Although "Operation Krysta Relocation" hasn't quite landed at a permanent destination as of yet I still have hope as I continue learning from each interaction that life brings to me.
I can also promise you that the adventures I recently found myself engaged in were, as always, more than mildly entertaining... but more importantly, very illuminating.
After meandering my way back to the city, I met up with my long time friend Zack at a local bar. His brother Gabe had energetically accepted the open invite to come with, blatantly ignoring the fact he was already wasted. We arrived just in time for last call with closing time a mere twenty minutes away. When we left, we learned that Gabe had bumped into a guy he knew and had invited him back to the apartment for more drinks rather than do the wise thing and just call it a night. Unknown to both Zack and myself, Gabe's friend happened to be from Tibet, and only understood small bits of broken English. Normally, that sort of thing would be no big deal. This time, that wasn't the case. Shortly thereafter, we discovered that he is also mute, deaf in both ears, and I cannot confirm nor deny if he had vision in his right eye. -(Referred to as Jeff from here on out).
Jeff hadn't been born with such a cruel combination of ailments. As a small child he was in an accident that tore those gifts away from him simultaneously leaving him without hope of healing or medical repair. So, as if the communication barriers at hand weren't already quite the challenge to overcome, we also became aware of the fact that Jeff was not sober, by any stretch of the imagination. So there we it was, the final obstacle. Alcohol. The one thing guaranteed to make it impossible for people to communicate even if they are speaking the same language.
Upon arriving back to the apartment, with Jeff now part of the troupe, Gabe suddenly thinks he knows ASL (a.k.a. flailing arms wildly and pointing at invisible objects). I am not an expert with ASL but since I was raised around it, I can understand any spelled words, specific phrases, and most common terms as they are signed. I frantically racked my brain for any and all ASL signs that I could, meanwhile this poor gentleman became more and more frustrated with the massive communication barriers between us. Unfortunately, the only ASL signs that came to mind were the following:
Please/Thank you
Mother/Father
Girl/Boy
Yes/No
More
French Fries
Cookie
Albeit, those are very crucial terms within the realm of communication, they were of no help whatsoever in regard to the situation at hand. Tensions continued to rise between all parties as I continued to decipher the drunken sign language Jeff was trying to convey. As the evening came to an end, Jeff left in a huff, looking utterly defeated, after spending 2 very intense hours attempting to make a connection with the three of us, without any luck. Not a single one of us could even efficiently interpret what he was signing to us. While he was walking out the door, he pulled out his phone as if he was going to take down my number. Gabe immediately got angry and started to physically push Jeff out of the apartment...quite forcefully under the pretense that Jeff was being belligerently drunk and refusing to leave and if we weren't careful, he would get aggressive. I gave Jeff a hug good-bye and my heart went out to him as the confused look in his eyes stared into mine. I saw him walk away with a stature of defeat, alone in a world of silence, with no choice but to continue navigating the difficult path that had been provided to him.
Please/Thank you
Mother/Father
Girl/Boy
Yes/No
More
French Fries
Cookie
Albeit, those are very crucial terms within the realm of communication, they were of no help whatsoever in regard to the situation at hand. Tensions continued to rise between all parties as I continued to decipher the drunken sign language Jeff was trying to convey. As the evening came to an end, Jeff left in a huff, looking utterly defeated, after spending 2 very intense hours attempting to make a connection with the three of us, without any luck. Not a single one of us could even efficiently interpret what he was signing to us. While he was walking out the door, he pulled out his phone as if he was going to take down my number. Gabe immediately got angry and started to physically push Jeff out of the apartment...quite forcefully under the pretense that Jeff was being belligerently drunk and refusing to leave and if we weren't careful, he would get aggressive. I gave Jeff a hug good-bye and my heart went out to him as the confused look in his eyes stared into mine. I saw him walk away with a stature of defeat, alone in a world of silence, with no choice but to continue navigating the difficult path that had been provided to him.
All of this because of a language barrier.
Humbled by last nights encounter, I took the time this morning to research various ASL idioms and phrases. It was extremely disconcerting to discover that most of what he was trying to sign to us were basic conversation starters. Questions such as "What is your name?" and "How old are you?" The thing that hit home with me the most though, was when I figured out the sign he had kept signing repeatedly. Any time that he let even the slightest bit of frustration escape, he placed his right hand over his chest heart and moved it in a circular motion --- "I am sorry."
Humbled by last nights encounter, I took the time this morning to research various ASL idioms and phrases. It was extremely disconcerting to discover that most of what he was trying to sign to us were basic conversation starters. Questions such as "What is your name?" and "How old are you?" The thing that hit home with me the most though, was when I figured out the sign he had kept signing repeatedly. Any time that he let even the slightest bit of frustration escape, he placed his right hand over his chest heart and moved it in a circular motion --- "I am sorry."
I am utterly amazed by the patience, persistence, and dedication exhibited by this individual. He has been through so many different trials in a single lifetime, and continues to press forward with a smile on his face, just happy to be alive. Willing to take responsibility for every bit of frustration that may be involved with communicating with him. In comparison, my problems no longer seem as severe as they did yesterday.
