Not sure if this is in the right section (couldnt quite decide where best to put it) Gonna be a long one I reckon so here goes.

Right my family have always done respite foster care for people with special needs and one girl who spent a lot of her time with us (who I call my sister) is deaf. I started learning sign language and picked it up really quickly at the age of 6. Since then I have been almost fluent (although my signing is heavily northen accented which I realised when I started studying my signing exams down south).

Anyway so from know a lot of people who are deaf and realising things that most of us take for granted they can struggle with, one of my dreams is to specialise in being a midwife for the deaf. I know there is a very big deaf community in West Sussex in Worthing and Littlehampton in particular. So would anyone know how I would become involved and even if this would be possible?

I realise that I would need to be a midwife (that dreams in sight for qualifying in 2011). But I guess most deaf ladies have interpreters with their midwives. I am going to talk to the brighton deaf society about it too as they offered me a job previously and they had a lot of info into the struggles and maybe they would know.

Just wondered if anyone else may have any knowledge of it???
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I dont have any info hun but just wanted to say its great what you wanna do and good luck with your findings

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No, not at all. Just wanted to say what a fab thing to do and anytime you're around can you teach me please?

I am going to ask when i am back into placement what support there is for deaf women in labour as I have no idea at all.

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aww thanks,
of course I will teach you. I taught one of my housemates when I was in student accom doing my last degree, the alphabet and we used to sign across the gym or club or pub if we spied a hot guy and used to have conversations that nobody would understand (unless they knew signing and then would catch us out)
X

Hi! I can't help you but just wanted to say I think it's fab to be able to sign.

I know a tiny bit of sign language and I would love to learn it fluently, I've often thought it would be of use to a midwife, although I've no idea if there are specialist midwives for the deaf. Now that you've brought it up though, I think there should be, all the best to you and I hope you succeed in your dream!

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Throughout the ages, the rainbow has been the symbol of hope, a promise of better things to come. The ancient Greeks personified the rainbow as the goddess Iris, the favourite handmaiden and messenger of Hera, the queen of the heavenly court of Olympus. Carried by her shimmering wings, Iris travels so swiftly that mortals can see only the trail of her rainbow-coloured passage across the sky.

Hey next time we have a sussexish meet we can meet up then! I worked with a girl who was profoundly deaf and as I was yard manager it was difficult not being able to communicate very well. We found a way in the end that worked for both of us, but I felt quilty I didn't know how to sign and have always wished I could.

Let us know what you find out, I'd be interested to know

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Yes I shall do, I know there are special medical services up in leeds for the deaf but dont know down here.
Oh a yard manager, as in a livery yard? Are you into horses then?
Yes I think there should be a service for the deaf as there are so many thinks the deaf community miss out on but slowly things are improving and becoming easier.
X

Do, thanks. Yes, was and still am bonkers about horses, though second love now! There definately should be something out there for all antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for deaf women. Hope you find there is!

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Smwife we are meeting at end of May (us Brighton gals) come along my mum is deaf btw she lip reads tho and doesnt sign but Ive always liked the idea of learning I can do the alaphabet and turtle (love that one lol) and a few other bits but Id love to be able to sign properly!

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Right! I'm coming! (poor you lot!, sorry!)

Awww, TallPoppy. I didn't know that. I have always wanted to learn. When the subject came up last year lots of our cohort were of the mind that we should be paid to learn if not 'why bother' what rubbish! that is the attitude that helps no-one.

I will never forget that girl, Zalie she was called, she led a very solitary life, and was a lovely girl, she loved the horses and had a gift with them too (I would always ask her to help me with tricky ones, as she had a calming effect on them)

I'll look forward to seeing you all then!

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