Jump to content

Why am I learning? My best friend is losing her hearing.


Leeza
 Share

Recommended Posts

I have been interesting in learning BSL for quite a long time. My mum works at a special needs school, and I picked up a little Makaton when I did my work experience there, and I've toyed with the idea of learning proper BSL ever since. What pushed me to learn though, is my best friend. My best friend Obi lives with me, and has done for nearly 2 years. I knew her hearing wasn't great, but I'd just raise my voice a little and we got along just fine. But she has a degenerative condition due to a deformity in her ears and her hearing has been deteriorating over the last 5 years or so. I didn't realise how serious this was until last week she told me she missed being able to hear me sing, and missed my voice. It only clicked then that the reason we had been struggling to communicate was she was trying to read my lips, as she could no longer hear me. We are both now learning BSL so we can continue to talk to each other without it being awkward of alienating for either of us. So far, her favourite word is 'interpreter' and likes to show me memes about 'gang signs' and deaf kids... 

I look forward to meeting you all. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

  • Latest Posts

    • Hi! I am learning BSL alongside a group of hearing friends and our deaf friend who will in some years will need BSL to communicate. But I am also a theatre maker and want to be able to collaborate with Deaf artists and audiences. I am also autistic and find verbal communication difficult sometimes so I'm hoping BSL can help me communicate.
    • New BSL Level 1 & 2 courses starting face-to-face (Central London) and online - https://www.teachmesign.co.uk/ All courses are taught by deaf native BSL signers. Teach Me Sign also have an online learning portal for students, which has lots of videos for self-study and homework between lessons. Please get in touch via the form on our website for more details.
    • Hi Jenny, that is something they have mentioned but to be honest I've not yet really had any information about them just had a bout of perichondritis it just seems to be one thing after another I have another ENT appointment 28th December I'll ask for some information, thankyou 😊 
    • I've decided to learn BSL because I've experienced sudden onset severe hearing loss in both ears. The ENT has told me there isn't anything they can do to help. I'm in the early stages of getting bone-anchored hearing aids; this process will take about a year. I want to have as many communication tools in my arsenal as possible, especially as my hearing is likely to continue to worsen.   Jenny
    • Hi Dawn, I also suffered from chronic infections with in-ear hearing aids. Have you and your GP/ENT/Audiologist ever discussed bone-anchored hearing aids?  I'm trialling them now and so far it's an absolute game-changer for me. They sit behind the ear and use bone conduction to stimulate the auditory nerve; nothing has to go inside your ear with those.   Jenny
    • So here's a quick introduction to myself. My name is Jenny. I'm a teacher and therapist for children with learning or emotional support needs. I'm learning BSL because I have just recently experienced sudden and severe mixed hearing loss in both ears.  I'm hoping I'll be approved for implantation of bone-anchored hearing aids soon, but that process will take at least a year so in the meantime... here I am!
    • For when you don't know the gender of who you're talking about and when talking to people who are non-binary (like myself).
    • Hello everyone I work in a prison and I’m very aware we have limited resources in terms of BSL. Trying to learn the basics to support anyone who may find themselves in custody 
  • Fingerspelling Scoreboard

    (top 10 - past 24hrs)

  • Fingerspelling Animation Maker

×
×
  • Create New...