rjr2006
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2005
- Messages
- 1,852
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Hello all,
I would like to discuss about my living situation. First of all, I am most significantly disabled (profoundly deaf, Cerebral Palsy, and quadriplegic) . My brothers are slowly moving out, and mom is getting older, and I am an employer of Personal Care Assistants (PCAs).
PCAs are there to help the significantly disabled lead direct lives and there are so many things that I am unable to do physically. That includes, but not limited to following: bathroom, transferring body, dressing, feeding, cleaning, equipment, medications, filling out paperwork, etc.
I went to ASD (American School for the Deaf) in January for a psycharistic evaluation provided by VR. The doctor really likes me, and he is deaf too. I told him that I would prefer personal care assistants that are deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing person who knows some sign language. He wrote that down as a recommendation.
The gist of finding PCAs is very difficult to look for. I meant that not everyone knows about a dual disability (profound deafness and CP) and it is extremely rare in the United States. If I was born hearing but in a wheelchair, then it would make PCA services easier because I would speak and hear fully. But deafness is the biggest concern, and I have written instructions on computer. God made me deaf and quadriplegic. Hearing people are not comfortable working with deaf people. Because of this, I cannot find PCAs, and I need help. I rely a lot on video relay for making calls and many people are NOT familiar with relay services, and are even shy and afraid then hang up on me, it has happened to me many times trying to talk to people about work. I remember talking to a lady over the TTY relay, when I was using PCA service, and she gave me two different names and addresses, and she said “I don’t know what you want! “ then hung up the phone. A different time, a lady said “I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU! “ and hung up on me.
I hope that you will understand my concerns about trying to find personal care assistants that would understand deafness and use sign language to communicate with me.
I am trying to look for deaf people to become my PCAs even though my state is small.
Could one of moderators make my thread a sticky, please? Thanks
I would like to discuss about my living situation. First of all, I am most significantly disabled (profoundly deaf, Cerebral Palsy, and quadriplegic) . My brothers are slowly moving out, and mom is getting older, and I am an employer of Personal Care Assistants (PCAs).
PCAs are there to help the significantly disabled lead direct lives and there are so many things that I am unable to do physically. That includes, but not limited to following: bathroom, transferring body, dressing, feeding, cleaning, equipment, medications, filling out paperwork, etc.
I went to ASD (American School for the Deaf) in January for a psycharistic evaluation provided by VR. The doctor really likes me, and he is deaf too. I told him that I would prefer personal care assistants that are deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing person who knows some sign language. He wrote that down as a recommendation.
The gist of finding PCAs is very difficult to look for. I meant that not everyone knows about a dual disability (profound deafness and CP) and it is extremely rare in the United States. If I was born hearing but in a wheelchair, then it would make PCA services easier because I would speak and hear fully. But deafness is the biggest concern, and I have written instructions on computer. God made me deaf and quadriplegic. Hearing people are not comfortable working with deaf people. Because of this, I cannot find PCAs, and I need help. I rely a lot on video relay for making calls and many people are NOT familiar with relay services, and are even shy and afraid then hang up on me, it has happened to me many times trying to talk to people about work. I remember talking to a lady over the TTY relay, when I was using PCA service, and she gave me two different names and addresses, and she said “I don’t know what you want! “ then hung up the phone. A different time, a lady said “I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU! “ and hung up on me.
I hope that you will understand my concerns about trying to find personal care assistants that would understand deafness and use sign language to communicate with me.
I am trying to look for deaf people to become my PCAs even though my state is small.
Could one of moderators make my thread a sticky, please? Thanks
sorry but I can't help you with your difficulty since I am not American. I hope some members support you with this.. anyways, stay strong 
