One of the things that I felt was important for us to do was to get a sign that would alert drivers to the fact that a deaf child lives in the area. We live out in the country and our road is not really very busy, but should Shea make it to the street, she would never hear the cars coming. This was a tough battle. Our Early Intervention case worker got the process started for us by applying to the county for the sign in December 2011. She submitted all the requested paperwork and was given a work-order number. And then we waited. A month went by and nothing was happening. She called and was told they were working on it. Another month went by....still nothing. Again, she called and was given the same nonsense about it being in the works. After the 3rd month went by, I called the county myself and asked for s status update on that work order. I was transferred to one of the "head engineers" who told me that the person in charge of these types of signs was on vacation. I called back the following week and was told that he was in meetings and that they also did not even know where to get such a sign and then he proceeded to tell me that there are DOT regulations that had to be followed, etc., etc. I told them that; A) my husband is a professional driver, so I am well aware of DOT regs and B) to call the little town adjacent to ours and ask where they got their sign from because they had one just like this! By now I was just plain angry. I shot an e-mail to the County Commissioners. Later that day I received an e-mail back from one of the commissioners who said he was going to check into the situation for me and get back with me in a couple days. Well, that was the fire under someone's behind! I got a call the next day from that same engineer, telling me that our signs would be installed the very next day.....and sure enough, FINALLY, on April 4, 2012, we received our signs!
Now I have an entirely different issue - the drivers! Not a single person slows down out here! Shea and I take a 2-mile walk nearly every day and even when I am walking on the side of the road pushing a stroller they don't slow down half the time! And there is no shoulder out here, so I end up taking the stroller off-road into the weeds.
Please, if you happen to drive in an area where you notice a deaf child sign, please slow down. Take a moment to understand what it means. Even hearing children get hit by cars sometimes, and they can hear the traffic coming. Realize what that sign is telling you - there is a child nearby who can NOT hear your vehicle, doesn't hear whatever crazy music you're listening to (if it has enough bass, though, they can probably feel it) and can't hear your horn as a warning to get out of the way. Just slow down! The extra minute or two it takes you to drive through that area may keep a child from getting hurt or killed. And who knows, by slowing down you may see some bit of interest or beauty that you had never noticed before when you were flying down the road. :)
Come learn a new sign today at
Signing with Shea on Facebook
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