http://www.aslresource.net/CountrySigns.html
I have found an incredible resource for all of you. It is a website that not only shows you a variety of country signs but it also demonstrates them as well. I thought this would be a great opportunity for you to learn country signs and lead us to a world discuss this week!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Monica
This is from my mom- it has nothing to do with this country thing, but I was furious when I read it and wanted to share it with the class. I am outraged that this is still taking place. People have rights and I felt as though as a class you all would like to read this as well. Let me know what you think.
ReplyDeletePatty wrote these comments: Thought of you when I read this story
This Article from StarTribune.com has been sent to you by Patty.
*Please note, the sender's identity has not been verified.
The full Article, with any associated images and links can be viewed here.
Deaf patient was dying, but no one told her
LORA PABST, Star Tribune
David Nelson got the bad news about his wife in December 2005. He just didn't know it.
For three months, the Nelsons met with doctors at North Memorial Medical Center, but they weren't aware Mary Ann was dying of cancer. In fact, they thought she was doing well enough in her battle with the disease that she could go to her retirement party. So they were stunned in March 2006 when her oncologist abruptly put an end to their hopes -- and their request -- with a terse note saying, "We can't cure the cancer!"
It was the first time the Nelsons, both deaf, understood the cancer was terminal, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Mary Ann Nelson died in May 2006.
The agency pointed to the incident as an example of the medical team's failure to communicate effectively with the Nelsons. This week, state regulators announced that North Memorial agreed to pay $105,000 to settle charges that Nelson and another patient were not provided access to qualified sign language interpreters. Often, David Nelson had to read lips or write notes to communicate with doctors and nurses, despite his repeated requests for an interpreter.
"It was extremely difficult and painful for them," said Rick Macpherson, Nelson's attorney. "They couldn't ask any questions. They couldn't have any discussion. They couldn't get any kind of comfort."
For decades, the deaf and hearing impaired didn't know if they would get an interpreter when going to a hospital. The landscape changed in 2004 after federal officials accused Fairview Health Services of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit led to a settlement and improved local compliance with the law, as state and federal officials started visiting other Minnesota hospitals to make sure they were providing properly trained interpreters. (there is more)
(the rest of the article)
ReplyDeleteBut the problems haven't gone away. Macpherson, an attorney with the Minnesota Disability Law Center, has pursued cases in recent years against hospitals, nursing homes, jails, police departments and other organizations.
No system in place
Nelson and another deaf patient, Mark Epstein, filed complaints with the Department of Human Rights in 2007 over treatment at North Memorial.
Epstein was hospitalized at North Memorial in March 2007 for inflammation in his intestines, according to the state investigation. He requested an interpreter every day, but he never received one. When he was given a medication, he didn't understand what it was or why he had to take it. When he was discharged five days later, he didn't know what kind of shape he was in.
Initially, North Memorial employees maintained that Epstein didn't ask for an interpreter and relied on his wife, who had partial hearing in one ear. But state regulators said the medical records showed that an interpreter was needed in this case.
By relying on family members and others to interpret complicated medical information, the hospital jeopardized the health of both Epstein and Mary Ann Nelson, investigators concluded.
In the settlement, North Memorial agreed to put someone in charge of coordinating services for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, and make sure interpreters show up for meetings.
Macpherson said that's important, because nobody at the hospital followed through on the oncologist's request for an interpreter at an important family conference with the Nelsons. Instead, the request went unfilled.
In a statement, North Memorial said it has been working with the Department of Human Rights and members of the deaf community to implement changes, including the use of portable electronic devices that connect patients with qualified interpreters via video. Staff training on the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing patients is expected to be completed by the end of March. North Memorial must show it is complying with the terms of the agreement for two years.
Macpherson said such settlements send an important message to public and private entities.
"Money talks," he said. "It causes the hospital and other institutions to take this seriously."
Lora Pabst • 612-673-4628
I'm having some problems ... several of them pop up telling me I need Quicktime 5 or later (which I have - MUCH later version). I even reinstalled quicktime to no avail.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I decided to start by looking up the Country sign for people that I know.
My friend Olga is from Russia, I know the 'old' sign, but I'd like to see the new ones (not working).
Same for my friend from Venezuela ...
I did get Ukraine to work! (But Olga has family there, not 'from' there.) Still, I like it, like it! It's an 'X' from the side of your nose then wiggles down the front. I don't know if there is 'symbolism' with that ??
My old friend Mahawanatu was from Sierra Leone. Easy one, 'S' going to an 'L' on the back of the left hand. Like that sign too!
I've been trying to get Belgium, also. I have many business relationships with people there... its not working.
If anyone figures out the 'quicktime' thing - Please let me know! :)
Okay, my quicktime works... The first sign I saw that I thought was interesting, a "w" that starts near your shoulder and then goes straight down, but towards the bottom, your fingers curl. That one is from Whales. <--- yes it is a country.
ReplyDeletethe second one: an "A" that is by the corner of your mouth, just like Abby's name sign. This one is from Sudan.
A third one: Netherlands/Holland, "5" fingers touch over the ears then swoop outward and opposite into flat "O"s. This one looks-like you are tracing a hat.
-Julie, some of the quicktime apps don't work for some countries for me either, I just kept clicking until I found one that works.
Haha, I think I'm having way too much fun with this country thing. I think many of them are interesting, but I will talk about my favorites. One being Puerto Rico- you sign a "P" and then an "R" on the back of your other hand. It is easier to understand when you see it. Another one I really enjoyed was Vatican City- signed with an "H" and you draw a cross out in front of you. So cool! Considering it's one of the most Holy Cities for Christians. Another favorite of mine is Paris- signed with "V" on both hands and make which reminds me of the Eifful Tower. Very neat. I know the last 2 aren't countries, but they looked cool.
ReplyDeleteFirst off Abby that article was hard to read, first I wanted to cry for the couple that didn’t know she was terminal, then I was just angry. At least they are trying to figure it out now but why has it taken this long? How many people have went without knowing what was wrong with them or how to take their meds or when to come back to their next appointment?
ReplyDeleteOkay, Julie I am having the same difficulty as you and I am on the school computers so I am not sure what to do about the Quicktime thing. And I would have to agree with Erica that the sign for Paris was really cool I also thought of the Eifful Tower. A few others I thought were neat Vietnam “C” hand traces downward like a moustache. Just fun to sign! Poland you take your thumb of an extended “A” touch under the nose twice. Also fun to sign. The final and my FAVORITE country to sign is now Iraq because it reminds me of our sign for “Bitch Crown” use “B” and tap it on the center of your forehead.
Abby: Thank you for sharing the article. It made me mad, but people need to realize this is still happening and it's ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteJulie: I'm having the same problem, I even reinstalled quicktime 7, I'm thinking the website's videos might be too old to be compatable with the new player?
As for signs, I like the sign for london (I realize it isn't a country, but England wouldn't work on my computer, and I'm going to London this summer) it's an "L" handshape pointing at your ear, and then moved like the motion for saying someone is crazy. I feel it may appropriately describe the city...
I also enjoyed the signs for Fiji, one of them is the sign for coconut, which I find highly amusing!
This is fun - first I have to look up the Countries suggested by everyone ...
ReplyDeleteIraq one is a little scarey ... Looks like they're threatening to slice something - LOL.
I have HS friends that live in Costa Rica! CR - like.
Paris - both signs fun. Easy to remember the ASL version, because of the Eiffel Tower.
Egypt looks like a snake coming out of your forehead ... possibliy like Pharoah's tomb?
I looked up Haiti - Easy to do, cool sign.
Still want Belgium to work ...
Michelle: The Iraq one does look like the bitch crown! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI liked Scotland (4 fingers making a criss cross pattern, just like the plaid they wear_
I also liked the sign for Fiji.
I think that I looked at over half of these they were so fun!
It is so interesting because most of them half a sign that you know that relates to that country.
I like the sign for Guadeloupe with the two hands using "5" shapes with one upside down, thumbs touching. The sign for Martinique (I have no idea where that is) is cool too, it's sort of like Guadeloupe but the hands both face inward and they're both upright and the fingers wiggle (spirit fingers!)I really like the sign for Cairo! The claw hand and the motion make me think "meee-ow!" :) The sign for Moldova (again, not really sure where that is) is like wiping sweat off of your forehead with a rag and then shaking off the wet rag afterwards! Maybe it's really hot there. There are so many of these! It's fun to see the signs and how they relate to the countries. I like the ASL sign for Vietnam with the mustache but I'm wondering why that would be - do alot of people in Vietnam have mustaches? :)
ReplyDeletetesting testing 1 2 3
ReplyDeleteParis=awesome sign. Also Iraq is highly reminicent of the bitch crown, lucky them.
ReplyDeleteI just love looking all of these, I like how some of the countries have an explaintion for the sign (like the eiffel tower for paris or coconut for fiji)written behind the discription of the sign. Some of them are really illustrative of why ASL is such a visual language!
wtf! who's charlie? and testing testing 1 2 3 is not a sign
ReplyDeletemelissa... that's funny, Iraq is similar to the bitch sign. So many interesting signs, so little room in my brain to remember them..
ReplyDeleteMichelle- I now cannot stop laughing. Haha. Iraq= bitch crown. Very funny. At least it is one that I will remember. Abby- just wanted to say I enjoyed reading that article. It really tells us that things need to be changed. Everyone- I really enjoy what you all have to say every vlog. =)
ReplyDeleteOn a side note- I really liked going to lunch today. Not just because we got free lunch, but it was like my first public appearance at signing. I know that is dumb to say, but surprisingly I felt very at ease. I felt comfortable with signing. I now feel a little more confident with my signing. I don't know if it had to do with being out of the classroom, but either way I enjoyed myself. =)
Okay- I keep playing with this thing trying to make them all work, or at least most of them... BUT i have been able to see some of them. I looked at a lot of them that people said they liked and I enjoyed them as well! I think this is a lot of fun and would enjoy it more though if my computer wasn't being so darn slow and just poopy!
ReplyDeleteAlso- I loved lunch today! AND for the record again I didn't talk at all!
I got Iraq to work and I AM LAUGHING OUT LOUD!!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay- I got a few more to work. Some of them I had other ideas in my head and then when I saw what they really were I was bummed out. Ha. Oh well. I keep wanting to know why, why that country uses that sign. I also want to know why though. I like Zimbabwe's sign. :) I might have spelled that wrong though.
ReplyDeleteSorry some of you are having problems accessing the signs. :(
ReplyDeleteEven though it is frustrating when that happens this has such a wealth of information for us and is just so darn cool!
I enjoyed lunch with all of you yesterday. I am really proud of you and amazed at how far you have come. The ease that you conversed showed such development in your language skills. Also, while eating you did not just eat in silence. You were working to get attention of others and talk while eating! GREAT! You were truly exploring a culture experience.
Feel free to add comments on our lunch experience as well.
Don't forget to bring your idiom to class with an explanation of what it means and the history behind it too. It may be either English or ASL.
Looking forward to Friday with you!
Monica
See you tomorrow!
Monica
I enjoyed the opportunity to have an ASL experience outside of the classroom, without the 'pressure' of a Deaf Community event ... sometimes there are so many people at those that it is quite intimidating.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago, when I was at St. Kate's in St. Paul - we had "Deaf Lunch" once a week. Several students, and some Deaf people that worked or taught at the college would have lunch together and of course, use only ASL. It was similar to what we just did, and I found it to be VERY helpful learning new signs, and having 'conversations' rather than practiced speeches or whatever.
Any word on the Deaf Club?
Happy Valentine's Weekend!
Well... So happy the ASL/Deaf Awareness Club is getting started. :) Looking forward to the meetings! YAY! (Insert excited scream here)
ReplyDeleteAnyway... I just wanted to again say that I really feel honored that Monica has given us name signs.Listening to her talk about what a huge honor and deal it is I feel very special that we are able to have gotten this far as a class!
Julie- I love the fact that your class at St. Kate's would get together for "Deaf Lunch" I think that would be an awesome idea for our campus and for students here to get together to have "Deaf Lunch" here! What does everyone else think? We could try and find a time that would work for most of us and we could set this up for ourselves?
Hope to see everyone at the club meetings!
Have a great week!