that there are two types of
deafness, either partial or general (which means complete deafness). They
explain that being deaf can be caused by a lot of situations:
1. If a mother who is pregnant takes drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor, the drugs can affect the baby (not just with deafness, but other mental or physically diseases).
2. Alcohol can also negatively affect a baby.
3. Not having proper care during delivery (nurses, midwives, or doctors)
4. Working in a job with loud noises or hazards.
5. Listening to music with head phones.
6. Sticking things in your ear (and damaging the inner ear)
Then they talk about prevention measures:
1. Only take drugs prescribed by a professional
2. Don't drink alcohol during pregnancy
3. Go to professional doctors (the biggest reasons why women don't do this is actually awareness. Most women are just used to having a "practical mother" help deliver the baby, but they don't have real training. It's getting better, but some women don't know that they need to go to a health clinic or doctor).
4. Wear earplugs or protection for hazardous jobs.
5. Don't listen to music too loudly.
6. Don't stick things in ear.
7. Make sure to breastfeed babies for at least 6 months. Many women stop after a few months because they need to work and breastfeeding can take time, but it's really important for the development of the child.
Then after I met with them, I asked them to teach me a few signs. They aren't fluent as they are just learning as well, (because they had only been working at SLTSSA for 3 months) but I thought it would give us something to talk about since I had asked them a lot of questions already!
They asked me if I wanted to go to a community meeting with them, and I was torn... I wanted to experience it, but at the same time I was nervous. (More on Public Transportation.) They had just finished telling me that transportation is their biggest challenge. They didn't have a car to use (only one for the Administration). So they said it's hard to get around because roads are closed, construction, traffic. They said it’s very unreliable, but it’s really the only way for people to get around. When I tried to figure out what time I would be back (because I needed to make sure I had a ride home) I couldn't really understand what they were telling me (Ethiopia is on a different hour time as I mentioned earlier). Also, Wondimagagn mentioned that after these meetings, a lot of time he just goes home after, so I didn't want them to have to escort me back to SLTSSA and I didn't know about public transportation or how late it was going to be... so I turned it down… I think I let some fear creep in.. but maybe it was also some wisdom? I know it's important to get out of my comfort zone, but I know that God has a reason for everything, even turning down a potentially really rich experience, and maybe exchanging for another rich experience (which he did). So I didn’t go.
So I decided that I probably had enough for today. I didn't have anymore questions and I didn't want to keep them from work. So I said bye and decided to sit outside of the building, hoping to find the person Mindi told me that would give me a ride home. I couldn't find anyone so I just sat there. Eventually the guys came back outside and said that the meeting got postponed until next week (so of course, as always God worked everything out for my good). Then I ran into a young man, Abayneh I met on Friday who escorted me home. He was with his friend who was deaf (and a teacher, although he was very young.) His name was Abraham. Talking with both of them was the highlight of my day!
Abayneh wanted to show me his classroom/office, so the three of us went to his classroom). He is a computer teacher at the school. I was excited as I hadn't gotten to see much of the school yet. On the way there, they were both trying to teach me sign. Even though Abraham is deaf, he could understand me (I'm guessing reading lips). He understood English as well. I was very impressed. I spelled out my name for them in American Sign Language because they both knew the American alphabet and guess what?? Then Abraham gave me a sign name! From what I've learned about ASL and signing is that you can't just give yourself a sign for your name, but most deaf people (and hearing people that sign) have a sign for their name. Instead of having to always spell out a name when you are talking with and about someone, there is a sign that represents you. I think it's usually the first letter of your name and then something that will help people remember you. So he signed the letter B by his cheek because I have a mole on my cheek. Honestly, it was really exciting for me that I have a sign name and that I actually was able to communicate with him and learn signs from both of them. (Abayneh speaks English and he signs, so he was really helping to translate as well.)
1. If a mother who is pregnant takes drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor, the drugs can affect the baby (not just with deafness, but other mental or physically diseases).
2. Alcohol can also negatively affect a baby.
3. Not having proper care during delivery (nurses, midwives, or doctors)
4. Working in a job with loud noises or hazards.
5. Listening to music with head phones.
6. Sticking things in your ear (and damaging the inner ear)
Then they talk about prevention measures:
1. Only take drugs prescribed by a professional
2. Don't drink alcohol during pregnancy
3. Go to professional doctors (the biggest reasons why women don't do this is actually awareness. Most women are just used to having a "practical mother" help deliver the baby, but they don't have real training. It's getting better, but some women don't know that they need to go to a health clinic or doctor).
4. Wear earplugs or protection for hazardous jobs.
5. Don't listen to music too loudly.
6. Don't stick things in ear.
7. Make sure to breastfeed babies for at least 6 months. Many women stop after a few months because they need to work and breastfeeding can take time, but it's really important for the development of the child.
Then after I met with them, I asked them to teach me a few signs. They aren't fluent as they are just learning as well, (because they had only been working at SLTSSA for 3 months) but I thought it would give us something to talk about since I had asked them a lot of questions already!
They asked me if I wanted to go to a community meeting with them, and I was torn... I wanted to experience it, but at the same time I was nervous. (More on Public Transportation.) They had just finished telling me that transportation is their biggest challenge. They didn't have a car to use (only one for the Administration). So they said it's hard to get around because roads are closed, construction, traffic. They said it’s very unreliable, but it’s really the only way for people to get around. When I tried to figure out what time I would be back (because I needed to make sure I had a ride home) I couldn't really understand what they were telling me (Ethiopia is on a different hour time as I mentioned earlier). Also, Wondimagagn mentioned that after these meetings, a lot of time he just goes home after, so I didn't want them to have to escort me back to SLTSSA and I didn't know about public transportation or how late it was going to be... so I turned it down… I think I let some fear creep in.. but maybe it was also some wisdom? I know it's important to get out of my comfort zone, but I know that God has a reason for everything, even turning down a potentially really rich experience, and maybe exchanging for another rich experience (which he did). So I didn’t go.
So I decided that I probably had enough for today. I didn't have anymore questions and I didn't want to keep them from work. So I said bye and decided to sit outside of the building, hoping to find the person Mindi told me that would give me a ride home. I couldn't find anyone so I just sat there. Eventually the guys came back outside and said that the meeting got postponed until next week (so of course, as always God worked everything out for my good). Then I ran into a young man, Abayneh I met on Friday who escorted me home. He was with his friend who was deaf (and a teacher, although he was very young.) His name was Abraham. Talking with both of them was the highlight of my day!
Abayneh wanted to show me his classroom/office, so the three of us went to his classroom). He is a computer teacher at the school. I was excited as I hadn't gotten to see much of the school yet. On the way there, they were both trying to teach me sign. Even though Abraham is deaf, he could understand me (I'm guessing reading lips). He understood English as well. I was very impressed. I spelled out my name for them in American Sign Language because they both knew the American alphabet and guess what?? Then Abraham gave me a sign name! From what I've learned about ASL and signing is that you can't just give yourself a sign for your name, but most deaf people (and hearing people that sign) have a sign for their name. Instead of having to always spell out a name when you are talking with and about someone, there is a sign that represents you. I think it's usually the first letter of your name and then something that will help people remember you. So he signed the letter B by his cheek because I have a mole on my cheek. Honestly, it was really exciting for me that I have a sign name and that I actually was able to communicate with him and learn signs from both of them. (Abayneh speaks English and he signs, so he was really helping to translate as well.)
 |
| Abayneh in his office (sorry I don't have a picture of Abraham!) |
I learned all these really cool things from them. I learned the signs for
Africa and Ethiopia. I learned their original signs and then how they were
later changed because they were "bad" before. The Ethiopia sign has
to do with the nose, because they said Ethiopian's noses are all different. (I
thought that was funny.) Abraham told me that he made him happy that I was
trying to sign. I found out that he is a teacher at another inclusive school
(for deaf, hearing, and those with mental disabilities). SLTSSA pays for the
school fee, so that’s why he was there, to collect money.
After Abraham left, I talked to Abayneh for awhile about sign language, his computer class (he teaches about microsoft word, powerpoint, excel, publisher), and then he started to talk to me about his faith. Which I thought was incredible that he was sharing. He told me that during his class he uses Bible verses as the working material for the class. His students have to change the font size, make it bold, enter information, and have to see the Bible verses a lot as they modify it. Then many of them will ask him what the verses mean. This is his way of getting to share God with his students. He also said that there are no words to describe God's love. He talked about eternal life, God's grace, and the importance of his faith. I felt very special that he felt comfortable sharing all of this with me.
After Abraham left, I talked to Abayneh for awhile about sign language, his computer class (he teaches about microsoft word, powerpoint, excel, publisher), and then he started to talk to me about his faith. Which I thought was incredible that he was sharing. He told me that during his class he uses Bible verses as the working material for the class. His students have to change the font size, make it bold, enter information, and have to see the Bible verses a lot as they modify it. Then many of them will ask him what the verses mean. This is his way of getting to share God with his students. He also said that there are no words to describe God's love. He talked about eternal life, God's grace, and the importance of his faith. I felt very special that he felt comfortable sharing all of this with me.
My favorite part was when he asked me if I knew that the
Bible had 66 books, which honestly I didn't. I've never counted. But he said
that we are, him and me and other Christians are the 67th book of
the Bible. We must share with others through our actions. I think I've heard
something like this said before, but I thought it was beautiful and completely
spot on. It was definitely a reminder to me of why I'm on this earth. It's not
just about the experiences I have or what I can get or my job, but it's about
God. It was really awesome for him to share.
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