Hi, My story is simple too! As I was loseing more and more of my hearing
my husband left me with 3 kids, I never worked much. Just things like
bakery and dishes. I was left with no money. I found job through
placement service. I was sent to jewelry store to learn to polish
jewelry. I worked there for 4 yrs. I told them I could not hear on
phones. The owner and other jewelry-men pushed me out of their way "I
didn't hear them tell me to move". But I needed job. Everyday was
getting worse.Boss wanted me to answer phone and I told him that room
was not good to hear in. I was fired because I refused to answer phone.
I never new that I had any recourse. As I never new any deaf people.I've
worked the same place for last 14yrs. I was good worker! They even made
me train people as I understand that people learn better when they see
how things are done. I got a raise and thought I had a furture. One day
I got hurt at work and I was demonted. For the next 9 yrs I was good
enough to train someone who got the job I applied for. I changed dept.
and thing were great at first. I worked 3rd shift for 10 yrs. That shift
was discontinued. and I went to first shift to a completely different
job. It would be a good job if I got training. I couldnt understand most
of what I'm supposed to do. There are no books to read about the work.
I'm a chargeback investigator. I struggle everyday to learn. My boss
Forgets to tell me things. The new people I work with don't like
outsiders. And that I am deaf they make fun of me all the time. I read
lips really good!! No one will answer guestions. If I ask my boss He
tell me to ask someone else. If I complain to him about not getting help
or missing meetings cause I wasn't told. and that I could not understand
what was said! He said " You hear what you want to" I don't understand
that! But I stick it out. It sure beats living on the streets. I am my
only support. So If it means I get pushed around and stepped on then
I'll put up with it. They are the stupid ones, It will come back to them
someday. I don't need to prove anything to anyone but my self. Deaf and
HOH people are not Weak!! OR Stupid! We Are Actually Smarter as We live
by our wit,and instinks.We read faces,moods,and can tell something is
wrong before it is made know. Like Layoffs etc. Thanks for listing,

Darlene
darlen6@ibm.net