Deaf socialize at group's monthly meeting

Deaf socialize at group's monthly meeting

By Carolina Amengual
The Daily News
Published February 26, 2006

Sharon Miller no longer needs to sign to get her morning caffeine fix. Employees at Starbucks on Bay Area Boulevard across from Baybrook Mall know exactly what she needs to start her day: A cup of caffé latte with skim milk — “grande.”

The Friendswood resident has become a familiar face at the coffee shop. The store is a must-stop on her way to work and it's also the place where, once a month, Miller meets with people who, like her, are deaf or hard of hearing.

Deaf Chat Coffee socials began almost three years ago in California and they have since spread to more than 20 states and Canada.

On a recent Friday evening, Miller and about 30 of her Deaf Chat Coffee peers got together “just for fun.” Hands, facial expressions and body movements did all the talking. They discussed everything, from kids and jobs to TV shows to training for the upcoming MS 150 Bike Tour.

While e-mail, text messaging and videophones have made it easier for the deaf community to stay in touch, the monthly get-together constitutes an opportunity to catch up with friends as a group and meet new people.

“I like to laugh and talk with hearing people, but with a deaf person it's more open because you can express your feelings better,” said Larry Smith of Friendswood through interpreter Kristina Pretzsch. “We share that bond. Deaf people are like a family.”

Jaclyn Mathews, a Clear Creek ninth-grade student and a newcomer to the group, seemed to feel that special connection. Shy at first, she later smiled and looked at ease while chatting with teenagers and adults.

Mathews, who was born prematurely and suffered nerve damage, knows how to sign and at school relies on the assistance of Pretzsch, an educational interpreter. But with effort and the help of a hearing aid, she can also talk.

Not everyone, however, is ready to interact with her, she said, which often makes her feel “stuck in between.”

“Hearing people are afraid of talking to me,” Mathews acknowledged. “They act weird around me. Sometimes, it takes a year until they talk.”

Robert Blair, a sign language instructor with the Clear Creek Independent School District, used the coffee place gathering to give his hearing students a chance to socialize with other deaf people.

“It breaks the fear of meeting deaf people,” said Blair, who was born deaf. “When they feel they can't communicate very well, they back off, so exposing them to this helps. Rather than just teaching signs, it's a real-life experience.”

One of his students, 17-year-old Kegan Pruessner, jumped at the chance to practice what he learned in class.

“They're nice and they want to teach you to sign,” Pruessner said. “They get very excited about people who want to learn, and if you have a question, they want to help. They're very inspiring people.”

Kathleen Pretzsch, Kristina's mother, appreciates when Starbucks' employees try to communicate beyond handwritten notes or pointing to items on the menu.

“A lot of them ask what's the sign for ‘thank you; some ask how to say ‘coffee,'” she said. “It makes me feel good because they want to learn my language, so I teach them. Maybe they'll learn more later if they continue to ask.”

+++

What: Deaf Chat Coffee meetings.

When: 7 p..m. every third Friday of the month.

Where: Starbucks, 1507 W. Bay Area Blvd., Webster.

Information: Go to www.deafchatcoffee.org or e-mail Kathleen Pretzsch at cajunbirdygranny(at)houston.rr.com.

Details: Meetings are open to everyone.

To read article online, please go to:
http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=ac7c37df29f4f980


-----

The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription:

You are subscribed to the following list: Deaf Chat Coffee

Using the following email: [email]

You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: <http://www.deafcoffee.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=dcc&e=[email]&p=[pin]>;

If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism.

You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: <http://www.deafcoffee.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=dcc>;

If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: <mailto:newsletter@deafcoffee.com>

Subscribe | Unsubscribe