When we are born, we are given seven senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, intuition and humor. Have you ever considered what a life without one of these senses would be like? Many people are born without sight or hearing. What, you may be asking, does this have to do with GWRRA.

Think about this scenario for just a minute. It is common to lose some hearing as we age, but let's take it a step further and delve into the feelings and frustration of a person who has a loss of hearing or none at all. What is their life like? Even though I have spent many years with a wonderful man who is losing his hearing, I was never aware of the true feelings of frustration a person experiences who has no hearing at all. This reality reached up and slapped me in the face when by chance I met a GWRRA Member who was born without hearing. We had a nice long conversation, yes conversation, for you see the hearing impaired can carry on conversations if they know what is going on and when you talk directly to them.

By the end of our conversation, I must say this gentleman became an inspiration for me to get the word out as to how we can help our hearing impaired Members. I asked him what challenges he faced at Chapter meetings, rallies and other GWRRA activities and secondly, how we can help to make his (and other hearing impaired Members) experience in GWRRA more rewarding or comfortable. I think you will find his answers enlightening but not surprising. This is what he had to say in regards to frustrations felt at our activities.

"When I go to the Chapter functions, I am sort of lost. I have to rely on one person to try and keep me informed as to what is going on. When listening to that one person, sometimes other conversations start up and distract my interpreter, making her feel divided between two worlds. I try to figure out what the main subject is they are talking about. Sometimes I let it go. It's no use for me to try and sort it out as everyone has a different view. I sit and listen the best I can, relying on my friend to fill in the blanks."

I asked him how we could help alleviate the frustrations. "One way to help the problem is to have an agenda printed out as to what is going to be discussed at the meeting. It will help others in the Chapter meeting to know what is going on. Also, try to have only one subject discussed at a time. When talking with the hearing impaired, always speak clearly and directly to them. Try to keep the conversation one-on-one if possible, and do not start another conversation with others at the same time. When speaking to the hearing impaired, be sure not to turn away from them. When that happens, the hearing impaired person loses the conversation and doesn't know what is going on."

As you can see from this gentleman's point of view, just a few extra considerations of the impaired Members (whether they are blind, deaf, crippled or whatever the impairment may be) will go such a long way. So, when you are preparing for your next gathering, think about printing an agenda. Stand at the front of your audience and speak clearly, not looking down at your notes. Ask your staff to come to the front of the audience to make their presentations. Chances are when they stand up from where they are seated they will have their backs to some, and it may be the person who needs to read their lips. When you have something to say to them, talk directly to them, not the person they are with. Above all, please don't ignore the hearing impaired. Just because they can't hear doesn't mean they are not intelligent. They have a lot to offer!

Can we help make our hearing impaired be a little more comfortable? You bet! Just take a few minutes and ask yourself, "If I were in this position, how would I like to be treated?" I think it will put a whole new outlook on how we treat our hearing impaired.

June Agee