CaptiView in Cinemark Theaters!

I rarely go to the movie theater. 

Why?  It's too hard to listen and understand.  Even with the headsets that are available, I still miss out on important details.

Narration?  Forget it.  Who's talking?  Where's it coming from?

Accents?  Straining to listen and understand, it's like squinting to see.

Action?  Sure, I can see what's going on, but background noises/explosions/music can get in the way of understanding the dialogue.

Good luck trying to lip read an actor whose back is turned or is off-screen.

I usually can understand about 50% of the movie, but at the end, I'm left with a ton of unanswered questions.  I try to ask questions to my hubby, but realize quickly that he is also missing out when he is trying to answer my questions.

Why did they break up?


Who is that again?


I didn't catch the last thing they said....

I'm fine with watching a DVD at home, now that there is captioning available on most movies, but feel left out of watching the newest movie release with my family.

Want to watch Tower Heist?  Sorry, too much action/noise. 
Harry Potter?  Ummm....can't understand the accents. 
How about The Muppets?  Nope, can't lipread 'em. Because of this, I didn't grow up watching Sesame Street.

Then I read this post over at SayWhatClub and I could almost hear a choir singing in the background....

Introducing ...  CaptiView!

Captioning in the theaters?  Really?  Not the reflective captioning, which I have used in Disneyland ~ EVERYONE can see it and it can be distracting.

No, this looked like something I really wanted to try.

Where to start?

If you live in Utah, you can go to the UCAN (Utah Communication Access Network) for the 3 major theaters in your area.  I chose Cinemark, as it is only a couple of miles from my house.  I called the theater to make sure they had the CaptiView equipment. 

Want to try this?  Here's how:

First, locate the theater online.

Chose a movie you wish to see.

Make sure it says DIGITAL in the movie showtimes.

Find a link on the page that has movies that are on a CC list.

If it's there, it is CAPTIONED!

Go to the ticketing booth and request a CaptiView.  You may need collateral (driver's license) to give to the ticket agent.

When you choose your seat, you may want to sit towards the back of the theater.  If you are sitting too close, it is hard to look at the BIG screen and "jump" down to the captions below the screen.

Ask the ticket agent to "push the reset" button and make sure the CaptiView is on and set to the correct theater room.

It was a Monday afternoon.  No one was in the theater ... 

Put the CaptiView into the cup holder.  You have to push it pretty hard to get it to stay in place. 

Then twist the flexible metal arm and adjust the view finder to put it in a comfortable position.  Make sure you don't touch any of the buttons on the bottom of the viewfinder, or you will turn it off, reset it, or I'm not sure what else.

Be patient and wait.  Of course all the previews will not be captioned.

Hey, it works!!

Yes, I watched The Muppet Movie, enjoyed it thoroughly, and can't wait to see another movie!

The CaptiView did freeze up about 2/3 into the movie.  Fortunately, it was during a song/dance number and hubby took it out to the ticket agent, who swapped it out for another one, which worked fabulously.  I only lost about 5 minutes of the movie, which is not a whole lot compared to being able to understand about 50% of the movie without it!

Isn't that great?

I'm Not Stupid

I love to read the comics and love Real Life Adventures; however, this particular comic struck a nerve.

Several years ago, I ran up some outside stairs, missed one stair and my knee landed on cement.  I had some swelling, no bruising, but had difficulty walking.

After a short trip to a local clinic, the doctor could not find anything on my x-ray and referred me to an orthopedic specialist, hoping he could find a hidden fracture.

I brought my husband with me, and I'm glad I did.

All three of us were sitting in the exam room and the doctor began talking while looking at my file and x-rays.  I was having trouble understanding what he was saying because he was not looking at me.  I glanced at my husband, who was listening intently.

After a few moments, I finally spoke up and said, "I'm sorry.  I'm hearing impaired and I'm having trouble understanding you.  Can you look at me so I can lip-read you?"

Oh, I'm sorry.  I thought you were playing stupid.

Everything he said after that faded away.  I was shocked.  I looked at my husband and shot him a glance.  He was still looking at the doctor and listening to what was being said.

Did I really just hear him say that?  I'm pretty sure he said that.  What else could he have said?  Was he being sarcastic?  I don't know....

I was still reeling, replaying the conversation in my head while we headed out the door to the receptionist's desk and made an appointment.

As soon as we got inside the car, I asked my husband, "Did he really say, 'I thought you were playing stupid?"

My husband's shoulders dropped and he looked down at his lap.  "I was really hoping you didn't hear that," he said regretfully.

Well, I don't want to see him again.  Why would I want to see a doctor like that?

My husband quickly got out of the car and said he'd be right back.  Five minutes later, he came back, saying that he had cancelled the appointment .... and ...

he told the doctor why.

To his face.    *gasp*

What did you say?

I told him something along the lines that he was rude, unprofessional, and never should treat anyone, even if they didn't have a hearing loss, like that.

What did the doctor say?

Oh, that he was just joking around; he has cousins with hearing loss....etc, etc.  I told him that it didn't matter and that we weren't coming back.


My husband, my hero.

Games Kids Play...and Sometimes Adults

I was not social as a child.  I learned how to play by myself.  As a toddler, I was very much the explorer, opening every cupboard and drawer to discover what was hiding.  I never watched t.v. as I could not understand cartoons or even the Muppets on Sesame Street.  Who could lip read and understand what they were saying?  My favorite cartoon series was The Pink Panther ~ no dialogue and full of slapstick humor.  I would watch Mr. Rogers from time to time, but when it came to his puppet segment, I would tune out and find something else to do.

My first birthday party invitation came while I was in Kindergarten.  I distinctly remember one of the games.  It was where your character name was written on a piece of paper and taped to your back.  The party members would give you "clues" as to who your character was.

I didn't fully understand the "rules" and instead wandered from person to person during the game, as they animatedly gestured while giving clues and exclaiming when the child got the "right answer."  Fairly quickly, it became apparent that I was the ONLY one who had NOT guessed who my character was.

A small crowd of children gathered in front of me.  All at once, they began giving me clues at the same time.  A bewildered look came across my face.  I put my focus on the child directly in front of me.  This is what I understood the child to be saying:

"You live on Sesame Street."

"You're green."

"You're mean."

Mean?  Who is mean?  I was confused and didn't know how or what to answer.

The child raised his voice a little louder, enunciating each word,

"You live in a garbage can."

I finally said, "I don't know who it is."

Everybody threw their hands into the air and in unison said,

"You're OSCAR THE GROUCH!"

Two years ago, at a Christmas neighborhood party, the guests were given characters from television shows and movies.  My mind flashed back to my classmate's kindergarten birthday party....

I politely declined to participate and headed straight for the kitchen and asked how I could help with the food.

*Whew*

Dual Personality

Sometimes I feel like I have a dual personality.  Part of me is outgoing, talkative and social.  The other part of me is quiet, submissive, and introverted.

When I am in small group settings of six or less people, I can be friendly and feel accepted.  Especially if I am surrounded by people that I know.  Put me into a large gathering, and my personality changes.  I become a wallflower, an observer, or even shy.

My hearing loss is a large part of me and a part of my personality.  Recently, I attended a large banquet for my son, who was to receive an award as a high school senior.  It was held in a large, open ballroom located at a nearby university.

As I scanned the multitude of round tables, people and....more people.  It was huge.  People were talking with one another and the "noise" was echoing all around me.  We were led to our table, with name cards indicating where we would sit.

I immediately switched our name cards around to have my husband and son sit next to me on my right, which is the side I hear much better.  To my left, sat one of my son's teachers.  Introductions were quickly made with another set of parents and their son at the table with us.  Seven people at a round table isn't too bad, is it?

After delving into our salads, my husband quietly touched my arm.  I looked at him and then he pointed to the teacher on my left.  Apparently, she had tried to talk to me and I didn't respond.  I looked at her and she repeated herself.  I can't remember what she said, but I believe I answered her question.

I then explained to her that I have a hearing impairment and couldn't hear out of my left side.  I told her jokingly that if she said something and I didn't respond, I wasn't trying to ignore her.

I believe that was the last time she initiated any more conversation with me.  The other part of my personality emerged....the next two hours were spent looking at my food, eating, and trying to figure out who got what award and what everyone around the table was saying.  I would smile, nod, and pretend that I was part of the conversation.  There was just too much background noise to figure out what was being said.  Though the food was good, I was happy to have the event over with. 

The best part of the night?  My son was awarded the University of Utah Chemistry Student of the year and an Academic Award for his GPA.  This was one of the the moments that I am glad that I was a part of and did not miss.

Deaf Disrimination and Jobs

I just watched the show, "What Would You Do?" yesterday.  I enjoy watching the show because of the people that stand up for what is right and wrong.  Depending on the circumstances, it seems like the majority of people "do not want to get involved." 

This particular episode resonated with me.  You can watch it HERE.

In summary, two girls (actors) go into a coffee shop to apply for a kitchen position.  The managers are also actors and they are instructed to tell the deaf applicants that they will "not be able to hire" them.  Why?  Because they are "deaf" or "not a good fit."  "If you can't hear me, how are we going to communicate?" "You can make a list."  The two actors try to tell the managers that they have the skills and that the manager can "write things down" for them.  The managers again tell them that they are welcome to fill out the application, but they still will not be hiring them.

The hope was that someone, anyone, would stand up to the managers and tell them that they could not discriminate against these two applicants.  Sure, the video showed many customers that were stunned and appalled by the actions of the manager.  But....they said and did....nothing.

A couple of people did stand up to the manager, but the most surprising of all were the three people that worked in human resources/recruitment that spoke up AFTER the applicants had left.  They tell the manager(s) that they shouldn't have done that and that it is discrimination.  But what they also told them was that they should just accept the application and NOT hire them.  Huh?  "Just accept it and don't call."

Un...be.....lie...vable.

Only one man in the coffee shop openly tells the manager out loud that what he is doing is unacceptable and threatens to not come back for business.   This guy should be wearing a cape.  A true modern-day hero.

This type of action usually happens behind closed doors, but ABC wanted to bring it out into the open to see what people would do.  Did it happen to me?  I don't know.

Well, most of my jobs as a teen were spent babysitting kids for $1 per hour.  I was great at it till I discovered dating and suddenly, I wasn't available to babysit on weekends.  During one or two summers, I cleaned an elementary school.  (My dad was the principal.  Nowadays, you can't hire family members...district policy).  I guess my first "real" job was at a nearby cookie factory.  I was probably one of three people that spoke English.  I befriended several Hispanic and a couple of Laotian girls that worked with me. 

When school started, I had permission to leave for the afternoon as part of "OJT: On the Job Training."  Part of the deal was one of my teachers was assigned to visit the facility where I worked and have one of my managers evaluate me.  My teacher shared my evaluation and I was surprised.  Of course, I was on time, but my performance was lacking because "I couldn't hear."

I was laid off with many other workers during the holidays.  The next summer, after my first year of college, I applied for and got a job at a local jewelry store.  I felt that if I told the owner of my hearing impairment, he would not hire me.  I got the job and it lasted three months. 

I walked in one day and he asked me into his office.  He handed me a pink slip and told me that I wasn't making him enough money.  I also wasn't answering the phone.  (I wasn't the only person working the counter; there were two other girls there and no one told me that I had to answer the phone).  He said that I should get my hearing checked; I walked out the door and cried all the way home. 

From then on, I have been very selective about jobs. One job required a typing test and an interview.  I passed the test and the interview with flying colors.  When the manager called me to say I got the job, I told her that I would be happy to accept, but that she needed to know one thing.

After I told her about my hearing, there was a brief moment of silence.  "Well, will you be able to use a phone?" she asked.  "I'm using a phone right now.  Is it a job requirement that I be able to answer phones?" I replied.  "I guess not," she answered.

Does deaf/hard of hearing discrimination still exist?  Perhaps.  I hope this show opened up doors for recruiters, managers, and owners alike to communicate with prospective applicants and explore alternatives to the job description.  A little bit of education can go a long ways....

Reminders and a Pity Party for One

Tonight, I am reminded of my hearing loss.  Sure, I am reminded every morning when I put on my hearing aids, but once they're on, I don't feel any different.  My hearing loss is not a constant, daily reminder; just an occasional one.  I am not an actively social person, especially in large groups, but I force myself to attend such functions.  Why?  To remind myself that I am an adult, human, and a woman who needs such contact from time to time.

In church, I play the piano for the Primary aged children (ages 4-12) every Sunday, so there is no opportunity to "rub shoulders" with the ladies in church and have a social visit. So when our church hosts a social function, such as a dinner, I force myself  to get out and get to know these people that I see every Sunday. The dinner is located under a pavilion outside the church building.  I see neighbors that I haven't seen in ages..  After eating my meal, I notice several ladies sitting at a separate table and decide to join them, an assertive move on my part.

There are five ladies in all, each chatting animately about what was going on in their lives.  Mostly it is about their children.  They are talking about their daughters and even though I have two boys, I try to find something in common to share with them.  One lady comments on how cute my sandals are and I tell her where I got them.  Another gal tells me that a group of ladies  are getting together later, going to the dollar theater to see a movie and invite me to go.  "What time?" I ask.  "8:15"    "I would love to come."  I then overhear the ladies chatting about carpooling together.  I ask who is going to drive and a few of the ladies begin chatting over each other, asking each other how many seats their car will hold.  One gal mentions,  "Oh, we'll come around and pick everybody up." 

I go home, excited about going on a GNO (Girl's Night Out) and getting to know these ladies better.  8:15 came and went.  I go to my neighbor's house two doors down to see if I could get a ride with her.  Her husband answers the door.  I ask if she has left for the movie.  He said that she had left.  Then it dawns on me..."Did the movie start at 8:15?"  "Yes...I'm so sorry," he says.  "Oh, it's no problem."

Really?  No problem?  I rarely go to movies, let alone with a group of people.  It's hard to lip read many of the actors and the background music always interferes with understanding the dialogue.  However, it was nice to be invited and I was looking forward to going.  My face becomes hot and my eyes begin to sting.  I try to fight back the tears as I am walking home.  I walk into my house and throw my purse onto the floor.  My husband asks what was wrong.  I simply tell him that the movie started at 8:15.  

I'm angry.  I'm not angry with the ladies who invited me.  They don't understand my hearing loss.  I'm not angry with myself for not making sure about the details.  I'm not angry with my husband, who is trying quietly to console me.  I'm angry that I cannot hear as well as everybody else.  Sometimes, I wish I didn't have to work so hard to fit in.  I wish I could hear better, enjoy conversations more and be able to relax and enjoy a movie without captions.  Occasionally, like tonight, I am reminded that I am unable to do some things and though I try to fight it, the tears will come.  "It is what it is," I tell myself, "and no one is to blame."  I can't change what happened.  It is a pity party of one, and no one is invited.  I allow myself to have this party and let the emotions come.  I know the party will be short and will come to an eventual end.  

That's the interesting part.  I have this ability to push through my emotions fairly quickly and begin the next day as if nothing had ever happened.  I don't hold grudges or worry about the "could'ves, would'ves, or should'ves."  Talking about my feelings helps, but no one, not my husband or kids, understands how it feels to be hearing impaired.  So, here I am writing about these feelings so I can look at tomorrow as a clean slate; another chance to start over.