by Deborah Wincler
Looking at the calendar this Easter morning, I realized that it was an anniversary of sorts for me, as I lost my hearing just one year ago. A year set apart from all the others by the unique and challenging events that arose as a result of that loss.
When I first learned that my hearing loss was permanent and not the temporary side effect of a bad ear infection, the first question that came to mind was, "How in the world will I ever be able to finish school?" I was a third-year pre-medical student at the university and already struggling with some of the more exacting science courses, barely managing to hold on to my 3.5 GPA. I couldn't imagine how I would ever be able to finish my degree now that could no longer hear my instructors.
For the past five weeks while doctors had prescribed round after round of antibiotic therapy to treat my ear infection, I had relied on the compassion of classmates who shared their lecture notes with me so that I could keep up with the latest material. It was not an effective strategy, though, as evidenced by the latest test scores. We just didn't think the same way, these notetakers and I. While their notes may have made perfect sense to them, they were little more than gibberish to me. Without being able to follow the instructor's lecture, I was missing nearly half of the required material. There was no way I could graduate without completing the required classes, and there was no way to accomplish that if I had to rely on notetakers. It simply wasn't working. My dreams of a college degree were shattered.
Determined to find a way to complete my degree, I sought out the aid of the Student Disabilities Office at the university. There, with help of a concerned counselor and the dictates of the ADA, I was able to secure CART services for the start of the fall semester. This event literally changed my life and put educational goals back into the realm of "do-able."
I am now only 30 hours away from that coveted degree. With the clear and complete transcription of every class lecture, I have been able to pursue my education unimpeded by my lack of hearing. Rhonda Sansom, my CART provider, and I have worked well together. She is my partner in education, one that I can never thank enough. She is always there, ever warm, friendly and helpful. I can't imagine ever achieving my dreams without her steadfast aid.
If you have had an experience with captioning or CART that you would like to share, please e-mail it to Peter Wacht, pwacht@ncrahq.org, or mail it to his attention at NCRA, 8224 Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, VA 22312.