Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,19495684%5E3462,00.html
REPETITIVE strain injury is sweeping through the ranks of interpreters for the deaf.
So common is the complaint and the risk of injury so great that interpreters now work in pairs as a preventative measure.
This was the case at the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's post-State Budget breakfast at the Hotel Grand Chancellor yesterday, where two interpreters were present to provide services for a deaf person in the audience.
Sign Language Services Queensland director Merie Spring interpreted the speeches made by Premier Paul Lennon and Treasurer Michael Aird.
She then stepped aside for local interpreter John Bartley for question time. Mrs Spring herself has been a victim of RSI during the 20 years she has provided interpreter services.
"It hit me between the shoulder blades and went right up into my neck," Mrs Spring said.
"I couldn't clean my teeth or brush my hair with my right arm, but I was lucky as I had physio treatment and was back at work after six weeks.
"Some people are off work a lot longer than that and suffer problems in the wrists, the forearms and the elbows.
"You can talk all day in Auslan, the Australian sign language, as it's just like having a conversation, but interpreting a speech is mentally and physically very tiring.
"It's a worldwide problem among interpreters, but we are now much more aware of it and there are exercises we can do for our hands and arms, and breathing exercises to make sure we are relaxed."
The Tasmanian Deaf Society's interpreting services co-ordinator Cindy Cave has also suffered from RSI.
"I had tennis and golf elbow in both arms and was not able to interpret for 18 months," Ms Cave said.
"The problem started when I was interpreting all day and every day for months without any breaks.
"It got worse and worse and when I realised what was causing it, it was too late.
"It took physio, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment before I was able to get back to work."
Ms Cave said interpreters were now much better educated about the risks and the stretches and exercises they could do to limber up before a session.
"We now ensure that there are two interpreters on a job if we think it's going to last for more than an hour," Ms Cave said. "It's much better to be proactive rather than reactive to the problem."
REPETITIVE strain injury is sweeping through the ranks of interpreters for the deaf.
So common is the complaint and the risk of injury so great that interpreters now work in pairs as a preventative measure.
This was the case at the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's post-State Budget breakfast at the Hotel Grand Chancellor yesterday, where two interpreters were present to provide services for a deaf person in the audience.
Sign Language Services Queensland director Merie Spring interpreted the speeches made by Premier Paul Lennon and Treasurer Michael Aird.
She then stepped aside for local interpreter John Bartley for question time. Mrs Spring herself has been a victim of RSI during the 20 years she has provided interpreter services.
"It hit me between the shoulder blades and went right up into my neck," Mrs Spring said.
"I couldn't clean my teeth or brush my hair with my right arm, but I was lucky as I had physio treatment and was back at work after six weeks.
"Some people are off work a lot longer than that and suffer problems in the wrists, the forearms and the elbows.
"You can talk all day in Auslan, the Australian sign language, as it's just like having a conversation, but interpreting a speech is mentally and physically very tiring.
"It's a worldwide problem among interpreters, but we are now much more aware of it and there are exercises we can do for our hands and arms, and breathing exercises to make sure we are relaxed."
The Tasmanian Deaf Society's interpreting services co-ordinator Cindy Cave has also suffered from RSI.
"I had tennis and golf elbow in both arms and was not able to interpret for 18 months," Ms Cave said.
"The problem started when I was interpreting all day and every day for months without any breaks.
"It got worse and worse and when I realised what was causing it, it was too late.
"It took physio, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment before I was able to get back to work."
Ms Cave said interpreters were now much better educated about the risks and the stretches and exercises they could do to limber up before a session.
"We now ensure that there are two interpreters on a job if we think it's going to last for more than an hour," Ms Cave said. "It's much better to be proactive rather than reactive to the problem."
