Hear no evil, see no evil

May 14, 2013 • Posted in blindness, memoir writing, public speaking, technology for people who are blind, Uncategorized by

Heard the one about the deaf girl showing up at the Blind woman’s doorstep?

SeeNoEvil

In our case, this was not a joke. I’m trying to slowly get back into the swing of things, so I stuck with a plan to have 20-plus students from a disability studies class at DePaul University come visit last Thursday. My memoir Long Time, No See is required reading for this “Explore Chicago” class, and students hop on the Red Line from Lincoln Park every semester to come see where/how I live and ask questions about the book. A story in DePaul Magazine about the teacher, Karen Meyer, explains:

She requires her students to draw from an extensive list of books, articles and films-including familiar titles such as “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Sea Biscuit” and “Frieda” — which tell stories about people with disabilities.

“They tell me they pick movies they’ve seen before, but after they see it with a different understanding, they have a completely different perspective. They’re looking for themes that they’ve never looked for before,” she says. “We meet the author of ‘Long Time, No See’-we go to her house,” says Meyer, who is friends with writer Beth Finke.

Mike has been reluctant to leave me at home alone since my surgery. I’d be safe with Karen Meyer and her class here, though, so he was going to take advantage of that time and head to the gym. Our doorman called while Mike was getting his gym bag together. One student was here early, and he was sending her up to our apartment. The student never knocked on our door, and when Mike took off to leave he saw her sitting on the floor in the hallway, looking at her phone. She pantomimed to him, and Mike understood right away. “Are you deaf?” he asked. She read his lips and nodded yes.

Most of the students in this Explore Chicago class are average kids who want to learn about disabilities. This is the first time one of them had a hearing impairment, and mixing a person who is blind with a person who is deaf can be, well…awkward. We disabled types are a resourceful bunch, though. I was confident we’d manage. I let Mike usher our guest to a seat at the breakfast bar, and I shooed him out the door.

The student was probably perfectly happy looking at her phone while she waited, but I couldn’t see to know that, and if I asked, she wouldn’t hear me. What to do? I gave her a copy of my children’s book Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound and headed to my room to change clothes.

Clipboard

I have a special clipboard that has a line guide. I used it to leave a note for Carla.

I heard her thumbing through the pages for a while, but by the time I returned to the kitchen, the page-thumbing had stopped. I still had some things to do to get ready, but I didn’t want our guest to feel like I’d abandoned her. Eureka! My clipboard!

I’d also hoped to get some quick email messages out when I’d finished in the bathroom, but with a guest sitting in the kitchen alone, I didn’t feel right hiding away in my office. Wait! My talking computer is a laptop. I could bring it into the kitchen! I started typing there , and it dawned on me. I used my pointer finger to call my guest over to the computer keyboard, then pointed at the screen. . “This is how I type,” I wrote. “My computer talks. What is your name? She came to the keyboard and started typing. C-a-r-l-a.

We were in business! It was like TTD, except Carla and I were in the same room. I’d type, she’d read the question and answer. I’d manipulate the keys on my talking laptop to hear what she’d typed, and type out a response. By the time the other students finally arrived (they’d been waiting for Carla downstairs, of course!) I’d learned she lives in Rogers Park, she has one sister who is  only two years old, and sometimes it gets tiring chasing her around the house. “Will you sign my book for me?” she wrote, placing a copy of Long Time, No See in my hand. I signed it in print and in Braille. “To my new friend Carla.”

A sign language interpreter had arrived along with the group of students and stood next to me as I gave my presentation. The only thing that might have tipped them off that I had open-heart surgery weeks ago was seeing the beginning of a scar at my neck. That, and my request to sit on the piano bench rather than stand as I spoke to them. Based on last week’s success, I’m keeping a commitment to speak at a retirement community tomorrow on the benefits of memoir-writing. This Friday Mike and I are attending a birthday party for one of my favorite 80-year-olds, and next Monday I have appointments with the cardiologists who saved my life last month. After all that? I think we’ll rest.

Carli On May 14, 2013 at 2:07 pm

Beth, I love this story! I think my favorite aspect of it is your– and Carla’s– resourcefulness, flexibility, and determination. We should all strive to be more like that in our lives!

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 7:49 am

Thanks, Carli. Long ago I realized that if people with disabilities want to get out ther and be in public, we’ve gotta be resourceful. Sure came in handy last week with Carla!

Charlie Simokaitis On May 14, 2013 at 6:17 pm

The story plays like a scene from a movie. Loved it.

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 7:51 am

Like a scene from a movie? That is high compliments for my writing. I’ll take it –thanks, Charlie!

Darlene On May 14, 2013 at 7:21 pm

That is a very cool story about Carla and you! It sounds like you are healing up wonderfully. I love reading your blog Beth! You are a very special person. 🙂

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 7:52 am

Aw, shucks.

Janine Stines On May 14, 2013 at 9:44 pm

Beth,
I just heard about your surgery. Holy cow! I am so glad to hear that you have been deemed a “miracle girl” and you seem to be recovering with the same verve that you do everything else. I am sending lots of good energy your way.

I also have to say that that new dog of yours is a real beauty!

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 7:54 am

That dog of mine has been getting lots of compliments lately. As with all of us, her beauty improves with age.

Carol On May 14, 2013 at 10:19 pm

You are such a trooper.
I remember when you were interviewed by Karen on TV. It was the best interview of a deaf person talking to a blind person I had ever seen. Plus, Karen grew up a block away from me and I had just met you, and Ilove when my worlds collide.

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 7:56 am

Hmmm. I wonder. Just how many interviews of a deaf person interviewing a blind person have you ever seen, Carol?!

adventuresinlowvision On May 15, 2013 at 6:31 am

Great idea to use the computer with Carla. Despite recovering from major surgery, you are still making the effort to connect. I like that. Love your sense of humor, too.

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 3:34 pm

Yeah, I think in some ways, after that surgery, I want to connect with others more than ever — thanks for your comment!

Annelore Chapin On May 15, 2013 at 1:35 pm

Just goes to show you – ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way. And you seem to find more of them then most of us – what a lovely story.
And yesterday I say you and your two ‘buddies’ walking down the sunny sidewalk on Michigan Ave. It made this summer day perfect.
Annelore Chapin

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 3:36 pm

What a coincidence! Walking down Michigan Ave. between my two buddies Mike & Whitney on a sunny day made mine a perfect day, too!

Deborah Darsie On May 15, 2013 at 2:05 pm

How fun that challenge was! So many opportunities and the extra twist of Carla’s classmates and interpreter waiting in the lobby for her as you two got to know each other!

I am curious what Carla thought of your meeting, the meeting with ‘your’ students and what inspired her to take the class. That could be an interesting guest-post.

I am sure that Whitney & Mike will keep you on the road to healing…you are going to amaze your cardiologist with your recovery.

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 3:37 pm

Great idea — I’ll try and get Carla’s email address and ask for a guest post. I may wait until after finals, though…

Linda Miller On May 16, 2013 at 7:39 am

Fun to read this and know that you are returning to your always busy and interesting schedule. You make a positive difference in all that you do!

bethfinke On May 16, 2013 at 3:38 pm

I’ve said it before, but worth repeating: aw, shucks.

Hank On May 16, 2013 at 6:59 pm

So glad to see you back in the saddle again. Not that your stand-ins weren’t entertaining…..

bethfinke On May 17, 2013 at 5:57 am

Never fear, Hank — I am back in the saddle, yes, but will still be turning to my extremely entertaining stand-ins (and you are one of them remember…) for help with guest posts from time to time. Stay tuned!

The Empty Pen On May 16, 2013 at 9:21 pm

What a great experience. See what you miss when you wait in the lobby?

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