I'm learning BSL as I suffer with sporadic mutism. Sometimes it is situational or that awful word 'Selective' (who in their right mind would select such as disability). Sometimes it is very situational, for instance I cannot place my food order with a waitress and sometimes can't even order a pint at a bar(massive disability).

I did an introductory post detailing more, but would love to meet anyone who also suffers mutism or helps someone with mutism.

Ive decided to learn because it helps me to communicate when its too hard for me to speak. At times I get overwhelmed and struggle to use my voice. It helps my partner too, when we are trying to communicate when im having dissociative episodes and seizures etc. 

about 15 years ago, i started learning BSL but life got in the way and i stopped (a friend ran a course teaching via videos), and during a Arts and Crafts session we host, one of the attendees said they were going to learn in Jan (this year) so i thought, why not. 

it would mean being fully inclusive for as many communities, meaning anybody could come and use our service, with out accessibility issues.  So I wrote another website and any deaf pub i hear about, i list it on deaf.mymentalwellness.uk which led on to another website im currently developing, this site, the idea is to match people to other people who sign for example, it lists you and Native BSL Signer by distance, enabling you to meet in a public place giving you practice, and the Native Signer the opportunity to socialize. 

the Deaf Pub and resources site is free to use and add further pubs and resources, the BSL Practice Partners site is going to be subscription, but no more than the cost of a cup of coffee (My accountant said i cant keep doing stuff for free, so this keeps them happy), notice I say going to be which means at some point but not now..

I just want to give as many communities the opportunity to attend our service if they wish, learning BSL removes a barrier.

I was first flagged for struggling with hearing when I was under 10 years old, this was flagged in winter. I passed the hearing tests completely fine (in summer, 6 month waiting list), but my mum noted several ear infections and my "attention span" getting worse in the winter/colder months.

When I was 18, I was a lifeguard on duty, struggling through a horrific ear infection in my right ear. I was sent home, but in my wisdom I decided instead to catch a last-minute shift at the local pub, as I was a waitress too and needed the income- unfortunately. I passed out and smashed my head into the wash station in the kitchen. Both eardrums perforated. I was completely deaf during college for 6 months.

I regained my hearing after I failed all my A-Levels (I struggled to learn and revise whilst temporarily deaf) and got kicked out of college.

I then got sent to Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke to do a BTEC ICT Course, which flagged me for learning difficulties (I got diagnosed with Dyslexia). They supported me amazingly, and I ended up passing with D*'s.

Went off to the University of Southampton to do Computing, where I got flagged again for other learning difficulties; it took, unfortunately, 3 years later, when I was 23 years old, to be diagnosed with mild-moderate hearing loss.

Whilst at uni, I had a lot of vertigo attacks and headaches; my balance went out the window. After working for 5 years in IT Support, I got my final diagnosis for ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder and Meniere's Disease. 

I found out that weather impacts Meniere's Disease, which is why I seemed to have hearing difficulties more in winter/autumn but got better in Summer/Spring.

I got a lovely Sound Support Dog during this time at work that supports me at home! She's called Ocean and is a very sassy smart Cockerpoo. 

______________________________________________________ TLDR ______________________________________________________

Age: 28
Learning Difficulties: Dyslexia, ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Deafness: Mild in left, Moderate in Right
Conditions: Meniere's Disease

I am looking for people to practice my BSL signing level 1 in and around the kingston area (KT1).

Something like a week night for an hour or so, in a pub or cafe.

Cheers Glen

I think it's an exciting opportunity to be able to communicate with more people and learn about the D/deaf community and culture as well. 

Please contact me if you are an improver also looking for a practise buddy.  Many thanks🤗.

 (Apologies for the video!  I was more than nervous putting this out there!!🤗)

I originally took a level 1 course 25+ years ago as I had a friend who was profoundly deaf and a BSL teacher. Unfortunately we lost touch, but now I'm learning again 

I want to address this and hopefully learn a lot myself and maybe gain some new friends.

I work for the ambulance service, responding to those emergency 999 calls. Now this particular day was a dark early start and our first job or the day was a welfare check for a patient that wasn't responding to their lifeline call. The job came through stating that the patient was deaf, was give the keys safe details so we could gain entry to the property. The patient was alright, but they were only aware of our presence when we turned on his bedroom light. In al honesty I felt ashamed and disappointed with myself that the only way we could communicate was through typing messages on a mobile phone.  

That is why I am learning BSL.

I'm still very early on in my BSL journey but it has already come in useful.