Midwifery for the deaf

tutle is probably the best sign. although there are a few others which are very impressive although are rude so I cannot say on here what they are lol.
Oh wow, I am mad about horses but trying to pack the last bits of lessons in before I have to stop and save like mad for sep. Aww thats amazing. Their senses are often hightened and so although it can be looked upon as a burdon in some ways its a fantastic thing.
I love signing. Always have. I hated languages at school really but signing has always come naturally to me, prob because I started at such a young age.
I think its a shame people take that attitude, as really its making things only inclusive to hearing people, no-one asks to be deaf.
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Pity I don't live near to you, I am a qualifed riding instrcutor and have been for 16 years! you could have had free lessons!

My speciality is damaged horses and often people too, it's a pity I no longer have time to do it right now, but will go back to it soon enough.

Looking forward to learning at the meet then!

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Oh right where abouts are you then? Do you use the horsemart forum? Yeh its something you cant leave behind really isnt it! I love them.
Shame because we could have swapped I could have given you bsl lessons and you could have give me riding lessons.
Have you ever owned?
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What a fantastic idea. I have looked after a deaf lady in early labour and I asked my mentor whether there were any special facilites in place for her (especially as her partner was deaf too), but alas, there weren't.

Still, having spent many years as a volunteer for disabled children, i was able to have some awareness that I would need to touch her and look right at her before speaking so she could lip read. We got along quite well, and although I can sign the alphabet, It would take me too long to converse that way during labour.

I do think trusts should offer training in signing for those that are interested. It is a skill that is as useful as any other second language.

We should also consider that we may have deafblind women, and then we really do need to communicate and going through an interpreter can take too long. These women end up not being communicated to and I find that very sad.
KS x

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Kentish Spitfire
Moderator, Student Services
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"It's better to be thought a fool - rather than proved a fool!"

I know the alphabet in sign language.. Its not come into use on maternity yet.. But I used to every shift for 3 weeks on general as we had a deaf lady on the ward.. Nobody else could communicate with her, even though she could lip read, she was a bit blind n then couldnt reply as she couldn't write (due to artheritus, sp?) so i used to sign to her using the alphabet! took a while to have conversations but it was a useful skill as she could tell me when she was in pain etc.. I got quite quick by the end of my placement!

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Duel X
3rd Year!
Moderator

Hi KS, oh wow I bet the lady was absolutely thrilled that you knew fingerspelling. When I used to work in tesco, whenever a deaf person came in I would ask if they signed and if they did I would have conversations with them, they were always so pleased that they would finally be able to talk to someone whilst they were shopping, can you imagine just how lonely it can be if you are profoundly deaf and even though people can understand you when you speak they get all panicky about responding!
Yes my elder sister works in a home with 2 deaf 1 blind and 1 deafblind lady! Its suprising just how much we take for granted that they cannot do! There should definately be something aimed specifically at given them extra attention!
Oh that sounds fab duel, again I bet she was so pleased that you could help communicate with her.
In my drama, dance and singing lessons I always teach my different groups of 3-7years the alphabet in signing. They pick it up so quickly and its lovely to hear the stories that they come to tell me about where they have used it, for instance on holiday meeting a deaf child or at school teaching others. I think it is such a useful skill to have as even if you dont use it often, that person who you do use it for will feel so priveledged that someone has gone to the bother of learning it to help to communicate with people who are less fortunate who have hearing problems.
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