No one in Texas wants to hire an interpreter! - Page 2

**Jiro** · 04-10-2009, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

As I have already said, she's not a lawyer.

no I meant to serve you as terp

**Jiro** · 04-10-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

Maybe Texas is exempt from the ADA laws.

ADA is a federal civil rights law enforced and dictated by Department of Justice. no state is exempted from it. however - the problem with ADA law is that it's not strict enough. It's somewhat loosely interpreted. In short - what your doctors did was not technically illegal but borderline illegal. This definitely warrants a complaint. That's all however..... it's a difficult and slow process.... unless you have a lawyer or public attention.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

What I don't get is that I live in a largely Spanish-speaking city where Spanish interpreters are often needed and often provided whenever a Spanish-speaking patient needs one, but when a Deaf patient that uses ASL needs an ASL interpreter, they just flat out refuse to provide the Deaf patient with an ASL interpreter. What's up with that?

because your Spanish community is large and has a political representative with significant influences. I guess the deaf community within your area is very small with no political representative and no significant influence.

sometimes that's why it's usually lot easier for deafies to live in big city. but this does not mean you should move to big city nor give up. You must make example out of them.

LuciaDisturbed · 04-10-2009, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

ADA is a federal civil rights law enforced and dictated by Department of Justice. no state is exempted from it. however - the problem with ADA law is that it's not strict enough. It's somewhat loosely interpreted. In short - what your doctors did was not technically illegal but borderline illegal. This definitely warrants a complaint. That's all however..... it's a difficult and slow process.... unless you have a lawyer or public attention.

because your Spanish community is large and has a political representative with significant influences. I guess the deaf community within your area is very small with no political representative and no significant influence.

sometimes that's why it's usually lot easier for deafies to live in big city. but this does not mean you should move to big city nor give up. You must make example out of them.

The deaf community here is small? Move to a big city?

I am ALREADY living in a RIDICULOUSLY HUGE city. The Deaf community here is HUGE, very large. Hell, we even have a large part of the Deaf community here that uses LSM in addition to ASL. WE have TAD, NAD, NEAD, CSD, and a whole bunch of other Deaf organizations that I am not able to remember at the moment and my fiance has already gone to bed so I can't ask him. I live in San Antonio which is about 3 times the size of Milwaukee. It is so huge that it takes me TWO hours on the public transit bus from just from the north side of San Antonio to the south side. And that's one way, using the 551 looper-skip bus (A express bus that only stops at every other bus stop instead of every single bus stop along the way). We have a very large Deaf community here. We have two Deaf bowling leagues just on the northeast area of San Antonio alone. We have THREE MAJOR ASL interpreting agencies and one minor ASL interpreting agency. So, San Antonio is a VERY LARGE CITY. I grew up in Milwaukee from the age of 4 until I was 21, and that was a BIG city, with ample public transit (Hear Again can vouch for this) and a VERY sizable deaf community as well. But it only takes an hour to get AROUND the city on the bus, and no more than 2 buses. Here, it can take up to 4 buses or even more just to get to somewhere. It's the "NYC" of Texas. When I first came here, I was shocked at how large San Antonio was, and when I attempted to get around the city using only the bus, I found it quite difficult and exhausting due to the size of the city. San Antonio is a very overwhelming LARGE city. We have one Army base and two Air Force bases right here in San Antonio as well as Camp Bullis and Camp Stanley (military training camps) just outside the city. We have an International airport, and it is quite large. We have Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World, and we also have Schlitterbahn Park just outside the city (which I have to brag is the best damn water park in the U.S.). I'm surprised we don't have a Disney theme park here yet. San Antonio is so large, that all the public schools in the entire city has been split up into so many school districts. Milwaukee had only one district - Milwaukee Public Schools. Here...it's NEISD, ISD, and every other acronym that you can think of to call all the districts here in the city. We have several art museums as well as a natural science museum. The rush hour traffic here is WORSE than CHICAGO, and I have been through Chicago on a very frequent basis. It's insane. During rush hour, it takes me 45 minutes to get from Village Drive to my street, which normally should take only ten minutes. We have about 30 (my estimate) hospitals here in the city, including the BAMC hospital near downtown where their normal wait time in the ER is 12 hours. The nearest hospital that I go to, the wait time in the ER is 6 hours. In Milwaukee, I usually get into an exam room within 20 minutes. San Antonio is insanely and ridiculously huge that we seriously desperately need metro rail service, because the buses here are not enough. Chicago is lucky to have the EL. We do not have that. DC and NYC is lucky to have the subways, we do not have that. All we have are the crappy buses. We have about 20 cab companies here. We have the Riverwalk. We have 5 LARGE private universities, 5 community colleges, and one ridiculously LARGE public university (UTSA) with a medical school attached to it and MANY medical school campuses all over the northwest area of the city and many teaching hospitals connected to UTSA. We have two transplant hospitals. We have countless dialysis centers and blood/plasma donation centers. We have quite a few cancer hospitals. We also have a medical research center, the only one in the whole south Texas region. We constantly fly in patients from other areas of Texas on Medicaid and Medicare's money. In fact, the entire northwest area of the city is dubbed "Medical Drive/Medical Center area". We have our ghettos and we have our suburbs outside the 410 loop. With a city this size, normally getting ASL interpreting services shouldn't be such an issue...at least that is what I thought. I never had this issue back in Milwaukee and EVEN in St. Cloud, MN. St. Cloud is pretty SMALL. St. Cloud has a population of 59,107, and I had NO issues with getting an interpreter there at all, even at the university there. Milwaukee has 602,191 people and is only the 23rd largest city in the USA population-wise, and I had no problems getting an interpreter there, either. San Antonio has a population of 1,336,040, and is the 7th largest city in the U.S. and that's NOT including the suburbs at all, just what's in the San Antonio city limits, period, and I have the biggest issues in getting an ASL interpreter at all. It's insane.

So please don't tell me that it's easier to live in a big city. It is NOT easy. I have the worst time trying to get doctors to even think about hiring an interpreter for me. Most of the time, if I am only visiting the family doctor for, like say, I need birth control, I usually waive the interpreter because I already know the process and I have good writing skills and I already know enough about what I need that I'm able to get by without an interpreter, because I know it's useless and a waste of time to fight with the doctor to get an interpreter if all I need is some birth control. It's the other doctors that I have issues with, the specialists, that I want to have interpreters for, because in those situations I have multiple issues that I want addressed, the medical conversation is going to be in-depth, with medical words and phrases and terms, where I will often ask for definitions of, and if I have an interpreter present, it would make the appointment a lot easier, a lot more can be said, more issues can be addressed much quicker, we can discuss more in-depth of all my medical issues, the medical process can go much quicker, and I would be able to do all that in ONE HOUR...if I used only paper and pen, I would only be able to address one or two issues, I won't be able to get in-depth of all my issues, and I won't get the most out of the conversation that I have with my doctor, and the entire medical process can be drawn out and waste a lot of valuable time, simply because writing back and forth takes a lot longer and a lot more time than it would be if I had an interpreter present and I can just make my hands fly and say everything that needs to be said, putting me more at the same level as a hearing patient who can just flap his or her lips and say everything that needs to be said. Using only paper and pen would pull me way down and keep me way down (you could use the crab theory if you want) and total refusal to provide an interpreter just simply keeps me at the very bottom of the barrel, period. I fight for my equality as a Deaf patient and I lose every time, and I am very tired and sick of of it.

diehardbiker · 04-10-2009, 04:47 AM

Sorry, yes that is what I mean, they are bunch of volunteer attorney there assisting some of client that can't afford attorneys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

Jiro, thanks...I know what ACLU is...I really thought diehardbiker meant something else cause of the misspelling.

LuciaDisturbed · 04-10-2009, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehardbiker

Sorry, yes that is what I mean, they are bunch of volunteer attorney there assisting some of client that can't afford attorneys.

That's okay. I'll have to look up ACLU.

Hear Again · 04-10-2009, 06:24 AM

Lucia,

What about asking organizations for the Deaf in your area if they can make recommendations as to a doctor you could see? Perhaps a terp agency would be willing to provide this information as well?

Sosie · 04-10-2009, 08:29 AM

I am so sorry to hear that you went thru terrible situation.
I agree with some aders.
Tell them that they are breaking the ADA law for refusing and providing you an ASL interpreter for your medical appointments.. and that you are seeking a lawyer. (Ask lawyers around to help you to find a free legal lawyer in your area.) Threaten them. I am sure that they will scare from you and they will provide you an ASL interpreter. I wish you a lot of luck, Lucia!!!

**Jiro** · 04-10-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

The deaf community here is small? Move to a big city?

I am ALREADY living in a RIDICULOUSLY HUGE city. The Deaf community here is HUGE, very large.

there you go. Deaf Community is your resource. Contact them. Use it.

Hear Again · 04-10-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

Deaf Community is your resource. Contact them. Use it.

That's an excellent suggestion Jiro.

**Jiro** · 04-10-2009, 09:01 AM

and also contact your Congressman. just a friendly suggestion - I know you write a "novel" so please do try to keep your letter short and to-the-point.... 3 paragraphs at most with maximum of 6 sentences per paragraph.

Write Your Representative

jillio · 04-10-2009, 10:32 AM

Lucia,

Contact the NAD's legal dept. through their website. They have attorneys on staff that will write a letter to your physician. It is amazing what a well phrased letter explaining what the legal consequences are for these doctors if they continue to refuse to provide an interpreter for you can do.

I also encourage you to report them to the Texas medical board citing the fact that without an interpreter, you are not able to give informed consent for treatment, which places these doctors in an ethical dilemma. They provide fully informed consent to their hearing patients, and to refuse to provide you the services that will give you the same is also discrimination. They are on very shaky ground. But I assure you, as long as you allow them to get away with violating your rights by not reporting the situation, they will continue to do so.

LuciaDisturbed · 04-10-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

Lucia,

What about asking organizations for the Deaf in your area if they can make recommendations as to a doctor you could see? Perhaps a terp agency would be willing to provide this information as well?

Since I am on Medicaid and Medicare, I can't just use just any doctor that the Deaf organizations recommend. Some of the doctors they recommend might not accept Medicard or Medicare. I'm not sure about the terping agencies.

LuciaDisturbed · 04-10-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Lucia,

Contact the NAD's legal dept. through their website. They have attorneys on staff that will write a letter to your physician. It is amazing what a well phrased letter explaining what the legal consequences are for these doctors if they continue to refuse to provide an interpreter for you can do.

I also encourage you to report them to the Texas medical board citing the fact that without an interpreter, you are not able to give informed consent for treatment, which places these doctors in an ethical dilemma. They provide fully informed consent to their hearing patients, and to refuse to provide you the services that will give you the same is also discrimination. They are on very shaky ground. But I assure you, as long as you allow them to get away with violating your rights by not reporting the situation, they will continue to do so.

I don't think the Texas medical board is going to care.

The attitudes that I get from the doctors I was supposed to see seem to suggest that they do not care whether they are on shaky ground or not with this. I have told them that they are breaking the law. I have told them that they could be sued for this. I have told them that I am reporting them. I have told them that they could lose their job and have their practicing licenses revoked. I use every single legal-related and ethics-related threat that I can think of to get the doctors to get an interpreter and to see me. They just don't care. They say "I'm sorry for the inconvenience but we have cancelled the appointment and the doctor does not want to see you nor get an interpreter" and after I try to make them comply they usually hang up eventually. If they act this way, I don't think a letter from an attorney at NAD would do anything. They will probably laugh at the letter, make a big joke out it and crumble it up and then toss it in the trash. That's how I feel right now. I'll try this though, but I really don't hold much hope in this right now, given the way the doctors and their receptionists act and their attitudes on the phone. I'm not holding my breath nor getting my hopes up.

EDIT: I misspelled "inconvenience", it has been corrected now.

**shel90** · 04-10-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

The attitudes that I get from the doctors seem to suggest that they do not care whether they are on shaky ground or not with this. I have told them that they are breaking the law. I have told them that they could be sued for this. I have told them that I am reporting them. I have told them that they could lose their job and have their practicing licenses revoked. I use every single legal-related and ethics-related threat that I can think of to get the doctors to get an interpreter and to see me. They just don't care. They say "I'm sorry for the convenience but we have cancelled the appointment and the doctor does not want to see you nor get an interpreter" and after I try to make them comply they usually hang up eventually. If they act this way, I don't think a letter from an attorney at NAD would do anything. They will probably laugh at the letter, make a big joke out it and crumble it up and then toss it in the trash. That's how I feel right now. I'll try this though, but I really don't hold much hope in this right now, given the way the doctors and their receptionists act and their attitudes on the phone. I'm not holding my breath nor getting my hopes up.

What the HELL is wrong with these doctors?? They shouldnt be in the field of medical care if they dont give a rat ass about their patients!!!

LuciaDisturbed · 04-10-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

and also contact your Congressman. just a friendly suggestion - I know you write a "novel" so please do try to keep your letter short and to-the-point.... 3 paragraphs at most with maximum of 6 sentences per paragraph.

Write Your Representative

I don't think our congressman would give a ****. The only one who would give a **** is Obama, but he is too busy with bigger stuff so he does not have the time to read a letter from me complaining about the issues of doctors' refusal to provide interpreters to the Deaf patients here in San Antonio.

LuciaDisturbed · 04-10-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

there you go. Deaf Community is your resource. Contact them. Use it.

You think I am a hermit, I never talk to the other deaf people? I talk to all my deaf friends here all the time. Friends cannot help with making doctors comply with the ADA laws. I need something more than just friends. Legal action, etc. Doctors will laugh at your friends. I need somebody the doctors are afraid of (ethics-wise, legal-wise). But they aren't afraid of liability. Liability isn't that much anyway...someone (a friend) quoted about $30,000 on a typical case like mine....that isn't enough to scare the doctors into complying with the ADA laws. They're either rich fat cats or they have ample liability insurance that covers ADA violations. (that's what I think). If it was something like 1 million dollars the doctors would be bending over backwards to provide interpreters.

**Jiro** · 04-10-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

You think I am a hermit, I never talk to the other deaf people? I talk to all my deaf friends here all the time. Friends cannot help with making doctors comply with the ADA laws. I need something more than just friends. Legal action, etc. Doctors will laugh at your friends. I need somebody the doctors are afraid of (ethics-wise, legal-wise). But they aren't afraid of liability. Liability isn't that much anyway...someone (a friend) quoted about $30,000 on a typical case like mine....that isn't enough to scare the doctors into complying with the ADA laws. They're either rich fat cats or they have ample liability insurance that covers ADA violations. (that's what I think). If it was something like 1 million dollars the doctors would be bending over backwards to provide interpreters.

that's what I'm talking about. Deaf Professionals. or Deaf friends with connections to certain people who can do something about this outrageous case.

LuciaDisturbed · 04-10-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

that's what I'm talking about. Deaf Professionals. or Deaf friends with connections to certain people who can do something about this outrageous case.

I do not have Deaf friends who are lawyers. I do not have Deaf nor hearing friends that are connected to politicians except one lobbyist and she lives all the way up in the Twin Cities and she is only a lobbyist and nothing more. A lobbyist can't do much except support the politicians that they advocate for. I had a hearing friend who wrote campaigns for Hillary and then Obama, but he died last May of lung cancer. None of my Deaf friends are lawyers or doctors or anything like that, they have regular jobs with regular wages. I do not know anybody that is connected to people who are a "big deal" like Obama, etc. I have no such connections. None of my friends have such connections. The only Deaf professionals I know are two psychologists and someone who works for one of the major VP companies (not saying on here which one), and that is it. That won't do anything. I've worked with different organizations back in college, but they have NO connections to politicians or lawyers or anything big, and none of the organizations there are Deaf-related. They just only work within the university and not outside the university. So, I don't really have much resources right now.

**Jiro** · 04-10-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

I do not have deaf friends who are lawyers. I do not have deaf nor hearing friends that are connected to politicians except one lobbyist and she lives all the way up in the twin cities and she is only a lobbyist and nothing more. A lobbyist can't do much except support the politicians that they advocate for. I had a hearing friend who wrote campaigns for Hillary and then Obama, but he died last may of lung cancer. Most of my deaf friends are not lawyers or doctors or anything like that, they have regular jobs with regular wages. I do not know anybody that is connected to people who are a "big deal" like Obama, etc. I have no such connections. None of my friends have such connections. The only deaf professionals I know are two psychologists and someone who works for one of the major VP companies (not saying on here which one), and that is it. That won't do anything. I've worked with different organizations back in college, but they have NO connections to politicians or lawyers or anything big. They just only work within the university and not outside the university. So, I don't really have much resources right now.

which is why I suggested to you to contact deaf community to find a deaf professional who is in position to help you. but do contact your local Congressman as well. many people do not even know what their own Congressman can do for them. Handful of them probably don't give a shit but handful of them do take action because it is a good publicity for them and they continued to be Congressman because the community elected them.

My Congressman did something for my best friend soldier and for my friend doctor. contact your congressman and see where it goes!

LuciaDisturbed · 04-10-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

which is why I suggested to you to contact deaf community to find a deaf professional who is in position to help you. but do contact your local Congressman as well. many people do not even know what their own Congressman can do for them. Handful of them probably don't give a shit but handful of them do take action because it is a good publicity for them and they continued to be Congressman because the community elected them.

My Congressman did something for my best friend soldier and for my friend doctor. contact your congressman and see where it goes!

What did your Congressman do for your soldier friend and your doctor friend?

Sure, I'll write our Congressman, but I am pretty sure I won't get any response from him.

**Jiro** · 04-10-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

What did your Congressman do for your soldier friend and your doctor friend?

Sure, I'll write our Congressman, but I am pretty sure I won't get any response from him.

1. special recognition for his service and a special permission along with NYC Councilman to let him on aircraft carrier with full access (some kind of military exhibition) in NYC

2. my doctor friend and her group wrote proposal and stuff (medical related but I can't remember the topic) for legislation to Congressman for him to speak about it at the hearings

3. there are quite a handful of news about Congressmen doing something for people who wrote the complaint letters to them. You should too... Who knows if he will respond to you or not.

Etoile · 04-10-2009, 11:20 PM

You have rejected many suggestions, which makes you sound very defeatist. I understand that you've been through a lot with this, but giving up isn't the way to get anything done. If you want a successful result, you have to keep trying.

Doctors - National Association of the Deaf
Law and Advocacy - National Association of the Deaf
TexasLawyersHelp.org
Contact Us
Deaf Action Center - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Services - Advocacy (good resource, call or email them and ask for help)

jillio · 04-10-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

I don't think the Texas medical board is going to care.

The attitudes that I get from the doctors I was supposed to see seem to suggest that they do not care whether they are on shaky ground or not with this. I have told them that they are breaking the law. I have told them that they could be sued for this. I have told them that I am reporting them. I have told them that they could lose their job and have their practicing licenses revoked. I use every single legal-related and ethics-related threat that I can think of to get the doctors to get an interpreter and to see me. They just don't care. They say "I'm sorry for the inconvenience but we have cancelled the appointment and the doctor does not want to see you nor get an interpreter" and after I try to make them comply they usually hang up eventually. If they act this way, I don't think a letter from an attorney at NAD would do anything. They will probably laugh at the letter, make a big joke out it and crumble it up and then toss it in the trash. That's how I feel right now. I'll try this though, but I really don't hold much hope in this right now, given the way the doctors and their receptionists act and their attitudes on the phone. I'm not holding my breath nor getting my hopes up.

EDIT: I misspelled "inconvenience", it has been corrected now.

You will never know until you try. A letter from the licensing board telling them that they are being investigated for ethical violations and discrimination against patients with disabilities will, I promise you, wake them up. They do not want to risk license suspension, and any investigation by their governing board is leverage for you.

jillio · 04-10-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

You have rejected many suggestions, which makes you sound very defeatist. I understand that you've been through a lot with this, but giving up isn't the way to get anything done. If you want a successful result, you have to keep trying.

Doctors - National Association of the Deaf
Law and Advocacy - National Association of the Deaf
TexasLawyersHelp.org
Contact Us
Deaf Action Center - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Services - Advocacy (good resource, call or email them and ask for help)

Bingo. And good links, Etoile.

Bebonang · 04-11-2009, 01:12 AM

Lucia, I feel that you are not thinking positive on trying to do the things that ADers had to offer to give you help to find ways to get some help for you to get terps so that the Doctors have no choice but serve you. Jiro, Jillio, Etiole and other ADers had offered you suggestions but you rejected them being so negative not wanting to try. You must have a fighting spirit after you had failed many times with Doctors and please don't give up. Do what you have to decide which one of the suggestions you can do to report about your Doctors not hiring an interpreter and getting the care you need for your health. It is pretty bad the way you describe what your Doctors are doing to you. They show disrepect you if not your health. I understand your situation fully of what was happening to you on a daily basis of looking for a appointment and getting an terp for you. THINK POSITIVE AND FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!!! DON'T GIVE UP!!!!

**deafskeptic** · 04-11-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

You have rejected many suggestions, which makes you sound very defeatist. I understand that you've been through a lot with this, but giving up isn't the way to get anything done. If you want a successful result, you have to keep trying.

Doctors - National Association of the Deaf
Law and Advocacy - National Association of the Deaf
TexasLawyersHelp.org
Contact Us
Deaf Action Center - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Services - Advocacy (good resource, call or email them and ask for help)

I'm afraid I have to agree with you on this one.. Anyway those are excellent links.

LuciaDisturbed · 04-11-2009, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

You have rejected many suggestions, which makes you sound very defeatist. I understand that you've been through a lot with this, but giving up isn't the way to get anything done. If you want a successful result, you have to keep trying.

Doctors - National Association of the Deaf
Law and Advocacy - National Association of the Deaf
TexasLawyersHelp.org
Contact Us
Deaf Action Center - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Services - Advocacy (good resource, call or email them and ask for help)

Etoile - No, I am not a defeatist, just very extremely frustrated.

Hear Again · 04-11-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

I don't think the Texas medical board is going to care.

Lucia,

I had a psychiatrist last year who refused to treat my rapid cycling and mania. Every time I said I was rapid cycling or manic, he told me to come back and see him in 3 months. During the entire time I saw him, he only increased my meds once and never explained to me what hypomania or mania were. I put up with his behavior for 1.5 years (don't ask me why!). I finally decided to report him to my state's medical board as well as Medicaid and Medicare. I don't know if it will do any good, but the way I look at it, it certainly can't hurt because the more people who report him, the sooner his medical license will be revoked.

I apologize for bringing my bipolar into the discussion, but I thought it was pertinent given Lucia's situation.

Hear Again · 04-11-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

Since I am on Medicaid and Medicare, I can't just use just any doctor that the Deaf organizations recommend. Some of the doctors they recommend might not accept Medicard or Medicare. I'm not sure about the terping agencies.

It wouldn't hurt to ask. They may have 3 or 4 doctors you could contact.

Texan Guy · 04-11-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

I do not live in Austin. I live in San Antonio. Go look on the map. I am an hour south of Austin, and I have no plans of moving to Austin.

Jesus Christ, take some friggin' chill pills, lady!

I am well aware of San Antonio since I have a several friends down there and visit there many times especially deaf events as well as the deaf flag football team. I was just saying that you could visit the doctors in Austin with the help of your guy, not moving to Austin. Man, I'm done with your bitching, Lucia.

04-10-2009, 09:01 AM	#40 (permalink)
Jiro Aparecium Deletrius Legil Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Soprano State Posts: 60,428	and also contact your Congressman. just a friendly suggestion - I know you write a "novel" so please do try to keep your letter short and to-the-point.... 3 paragraphs at most with maximum of 6 sentences per paragraph. Write Your Representative __________________ - Don't forget to buy Jiro's Special Edition Sunglasses for $19.95

04-10-2009, 11:20 PM	#52 (permalink)
Etoile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,184	You have rejected many suggestions, which makes you sound very defeatist. I understand that you've been through a lot with this, but giving up isn't the way to get anything done. If you want a successful result, you have to keep trying. Doctors - National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy - National Association of the Deaf TexasLawyersHelp.org Contact Us Deaf Action Center - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Services - Advocacy (good resource, call or email them and ask for help) __________________ "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." -Gandhi Gallaudet University Class of 2011

04-11-2009, 01:12 AM	#55 (permalink)
Bebonang Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manitoulin Island on Lake Huron in Canada Posts: 7,007	Lucia, I feel that you are not thinking positive on trying to do the things that ADers had to offer to give you help to find ways to get some help for you to get terps so that the Doctors have no choice but serve you. Jiro, Jillio, Etiole and other ADers had offered you suggestions but you rejected them being so negative not wanting to try. You must have a fighting spirit after you had failed many times with Doctors and please don't give up. Do what you have to decide which one of the suggestions you can do to report about your Doctors not hiring an interpreter and getting the care you need for your health. It is pretty bad the way you describe what your Doctors are doing to you. They show disrepect you if not your health. I understand your situation fully of what was happening to you on a daily basis of looking for a appointment and getting an terp for you. THINK POSITIVE AND FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!!! DON'T GIVE UP!!!! __________________ I HAVE BEEN DEAF SINCE BIRTH, AND IT IS STILL AWESOME TO BE . (thumb up) (very happy)

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04-10-2009, 06:24 AM	#36 (permalink)
Hear Again Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,122 Blog Entries: 6	Lucia, What about asking organizations for the Deaf in your area if they can make recommendations as to a doctor you could see? Perhaps a terp agency would be willing to provide this information as well?

04-10-2009, 08:29 AM	#37 (permalink)
Sosie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Beantown Posts: 3,034	I am so sorry to hear that you went thru terrible situation. I agree with some aders. Tell them that they are breaking the ADA law for refusing and providing you an ASL interpreter for your medical appointments.. and that you are seeking a lawyer. (Ask lawyers around to help you to find a free legal lawyer in your area.) Threaten them. I am sure that they will scare from you and they will provide you an ASL interpreter. I wish you a lot of luck, Lucia!!!

04-10-2009, 10:32 AM	#41 (permalink)
jillio Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 60,296	Lucia, Contact the NAD's legal dept. through their website. They have attorneys on staff that will write a letter to your physician. It is amazing what a well phrased letter explaining what the legal consequences are for these doctors if they continue to refuse to provide an interpreter for you can do. I also encourage you to report them to the Texas medical board citing the fact that without an interpreter, you are not able to give informed consent for treatment, which places these doctors in an ethical dilemma. They provide fully informed consent to their hearing patients, and to refuse to provide you the services that will give you the same is also discrimination. They are on very shaky ground. But I assure you, as long as you allow them to get away with violating your rights by not reporting the situation, they will continue to do so.