I met few people like that because they do not know how to face with me being deaf and screaming for help. I know you would agree with me for something point of view. I have few to talk about. One is on Zoom meeting, two is on Phone and Three is at the doctor office. All three to talk about, Okay.

One on Zoom meeting. I was asked to be on Zoom meeting but not know I am deaf. I told the host that I am deaf and need some captioned or ASL interpreters. The host asked me to bring friend to join with them. Geez! That kills me because if they like my friend and ignore me completely! My friend isn’t interesting in our business. Keep that out of my friends or family. The host and I are in business, not others business for access.

Two on Phone. In my past, when had TTY (Teletypewriter), had 3rd person as agent on tty (obviously can’t see them). When I made a call and many times, the caller hear beep and hang up on us. If I could warn them about me using TTY then might would stay on. Now, we have video phone. YAY! I know VP is easy for everyone to use. We can see agent communicating with us forward and backward each other on video. When made a call and agent tend to announcement about deaf caller and the caller will stay on. Anyway, when I made a call to make appointment and asked me to bring friend come in person. The agent and I looked at each other. What is the F—? I told the caller, No thanks. Not their business to involve my friend for that.

Three in doctor’s office. I used to have my mom to interpreting for me while I was growing up. Now I am old enough to handle. When I made a call with doctor’s office for appointment with doctor. I asked for interpreter. The office said, not have interpreter and can you bring friend with you. Geez! That killing me again about bring friend with you. Again, those friends have nothing to be with me for some reasons. I told them no, will come (to scare them). Also, they offered me VRI and I would have said no.

VRI is Video Remote Interpretation. Yes, there is live interpreter. It is hard for us to understand because of freezing or stretch on video. In hospital or doctor’s office has firewall protection in the building and cannot allow any of Wi-Fi showing up. I do not know about court or lawyer’s office. Something to think about on next time.

~ DW