There is a laundry list of factors in my environment that supports my emotional, physical, social and practical needs. The factors are much more complex, because I have a disability and I require certain kinds of accommodations.
People who support my needs:
My sisters provide supports. One of them proofreads and edits my papers that I prepare for classes. My English is not as elegant as hers. I speak in two different languages, which took me a very long time to become proficent in English at average level and I am still learning. They contact me every now and then to give me updates on family issues.
My parents provide tremendous supports. Although they are divorced, I maintain contact with them separately. My mother had always fought for me to have the access to a high quality education. In this day, she continues to give support such as mother-daughter conversation where I can vent all my problems to her. She teaches me some life lessons that I may not have experienced yet. As for my father, he does not provide a lot of support. However, he is there for me when I want a fatherly advice. Both of them learned American Sign Language for my sake so I could have communication access at home and build a relationship with them.
My husband, Kristopher, gives me numerous supports such as help with chores around the house, emotional and physical supports in our marriage, a friendship and relationship support where we can converse about different things, and he provides monetary for our practical needs. We also share common ground--our deafness and we are able to relate our obstacles and accomplishments.
Katie, one of several good friends, gives me the support in building friendship. We have been friends since we were 11 year olds. If I can't communicate my fears, worries, frustrations or just want to talk with someone else, she is the person I turn to. We share advice and support each other through hard and good times. She is also deaf and that gives me the freedom to befriend with who shares the same language.
Communication modes that support me:
American Sign Language is my primary language. I learned this language at age of 4 months old. It is a venue for me to articulate my needs, wisdoms, and to be a person. Without this, I would have a hard time communicating with others with speech alone. American Sign Language also connects me to others who are "like" me.
Blackberry Torch is a great technology that permits me to communicate with my relatives, friends, spouse, and employers rapidly regardless of my disability. I use text daily to communicate with my husband, parents, sisters, friends, and neighbors. Without this, I would have to heavily depend on someone with normal hearing to communicate for me as a third party and that hinder my independence. I am an independent person and would not like to depend on someone. It is percieved as negative and pity. I do not want that on my shoulders.
Facebook is a great place to maintain contact with friends who live far and near. I find it very blessing, because many of my friends who are deaf and/or hard of hearing live far away and have their own lives. This allows me to interact with them virtually. This also present an opportunity for me to build friendship with some hearing people who have no signing skills, but are interested in developing friendship. Without this, my world would be much more isolated. I live in a hearing world and it is already difficult for me to build friendship with "normal" people.
Sorenson Videophone is a amazing advanced technology that functions as a telephone with video. I use this to communicate with hearing people using video relay service operators who translate sign language into spoken English and the another way around. I also use this to call my friends (deaf) and chat with them on videophone. Again, if this did not exist, I would have to use mail and depend on someone to become a third party communicator. This would not allow me to develop a personal relationship with others. A third party is always an awkward aspect of the relationship.
American Sign Language Interpreters are wonderful people! Interpreters open communication access for me at medical appointments, in classroom (mainstream), church, workshops, and many other places. Interpreters translate spoken English into American Sign Language (and another way around). I cannot imagine living in a world without interpreters. I attended public school to recieve high quality education during high school years with three different interpreters. If I did not have that, I wouldn't be as intelligent as I am right now. I would have been developmentally delayed in many areas. Interpreters allow me to have the same access as others in gathering information, interacting with others, and enjoying some entertainments (play, etc).
Community support:
Walden University is a higher education program that allows me to study beyond Bachelor degree level using on-line services (ie: class). It also permits me to interact with others without placing a third party. Walden University supports my learning and network. Through Walden University, I am able to build my English proficiency as well as etiquette. Walden University opens accessiblities for me where I can be a normal person like everyone else.
Gallaudet University in Washington, DC is the world's only liberal arts university for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The university is a place where I could communicate with anybody in American Sign Language regardless if the person is deaf, hearing, or hard of hearing. I recieved my Bachelor degree from this university. All faculty instructed in American Sign Language, which was a wonderful access for me as a former student to gather higher education information. I am currently an adjunct instructor at this university, which is also where I earn small portion of my income. Without Gallaudet University, I would not be able to find a job or met my husband.
Independent Bible Church is a place where my husband and I attend to learn about God and His Words. It is also a place that provides American Sign Language interpreters who translate God's messages from pastors and others to us. Through this church, we met some families who we became friends with and share resources. If there is no church, we would not be able to proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that God is real and true, to learn the right ways of living, to develop faith and trust in God who created Heaven, Earth and people. Without the church, we would not have known so many friendly people.
This is our home. This is a place where we sleep, shower, eat, hang out with friends and family, and it provides the security. We feel safe and comforted in this house. It is a place where we can be ourselves. Since we are deaf, we can be rather loud or make noises that we do not realize are annoying to others. It is a home for all who need a place for refugee purpose. Without this house, we would struggle with maintaining the noises, especially in apartment complex. We would not be able to feel at ease if it was not for this house.
Entertainment accessibility:
Closed Caption is very important to me. It allows me to access to the same information and entertainment that others possess. I can enjoy television shows, movies, and news using closed caption. At movie theaters, there are selected major films being provided with closed caption for a short period of time. Without closed caption, I would be bored out of my mind trying to lip-read on teleivision. I would also be far behind on the world events.
Pet
This is our puppy named Willow. She is a mutt. Her mix-breeds: black lab, golden retriever, st. benard, and blood hound. Right now, we recognize black lab and blood hound. She has large paws, so we are not sure how big she is going to be within a year. She is 3 months old now. Although she is a puppy, she does not supply much of support except for a good exercise. I hope that she will become a hearing dog for us when she matures. That would be another form of a support system in my life.
All of these factors are great benefits in supporting my independence. Without these, I would not be this far in my life as a unique person with deafness. I already face barriers daily, which is hardly ever a pleasant thing to experience. Therefore, I am grateful for the supports I receive every day from people, community, and technology. Everyone on Earth has some kind of support system whether it is large or small. It can be as simple as a babysitter or a childhood friend who one never sees, but hears from once in a while.
