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From: Rob.Carr@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Rob Carr)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Sign Word for Paramedic
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Date: 25 Jan 91 18:05:45 GMT
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Index Number: 13239

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 JC> Lissen, Rob.  How many people (1)know what an Emergency Medical
 JC> Technician is and (2) recognize the intitials EMT.

Good point.  That leaves out the fingerspelling.

 JC> Just wear a white jacket, call a professional sign language
 JC> interpreter and do your job, using whatever sign language
 JC> skills you have.

I'd be fired for wearing a white jacket.  We are required to wear a specific
uniform. See why I need to be able to identify myself as a medic when there's
cops and firefighters (first responder medically trained, show up a lot)
running around?  I've been seen several times waving a stethescope, screaming
"DON'T SHOOT, I'M A MEDIC, NOT A COP!"

 JC> Frankly, hearies deciding what is right for deaf people, give
 JC> me the fantods.

No attempt was made to force anything on you.  No attempt was made to decide
anything for you.  I asked: 1) did anyone know of an extant sign 2) if not,
could one be standardized.  Yes, I offered a few suggestions.  I did not
say any had to be accepted.  Several people have pointed out that there would
be problems with two of the suggested signs.  Last night, using the third,
I was able to communicate effectively.  Of course, the rocker above the patch
on my left shoulder saying "paramedic" didn't hurt.

Sorry that you seem to have acquired fantods.  We're only trained in injuries
that pose a threat to life or limb, so I can't help you there.  I have heard
that they're possibly an autoimmune disorder, though.

... Subscribe to The Journal of Disasters in Emergency Medicine: $8.00/yr

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