[nfb-db] Social situations with normal people

[Janice Toothman]

I get frustrated by those people who knew me growing up and assume I am 
being rude to them when I don't say "Hi" to them after they have said 
"Hi" to me. Do I always have to explain to people that I am not being 
rude or trying to brush them off but that I honestly didn't hear them 
because I am deaf and that I didn't see them because I am blind. How do 
you go to social events where the majority are sighted and your the only 
deaf-blind person and you can't make sense of the person your having a 
conversation with because of all the other noises/conversions going on 
in the room?

I feel very isolated from my peers because I cannot hear conversations 
in a classroom when others are talking as well. Similarly family 
gatherings do not have usual anticipation at going to these events has 
diminished greatly due to my deaf-blindness.
This is a challenge for me when I go back to school. The University 
offers me transcribers for my class but they write the "gist" of what is 
said and often leave out important dates and names of authors. Also, I 
do not receive this transcription in real time but within 24-36 hours 
after the class has ended.
Unfortunately, when I go to conventions I have to rely on my FM system 
and a digital recorder.
Has anyone else had problems problems in social situations.