horsegal
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- Joined
- Jan 5, 2011
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Hey there!
I am hearing and have been in a relationship with a Deaf man for about 2 years now. Things are going great! I have become much more fluent in ASL, and we will both graduate college in May. I will then go on to be an interpreter.
The most recent thing that has come up is, when he comes with me to a doctor's appointment, I have typically just interpreted for him (at my appointments). But today, after reading up on the subject, I had an interpreter come with us to my appointment. I broke my arm, so being busy with my hands during the appointment and interpreting at the same time seemed a little tough. Not impossible but it was nice to have the extra help. However, the situation seemed awkward. The doctor didn't know what to do with the interpreter in the room, the receptionist gave me a little crap about it when I tried to ask for an interpreter for the person who would be with me at the appointment ("sorry we only book interpreters for patients...")... and then the interpreter herself was very cold, like she thought I was an idiot for having her there. When the doctor asked her why she was there, she shrugged and said "I"m here for her" pointing at me, and not at my boyfriend. So I'm not sure really what the idea is here -- I know I'm allowed to have an interpreter for my boyfriend, and as a deaf man he more than deserves accommodations if he wants to accompany me to my appointments. I also felt like I should be communicating through the interpreter as well, but that almost feels like lying.
This is a man I will marry someday so I know this kind of stuff will come up again and again. Do you guys have any thoughts? Comments? Things I need to clarify? I really appreciate all your help!
I am hearing and have been in a relationship with a Deaf man for about 2 years now. Things are going great! I have become much more fluent in ASL, and we will both graduate college in May. I will then go on to be an interpreter.
The most recent thing that has come up is, when he comes with me to a doctor's appointment, I have typically just interpreted for him (at my appointments). But today, after reading up on the subject, I had an interpreter come with us to my appointment. I broke my arm, so being busy with my hands during the appointment and interpreting at the same time seemed a little tough. Not impossible but it was nice to have the extra help. However, the situation seemed awkward. The doctor didn't know what to do with the interpreter in the room, the receptionist gave me a little crap about it when I tried to ask for an interpreter for the person who would be with me at the appointment ("sorry we only book interpreters for patients...")... and then the interpreter herself was very cold, like she thought I was an idiot for having her there. When the doctor asked her why she was there, she shrugged and said "I"m here for her" pointing at me, and not at my boyfriend. So I'm not sure really what the idea is here -- I know I'm allowed to have an interpreter for my boyfriend, and as a deaf man he more than deserves accommodations if he wants to accompany me to my appointments. I also felt like I should be communicating through the interpreter as well, but that almost feels like lying.
This is a man I will marry someday so I know this kind of stuff will come up again and again. Do you guys have any thoughts? Comments? Things I need to clarify? I really appreciate all your help!