A train of thought I haven’t looked at for a while
October 24, 2009 – 11:26 pmReading this article set off a complex chain of mixed feelings. I see now why Caitlin wanted to talk with me about this when I was on campus for graduation in May – I’m looking forward to that conversation (and others on related topics with various people) when I return to Boston for the spring.
First thought: “It’s never stopped me.” Second thought: “I wonder how he sees the world, what life is like, that he would say these things.” Third thought: “Hm – Caitlin, too.” Third thought: “Well… that first thought isn’t entirely true. It has made some things harder. And made a few things hard enough that I chose not to do them.” Fourth thought: “….fascinating.”
My hearing aids are out of batteries. I hope I’ll find the right ones somewhere in Toronto in the morning; it would be nice to be able to listen to the sounds of the city in all the ways I can. I wonder if I’ll get a chance to let this train of thought run out some more when I’m in Rochester; the Jacobs family helped my thinking on this tremendously the last time I was in town.
2 Responses to “A train of thought I haven’t looked at for a while”
Would you consider making notes in your blog posts about what tasks were impeded or stopped by your hearing loss and if there could have been something to address that issue? I must admit that the few times I spoke with you, I had difficulties with understanding your speech and was unsure/embarrassed how to approach you about that during or after the exchange. A hand signal that expresses ‘louder’/'enunciate’/'repeat’ or what? Or a mel-conversation-protocol? As someone who has tinnitus and a slight loss, I can only image what you experience. Thinking in a sexist-mode, if someone called you a ‘girl’, you would note how that affected your work and seek a redress. My idea would be similar.
By Kevin Mark on Oct 25, 2009
Sure! I’ll try to make notes for that in the future. For the record, I don’t mind (actually, I appreciate) bluntness – just saying “sorry, I’m having trouble understanding you, could you repeat that and slow down?” makes me conscious that maybe I should articulate more or not jabber so fast. I tend to call folks out when I have trouble understanding them (and need to) – or at least I try – so if anyone misses my error message, it’s my fault, or I’m consciously choosing to not give it because the moment will go smoother that way and I have other ways to cope.
By Mel on Oct 25, 2009