Monday, March 7, 2016

WHEN WILL IT END?

It seems to keep on going. It has a life of it’s own. First there is a statement to which I completely agree and then just as I am getting all excited over the woderful points someone has mede the bite comes in. There’s a deadline in six minutes and if we can raise $20,000,000 in the next six minutes we can get matching contributions consisting of 20 cases of light beer at headquarters. WILL YOU MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OF $2.78 IN THE NEXT SIX MINUTES?

I suppose this is what participitory democracy has come to mean in the 21st century. Even if you send a gift of much more than $2.78, in the thankyou note you are still asked for the $2.78.

Of course, it’s psychology. If you can become “involved” at any level it will be easier to get you involved again at an even more involved level. There is a fix, of course. And I know it. I am willing to share it with you, my friends, for the low, low cost of $4.95. To order, send your credit card number and that strange 3 digit number on the back, along with your social security number and the location of your spare house key that is kept outside.

Don’t delay. Order today. It is a known fact that if you delay sending the $4.95, you’ll probably figure this out on your own but you won’t have received my famous thank you note that has become a collector’s item on Ebay.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Otherwise, just hit the delete key.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

I'LL HIE UNTO MY CAVE AND THINK

One of my favorite bloggers is Shari Eberts who writes <http://www.LivingWith HearingLoss.com>. In her last post, she talks about embarrassment due to hearing loss. And as usual she nails it.
I hardly ever think of it in terms of embarrassment, but it is. I realize that I quickly convert embarrassment into anger and frustration – for me the real bad boys of hearing loss.
I have found that no matter how often you remind someone, including those most intimate, it’s a continuing effort. It is never done. I think that’s the part that is most tiring for me. I want to stomp and yell – HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I AM DEAF? That’s when I re-visit my childhood fantasies of becoming a hermit. And, we all know how unhealthy that is.
The problem is that hearing loss is totally invisible to others. That it is unseen does not diminish the disability. Therefore the one suffering the disability sees all too clearly while others simply don’t know what to do. There’s enough discomfort to go around.
To hie unto your private hermitage is not the answer. The only effective solution (until, that is, another better solution comes along) is to provide information that is factual and easy to understand for someone who is not as close to the problem as you are. insist upon any accommodation rightfully yours in any social, work or play situation. Insist gently, with real information ready at hand and with your best smile.