My supports

                            MY SUPPORTS

Each day in my life I feel supported by my children, they are teenagers and young adults. So, keep in mind, most of their day is spent thinking about themselves. But when coerced my kids lend me physical support by completing their chores like; mowing the lawn, vacuuming, or folding laundry. They can be emotionally supportive by surprising me with occasionally displays of affection, or by offering to run errands for me (the use of my car is their ulterior motive). My children and I talk about most things and I just so enjoy that. My friends lend me all kinds of emotional support we laugh, go out to dinner, talk on the phone, and they are always there, if I need to lean on them. My significant other, Greg is continually supportive. He and I can talk about everything. So he listens and we laugh all the time. We love to travel and enjoy exploring the world around us. One of the ways he supports me, is we participate in Crossfit together. It can be physically challenging, so he encourages me by giving me back rubs when I start complaining about my occasional aches and pains. He too likes to cook so he will often grocery shop and create delicious dinners. My friends and trainer at Crossfit have and are very supportive. They cheer me on, and encourage me to work hard. My dog Lilly is a great support and provides wonderful companionship. Often she will be sitting next to me while I do my work on the computer. Actually she is snoring pretty loudly as I write this. Lilly and I often go on jogs together, she sleeps at the end of my bed. I just love her.

I would be lost with out the computer or cell phone. Those items are examples of my practical support. I purchase items, search the web, and of course study, talk on the phone I am dependent on these items as they keep me partially in touch with the outside world.

Now if I did not have my family, friends, Lilly, and Greg, I would be lost. I am a social being, and I believe living without them would be incredibly sad and lonely. I know we all need people who within our personal circle embrace us. Without them I think I would just shrivel up and die.

I chose the challenge, of being hearing impaired. I think this challenge would impact my ability to communicate with others. I know there are communication systems, sign language that allow, those with hearing impairments to connect but I still think it would be rather difficult, as most people do not use sign language. I am sure I would be a proficient lip reader. Yet lip reading is hard to accomplish if you are not looking directly at the person.

I think it would be a tough thing to be hearing impaired. Yet, I think my friends and family would know sign language so that would be helpful. People with hearing impairments live fairly independent lives. But, at the same time I think they miss out on a lot. Sometimes it’s hard to understand social cues if you are hearing impaired. I too think it would be difficult for me to be dependent on my family and friends. I most likely would need and interpreter when engaging in conversations with others. Given my personality, I think being dependent on others would in itself be a challenge to me.

If I were a person with a hearing impairment, I probably would not need to use my cell as often.

Talking on it would serve no purpose, so I would have to be proficient at texting. Though I know their are other communication 

I think the challenge of being hearing impaired would be a tough one for me. As I love music, going to plays, concerts, and being unable to hear would not be fun! I think too going to synagogue would be a challenge. I think that there would need to be an interpreter there as well.  I know that when individuals have noticeable challenges, society struggles by always know how to act. Sometimes I would probably be treated differently. I understand the reasoning, but I think that would be hard. There are helpful support groups for individuals who are challenged with hearing impairments. I think belonging to a support group would be incredibly helpful, they would be a wonderful resource and through them I would discover answers to my questions, and be in contact with individuals who would encourage me while at the same time they would provide me with emotional support. According to the American Speech and Language Hearing association, support groups; You are not the only one with a hearing loss. Joining a support group will give you the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences. How do they handle traveling, meetings, appointments, going to the hospital, telephone conversations, hearing in theaters, and difficult family members or work associates? Have they used assistive listening devices? What has worked? Support groups are excellent forums for problem solving and mutual support. They are also good for your sense of humor—an essential for coping with a hearing loss. (American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2012).
 

I chose this challenge, because one of my favorite students of all time who was challenged with a hearing impairment. She was in my class from the time she was three until she was six. Zoe taught me so much. I held such strong admiration for her. She was a child who worked hard not to let her challenge impact her negatively. She too did not want others to judge her or treat her any differently because of her hearing impairment. She was a great inspiration to her friends and family, and  to her teacher.


Resources:
American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/support-services-for-Adults