Friday 6 November 2015

PLEASE LOOK AT PEOPLE WHEN YOU SPEAK TO THEM

I am probably breaking copyright law by reproducing this but I am sure the author would approve of me putting it here on my Blog.  This poem must have been written either by a deaf or hearing impaired person or by someone who worked with them and knew exactly what a hearing impaired person feels.   And yes, I am a hearing impaired person too (one of 10 million in this country) and I attend a Hearing Impaired class where we learn lip reading.  It really helps us so please, please, do read this and look at people when you speak to them.   Drop me a line if you are hearing impaired.

Numbers Lament


If the person you're serving seems very slow,
It could be they're deaf, it's quite common you know.
Though we try very hard we often get muddled,
Don't think that we're daft or our brains are befuddled.
Out shopping, the phone or in everyday life,
Deaf people and numbers – the problem is rife!


One is OK it is easy to see
Two can be hard, it can sound like it's three,
Four and seven, well they are quite game,
but five and nine can sound quite the same.
Watching lips with six, then eight, nine and ten,
We ask “Did you say...'....? Or, please write down with a pen.


The teens and ten can lead to disaster,
Especially when it is money you're after.
Is it thirteen or thirty?, that's asking a lot,
One/three and three/zero are better to spot.
With hundreds and thousands and even for years,
Just break into numbers – much kinder for ears.


Please spare a thought for those who can't hear,
They'll be watching your lips and standing quite near.
Do get our attention before you start speaking,
Don't shout, hide your mouth or speak when you're eating.
We do want to hear you, we are trying so hard,
So don't leave us out 'cos our hearing is marred.