Things I Don't Understand

So, can someone tell me exactly what an "educational interpreter' is supposed to do? I think I heard somewhere that there are slightly different than regular interpreters, but in what way?

I'm not real comfortable with the way things are going with Ronnie's educationl interpreter. I don't think the interpreter is supposed to act as a counselor, or suggest courses of action, or even discuss things that aren't related to the school day. But Ronnie's interpreter does.

It makes me uncomfortable. If doing those things is outside the ethical interpreter mode of operation, it makes me wonder what else the interpreter might do?

But then again I could be way off base since I really don't understand exactly what the educational interpreter is supposed to do. Can anyone help?

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One more thing I don't understand about school - why does my child with severe disabilities bring home a course selection sheet that lists all the classes she CAN'T take? What is the point? Is it to make me sad? If so, it'w working...

Worlds of Difference

Ronnie's urologist and nephrologist are both affiliated with the same big teaching hospital in our city. Their offices are one floor apart, but it feels like we are in two entirely different medical facilities when visiting the doctors.

The urologist is not all warm and fuzzy, but he and his staff are the most disability-aware medical team I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I reviewed this doctor's office for my www.ustooplease.com website because I was so impressed.

And, I plan to review the nephrologist's office, but it will not even come close to being as positive a review.

Ronnie has seen this doctor twice now. We had to switch to a nephrologist who primarily sees adult patients because the pediatric nephrologist moved away. I really like the doctor - he is personable and warm and even a little quirky - but his disability awareness is very poor.

I requested an interpreter for Ronnie for each of his two visits. Neither time was an interpreter present. When scheduling Ronnie's next appointment, I tried again today to make sure that an interpreter would be available. After fussing loudly that no one has shown her how to order an interpreter, the scheduling person said it was the nurse's job to do that. Say what? The scheduler had no idea how to even start. I had to tell her what department of the teaching hospital handled such requests and I even had to tell her the director's name to contact if she needed assistance. Fortunately, I knew that information because my family frequently visits the medical offices at the hospital. But how would a first time patient know to do that? Would they, like Ronnie, have to see the doctor and not have a clue what was being said?

When I mention to the staff that Ronnie is Deaf (after they talk to him and appear baffled that he doesn't respond), they then just stop talking to him. All conversation is directed at me. I keep signing back to Ronnie, but he should be able to handle most of his own appointments now that he is older. The medical staff doesn't give him the chance to do that.

Unlike at the urology office where Ronnie and I feel valued and respected, I feel like we are a bother to a lot of the staff at the nephrology office. Since Ronnie and I do like the doctor, we are going to keep trying, but the staff needs to realize that they don't want to get me too angry. Just ask my school district special education staff.....

"Holy Cr*p, That's Amazing"

I found these videos over the weekend and love, love, love them, especially the classroom one...

Making Doctor Appointments Easier

Ashley, like Ronnie, is deaf, but she is also blind. So, whenever she had doctor's appointments, I would act as her interpreter. Finding an interpreter for a child that is deafblind is almost impossible. And, it never really crossed my mind that I could ask a doctor's office to provide that interpreter.

But I called today to make an appointment for Ronnie to see a urologist, and the appointment scheduler asked me if we needed an interpreter. My initial instinct was to say no, that I would perform that function. But before I actually said that, I changed my mind.

I decided that it might be easier for me to concentrate on what the doctor was saying if I could really listen, and not try to interpret at the same time. And, I think I would be more likely to forget any questions I might have if I was having to listen, interpret and think simultaneously.

I'm pretty good at multitasking, but I know my limits also!

So now I'm thinking that I will ask for an interpreter for any and all appointments for Ronnie. Have any of you run into any problems making this happen with your doctors? Does it make sense that I should do this?