Relay Interpreting

As a formerly hard of hearing person--I liked the use of TTY's, as I could type my own words and not depend on the interpreter interpreting for me. Or better yet, the voice carry overs. (VCO) Where I could use my own voice, and still read what the interpreter was saying. They do still exist---mine just quit working. :( Or in the latest few years-the online relay options were terrific! (which are now pretty much exinct)

VideoPhones are the latest "new" thing over the past 4-5 years. Like wine, they get better with age. New features are always coming out. They're faster, more convient than the old way of typing.

They also have that VCO feature, so I need to give that a try. I think I'll be much happier--though I hate voicing for myself--because I cannot hear myself. VCO--All for the simple reason of: I want my words to be spoken the exact same way I sign it.

It amazes me how the interpreters can change a simple english sign or even sentence around by rephraseing it to mean the same thing, in an entirely different sentence. I do not get this. I sign exact english or ASL in english order--and they still manage to rephrase it. What--did ya'll take "rephrase" class or something??

I only RECENTLY let me emphasize RECENTLY started using Video Phones for my personal phone calls when they took the typing ability away from us. Why? Because of the above problems. The interpreters have improved TREMENDOUSLY yes--since the requirement levels have went up. Its "satisfactory" for the most part. I still perfer my own words though.

In the beginning when I gave Video Phones a try alot of things like this happened:
Me: "Dad, my I think my oil is still dripping. Its low again"
Interpeter: (who knows that the heck she said here)
Dad: "What? it cant be running out renee. it might be just leaking a little bit, im sure it still has oil in it"....(bec he had just worked on it a week or so before)

my dads reply tells me the interpreter was WAY OFF! I tell dad that I'll just call him on the slow relay (which is what we called the tty or online relay)

Another example:
Me: "Tell pawpaw i will be there in about an hour"
son: "Grandma? Who's grandma? momma, when you will be here?"
(Didnt I just already say this?...and....grandma?!)
Me: Brandon-Tell PAWPAW , Me-Momma, will arrive in one hour.
(I rephrased to see if the interpreter would catch that simple signing word for word)
Son: "momma, meme is not here"

Can I scream now please????. So theres a wasted few mintues. So I have to CALL my dad on the cellphone, and HOPE he picked up and hears my voice when I say "dad I'll be there in an hour"......

So today, things seem to be better. They seem to be getting it right---just not in the sentences I want. Okay let me also say--it works great for some. Especially for those ASL deafies. I dont' know many who share my frusterations. Mostly its just the hard of hearing or exact english deaf individuals that share the same frusterations as I do.

VCO will solve this. I'm gonna give it a try. I just truly dislike voicing for myself. I find myself occasionally stumbling over words. Happes when you've been deaf for almost 10 years.
And yes, I have perfect (well almost perfect) speech. One doesn't lose their speech overnight--if u were to become deaf tomorrow--you would still have your speech. Thats me. But if I don't use it--yes, I'll lose it. (well at least that almost perfect sounding speech anyway)
Thats it for this blog.