Deaf and Trying to Salvage a Dream
I am 24 years old, hearing impaired with four children. I have graduated from high school, and also graduated from a beauty college with a cosmetology certificate. All my life I loved doing hair. I learned so much from cosmetology and even worked as an instructor there at the school.
I wanted my license to get a good paying job. I have also wanted my own business with a saloon. I went to go for state board and passed the practical exam. Never did I pass the reading test. I've had taken state board tests three times and I failed the reading test each time. I wonder why did I pass all the exams in cosmetology school but can't pass this state board? It hurts me a lot to think about that every day.
I can't even get a job and if I do, I can't get a high paying job. I have to take a minimum wage job and the government would take half of the SSI. That's not enough money for me to survive with four children.
I am now on welfare, and can't work. But I pray that I don't do this for the rest of my life. I'm tired of being on welfare. I feel sad and depressed. Do I really have to throw away my dream just because I can't pass some reading test?
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My answer was: You're only 24 years old? Why not go back to school to improve your English then you can pass the test? You should be able to find an English class at a local community college. Ask your Vocational Rehabilitation counselor if they will pay for the classes.
Is there a better answer I should have given?
Comments
nah, i dont think there’s a better answer you could have given, except the fact that she’s ‘only 24′. anyone of any age, deaf or hearing, could go back to school to learn more english.
business is tough; and i believe she has the gusto for it. VRS should be able to cover her english classes if that’s all she takes.
Indeed, the pain we get from trying, should be our fuel. our deafness is our power; our lack of stimulation from our ears gives our minds racing and raging thoughts that are hard to control because we can hear ourselves think.
While efforts should be made to focus English competency lessons on cosmetology and examinations related to it, I believe that there are ways to achieve your dream while improving your English.
Ask Vocational Rehabilitation to place you on a job evaluation or on the job training site. Frequently this leads to a full-time job or adds to your resume to convince another employer to try you out.
Because you have graduated from high school and from cosmetology school, and even taught it, I believe it will work to address specific instruction to the exams. Books might be available where you can practice these same exams given in previous years.
With SSI and welfare, in your state it may be possible to exclude part or most of your first income from employment until you have become stabilized. Ask about the PASS plan, the work incentive program, and transition to work programs. Different names might apply in your state.
Good luck, and think about working part-time out of your home with your experience. Many have done it! Discuss that also with your Vocational Rehab counselor.
My question is… who wrote/typed this information? Did this 24-year old type this? If so, then I am very impressed because this person has very good English skills. Which brings me to the next question, what is involved in the state board exam? Is it reading only? Does it involve math? Does it involve reading a paragraph with a “situation” and you have to answer multiple choice questions about what happened or describe it or have to do some math? Does it involve listening to anything? If listening is involved, are there intepreters available to assist? Also, yes, the VR should be able to assist her and can explain her dilemma about the state board. VR should guide her to passing that exam because VR likes to see people be independent and succeed. VR always asks clients what they want to do for life, and she already has a dream. She should go for it and WILL succeed! Just like Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times before succeeding in making the light bulb! She must press on and not give up!
You should have had an interpreter for the writing and English part of the test! That goes without saying. Stand up for your rights! I know of several totally deaf people who have passed their written tests here in the Pacific Northwest. The same would apply if you were Spanish speaking!!