OUR SENSES

There are so many things I take for granted and can wallow in self-pity about my plights but forget that I can do five basic things--smell, taste, touch, see, and hear.

SMELL AND TASTE
There are approximately 2 million adult Americans who have a taste and/or smell disorder. Anosmia is a complete smell loss and Ageusia is a complete taste loss, with many other disorders in between. With a bad cold you can’t smell because of a stopped up nose and can’t taste food because the nose is stopped up. Can you imagine living life that way every single day? Yes, I’m lucky to have the sense of smell and taste.

TOUCH
Myelopathy is a disease of the spinal cord which can result in loss of sensation and/or mobility. Having paralysis--loss of feeling; no physical sensation. Not being able to feel that tender touch from somebody’s hand. Not being able to feel a warm embrace. Yes, I’m lucky to have the sense of touch.

SIGHT
Never gave much thought to our sight until I became an optometric technician at the Vision Clinic in Juvenile Hall almost 18 years ago. When Carl, Jonathan, and I moved to California for the first time, I got a temporary clerical job at the Probation Department. Blanche needed some help in the Vision Clinic, so I was assigned to work for her that day. That one day turned to many other days and a special friendship developed. Blanche hired me to fill a permanent position even though I was waiting to become employed as a probation officer.

Carl said he knew if I liked something. I always talked about this job. It was interesting. It was foreign to me. Never had done anything like it. Besides doing those mundane clerical tasks such as scheduling appointments, filing, and typing, I got to assist with the therapy. Although the clientele--teenagers--were not in my comfort zone, the work was fascinating and rewarding. It also allowed me the opportunity to become part of the acting scene. Graduate students from several colleges around the area spend part of their internship working at the clinic. They were given instructions and told to be observant at all times, but most still had no clue who they would be examining, so I gave them a taste of reality and played the part of a juvenile delinquent. I swiped pencils and instruments. I became unruly and belligerent. I walked around and went outside the boundaries. I made their life a living .... You get the picture. They learned quickly and, hey, it was GREAT FUN!!!!! When it was time to move on, Blanche wrote on my going away card, “Acting only as a second career.” The one truth taken from this experience that has stayed with me throughout--there is a correlation between eyesight and behavior.

When Jonathan was five years old, he was diagnosed with a lazy eye. The doctor stressed the importance of wearing a patch over his right eye as often as possible to strengthen the bad one and had Carl and me try it to see what our son would be experiencing. He also noted, that after a child turns eight, this type of therapy would no longer be beneficial. Jonathan did not want to wear the patch and it suddenly became a battle of wills. Guess who won? Jonathan also started wearing glasses and “lost” three pairs in the same year, and I use that term very loosely. Fortunately, Jonathan has 20/20 in that good eye but can’t pass an eye exam and must go through the red tape when time for driver’s license renewal. The correlation between eyesight and behavior--possibly explains some of the problems we encountered with Jonathan during those years.

Have asked myself the question--If I had to pick which sense to lose, would it be sight or hearing? It would not be sight. Can you imagine not seeing the face of a loved one, watching a television show, or going on a daily four-mile walk? Personally I never knew anyone who was completely blind. So, yes, I am blessed to have my sight, even if it’s no longer 20/20 and have to wear glasses.

HEARING
Never gave much thought to our hearing until I became involved with the deaf ministry at church. For two years I sat in the pew and observed the interpreter signing the songs, prayers, and sermons with flowing movements and facial expressions. It perked my interest enough to start taking lessons at church with two other friends. It felt like being in school again--studied hard and practiced, practiced, practiced. Soon it was time to take the plunge. We were nervous that first night. To combat the stage fright, Jeanne told us to look at the back wall of the auditorium. Others would tell you to pretend everyone is sitting in their underwear. Can’t remember which one I ended up doing.

The more I interpreted, the easier it became, but never quite shook off all the nerves. Mainly did the easier part of your traditional Church of Christ worship service--the announcements, opening prayer, two songs, communion, and another song. Rarely did the sermons and it could be quite a struggle keeping up. You’re always signing behind and have to remember what was said without losing too much of the translation. Although proud of my accomplishments, one thing was lacking--I could not reverse. That means if someone signed to me, it went right over my head. Oh, I could catch a word or two and possibly get the gist of what was being said, but still… It was embarrassing, and I felt inadequate. Jeanne, who I thought was great, was never a certified interpreter because she could not pass the reversing phase of the certification test. What were my chances?

It’s been 18 years since I interpreted and you know the adage--“Use it or lose it.” Still practice somewhat and do a lot of signing “in my head” especially sitting in church and have caught myself moving my hands during some of the Praise Team’s songs. Have thought about sitting in the back of the auditorium to practice signing, but don’t want to be conspicuous.

Those I know in the deaf community are extremely nice and very appreciative of those willing to learn how to sign. They also seem to accept their disability. Yes, I’m grateful for my hearing although sometimes it would be desirable to be deaf when the neighbors get loud and the music echoes through the wall.