Monthly Archives: Apr 2024

I was sorting through the photos left to me by my family, one Deaf man and the Deaf Club Society books handed to me by the daughter of the Deaf father. The precise images were of the veterans who went to Egypt and outside Wellington, New Zealand, during World War 2 from late Gran. It was amazing to see the veterans’ lives during the war. 

I am grateful to have these photos and treasure them for the next generation. The next generation will learn about the past of the wars, the suffering of the loss, how hardships the veterans came home to their families, even our families, and whether they (the veterans) talked about their experience of the horror wars or not. 

English poet Laurence Binyon in September 1914:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Every year, on April 25th, people in New Zealand remember their lost loved ones on a particular day—ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). In our families on both sides, we have lost granduncles, cousins, and great-grandfathers and several women who served as nurses. A few men came back alive, but their lives were not the same as before. My late father’s grandfather served in two wars before coming to New Zealand, which was odd about his life. We have got a photograph of him. Photo shown here.  

My late father, Allan, was a Home Guard in Waikato, New Zealand. Allan’s brother Keith served as a cook in the Pacific Islands through the Vietnam War, and Keith came home in one piece. My mother’s father, Albert (Gee, as we called him), was a Home Guard and a driver during World War Two. 

Canadian medical officer Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, in his poem, ‘In Flanders fields’.

In Flanders fields, the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That marks our place and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you, from failing hands, we throw

The torch be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

The photos of the veterans, the background of the images, and their lives showed us important meanings and clues of history through wars, the Deaf Society, Deaf Education, and more. Tomorrow, generations will learn from us and our lives through poverty, financial recession, our disability – D/deaf and D/deaf with disabilities, climate change, technologies, agricultural lives, infrastructure, and wealth. 

There are rich stories from the Deaf community in Ohio, USA, during World Wars One and Two, but it was only a short time until many war servicemen returned to work after the wars. Many Deaf workers were able to work in the factories while the men and most women served during World Wars One and Two, and they lost their jobs at the end of the wars because the servicemen came home and resumed their jobs. https://gallaudet.edu/museum/exhibits/history-through-deaf-eyes/community-building/factory-work-jobs-available-to-deaf-workers-durin-world-war-ii/

Here is another story from the BBC. “The Untold Stories of Deaf People in WW1. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-ouch-29846154

There are many ongoing wars in the world, and they never stop, for example, Israel vs. Gaza and Ukraine vs. Russia. In the past, there were many wars, such as the American Civil War: North and South (the Union (“the North“) and the Confederacy (“the South“)USA), the Vietnam War, and the Boers War in South Africa against the British Empire, Orange Free State, and the South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal and Anglo-Boer War).

Several questions came to my mind when I studied one of the papers – The American Civil War, at the University of Waikato, and I asked the professor whether any Deaf men served in this war or not. The professor replied no, and I thought of doing some ground research at the University of Waikato Library. I found a book called Fighting in the Shadows: The Untold Story of the Deaf People in the Civil War by Harry G. Lang, and yes, there were several Deaf men and young men who served as cannon soldiers and other stories can be found in this book. I typed an assignment as proof of my findings and handed it to the professor. He did not research any ‘born permantely’ disabled men and Deaf men and families in the war topics. I presume the professor was not interested in the disability area. 

Today is ANZAC day, and let us remember every man and woman who served in the wars and preserve their histories of service through wars. It is essential to treasure their stories through interviews, photos and items they bought back from the wars. 

Help Jean to raise money for the projects – Deaf History in NZ and International. Thanks

In Māori mythology, the Fantail is believed to bring death into our world. It’s a chilling thought, isn’t it? The Maori people, my people, hold the belief that if a Fantail is spotted inside a house, it’s a sign of impending death.

On the day of the funeral, I came home and pondered what I had been through for the family who lost their Deaf brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and granduncle. In the work under the social service, I had been visiting, assisting and supporting two Deaf brothers for over ten years. Gordon was the last member of the Deaf genetics in the family, but leaving two deaf family members of Auckland, I don’t do with these two young members. 

I consider a different ideology about Famtail than the Maori culture. For example, “As a spiritual symbol, the Fantail teaches us to find joy in the little things. Its playful nature reminds us not to take life too seriously”.

The Fantail is believed to represent joy, happiness, and spiritual change. 

There was an evening light rain, and then suddenly, reflections through the sunroom into the lounge caught my eye. I turned toward the sunroom and saw these fantails dancing in the evening with our security lights on. I watched them for a moment or a couple of moments to think about. 

So, life is precious to everyone. 

Here are the details about Fantail as a totem. 

“Fantail as a totem of positivity and optimism

Fantail is also a totem animal that is associated with positivity and optimism. Those who have Fantail as their totem are often able to find joy in even the most challenging of circumstances. They are able to maintain a positive outlook on life, even when things are difficult, and they are able to inspire others to do the same.” https://newspiritanimal.com/spiritual-meaning-of-fantail-with-symbolism-and-totem/

I have two different health issues and will be visiting the hospital next week. This makes me think about where I will be, how I will manage to do things while I am doing Deaf History projects, the works, our financials plus the projects’ financial needs to get me going, and our homes with gardens. There needs to be more funding for the projects, and I cannot use our work financially. I am hoping that my health issues won’t be severe, but it is difficult to start early, for I am 60 years old.

New Zealand is in a recession, and we have no idea how the financial situation is currently for all people, including people with disabilities. Many jobs were laid off, and other large industries were cut back due to tightened financials. Life goes on. 

I was rushed off to pick up two Deaf elderly people for their visit to another ex-deaf school friend of Titirangi School for the Deaf in Cambridge, Waikato. 

While I was driving along the Waikato Expressway to Cambridge, I was thinking of putting together a story about the Waikato Deaf Society Inc. How should I start, where I put it together in the timelines, what stories should place in order through chapters, putting photos together or in each chapter of the Deaf older members and their lives. Where should I find funding and income to continue working through by making a book and putting it on the website? I am working on the other project – Hamilton Deaf Untis and I reached out to many ex Deaf students, ex-teachers, and parents of the Deaf students. But only some have come forward with video stories, photos, and questions/answers. 

With the previous Facebook pages, I lost them and am waiting for restoration, but one helpful group managed to do the work and expected me to make the final payment, for which I have very little money left in the projects. They may not be more helpful with the final cost because the NZ Dollar is higher than the USD dollar. There were names of contacts as followers there, but I lost the followers’ contacts. I cannot leave it because I cannot make the final payment but to start making a fresh page. There is no option. Most people here were surprised, but losing the cost is relatively risky, and I will get the payment back. No other choice at the moment.   

In Cambridge, Waikato, four Deaf people are in one room having morning tea, conversing through sign language, and minimal speaking. There were a lot of laughs, reminiscing about old times, stories to share, weather talks, and, of course, families. 

“Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great too.” —Mark Twain

On my return to Hamilton, I dropped the Deaf elderly lady off at the Resthome and informed the nurse in charge and the service manager that we did social distancing and fresh air. The Resthome, elderly residents, and most staff received another COVID outbreak during our Autumn season here. Life with the COVID outbreaks is everywhere worldwide and keeps repeating through seasons. Amazing, my partner and I have not caught COVID for over 5 years, for I am a frontline worker under the social service and one of the Disability organisations. 

With Jacek in tow, we went to Hamilton East Shopping Centre, where he wanted to pay his bill and have lunch in the popular cafe. I was looking out the window and watching shoppers walk by. I noticed one chap with a tattoo. I have seen him around in Hamilton, and he is a hauāuki (disabled) Māori (Maaor)i beneficiary. He was begging for food and a little money for a couple in the street. One of the couple led him to Carl’s Jr pizza place next to the cafe where we were. It is a gesture of gratitude with a small token of the price of a pizza. Just like Jacek, when I support and assist him, he always gives me something meaningful back because of the work I have done for him. Recently, we lost one of the Deaf elderly men (ninety-one years old) last week, and his Waikato family gave me a gift of flowers and a card, plus many thankful speeches during the funeral. Again, they were a gesture of gratitude for my work for their two Deaf family members over ten years. The family and I remain in touch in the meantime, and they will assist with my project by interviewing and collecting photos. It is called friendship, and it is never lost again by trust. (Please excuse this fonts)

“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return. You should give a good thought to the happiness that you can give out.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

Over lunch, we chatted more about what was happening in the world, such as ongoing wars, fighting in the street, and flooding, because he did not understand what happened. Yes, there were subtitles on the news channel, but he does not read subtitles. I told Jacek that in Hamilton, we are experiencing more job losses and cutbacks in many businesses due to the recession in New Zealand. He is lucky because he is a retired person with three different disabilities – Deaf, Cerebral Palsy and speech impaired. Suddenly, looking at him, I wrote a story about Jacek and his experiences transitioning from Kelston School for the Deaf (Auckland) to work, as well as his pastimes and hobbies – Lawn Bowl, the Catholic Church, Christian Fellowship group and the Waikato Deaf Society. Jacek is different from his old Deaf friends because of his triple disabilities. 

This morning, I am typing this blog and still thinking about how I can piece together this carefully, one step at a time. My sister has a friend who may help me if I ask her. 

Tomorrow is another day to meet another Deaf elderly man, John K., and there will be more conversation about the Waikato Deaf Society Inc., for he is helping me with the project at no price to pay—just lunch or afternoon tea. 

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” —Calvin Coolidge

https://wordpress.com/refer-a-friend/Vwy92eJi9QNlbNQM2O0J

“Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It’s a journey of discovery – there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.” Rick Warren

Today is the day of my birthday, and it turned into a 60th year. Wow!

Some days are exemplary, and others are bad or worse throughout my life journey. 

This year, the world has gone mad, for example, wars, poverties, financial recession, job losses, climate change, natural environmental disasters and many other issues. The worst of all are the disabled people struggling to live somewhere, facing the hardship of financial costs such as food, petrol, power, and gaining minimal benefit incomes; of course, the disability funding cut for their support persons and carers and unable/may be able to acquire special equipment for their disabled child, themselves around home and outing in New Zealand. A few disabled people manage to pay their house mortgages and loans. Still, it isn’t easy because single-household people work jobs to pay for mortgages and loans. Other countries like South America, Africa, Haiti, and the Pacific Islands are facing financial recession, and many people with disabilities face tremendous hardships and poverties. Look at Gaza – they are facing a significant crisis, and the percentage of children and babies becoming disabled due to violent wars is becoming malnutrition – shortage of food aid which does not match the high population of over 5 million. 

 “Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed.“

— Mwai Kibaki

Because of the skills I learned, I left school and took jobs different from those in the Deaf community. Over the years, I went from deaf bank officer to data entry officer to community liaison to advocate/historian/researcher. It is about a leadership role where you require skills in the disability sector anywhere in the world. Learn from the people and children with disabilities and their stories to share, as well as their struggles to remove the barriers and unfriendly accessibility in the communities and businesses. 

The more substantial skill has been advocating for communities, businesses, the City Council, and the government over many years. Many still have a long way to go to learn about us and our world, so we want to break down the barriers and make it more friendly and accessible globally. Around the world, there are many Disability Act Laws, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the People with Disabilities, US Disability Acts, and Sign Language Acts. It only arrives to people who know about this or may know little but to ignore it. Whenever I support/assist anyone with a disability/deaf through their struggling barriers, we meet and discuss with businesses, MPs, GPs,/Nurses by making successful goals to remove the barrier and be accessible. However, only very little time was unsuccessful, and we chose to move away and find someone better to offer.

“Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed” – Albert Einstein.

Health-wise, yes, there have been changes from time to time. We live with it and take care of it by removing the barriers and accessibility without moving to another house with a garden in the countryside due to our ages. Because the house prices are blinky and bonkers, which does not match everyone’s financial income. 

I would love to travel worldwide again, but not now due to the high prices and my health. In the past, I travelled widely around the world from 1981 to 2009, budget-wise, carefully planning and taking time off work, such as two to three months. 

Life is more than just money because life’s richness lies in the deep connections we form, our experiences, our personal growth, and our positive impact on the world around us. While money is essential to meeting basic needs, it is not the sole reason and won’t lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life. 6 Aug 2023 https://medium.com/5-minute-sweet-spot/10-reasons-why-life-is-more-than-just-money-e5a762424523#:~:text=Life%20is%20more%20than%20just%20money%20because%20life’s%20richness%20lies,a%20fulfilling%20and%20meaningful%20life.

Technology has changed from landline phones, unsuitable for all Deaf people, to faxes, computers, video chats, emails, and mobile phones. Many disabled people/students use Government Disability funding to obtain a computer, laptop, or mobile phone for job seeking, studying at the University, Interpreting services, and other communication methods. Social media is terrific but has its downsides, such as hackers, scammers, the insufficient cost of repairs work, and being unaffordable for their needs around home and schools. I recalled one day when I was in Switzerland. Preparing to go to the Netherlands, I posted a postcard to my mother to let her know I was still coming home and met her at the Airport. We needed a fax machine here and overseas to communicate at that time. I was not aware of the problem; my mother was talking to my sister about whether I was coming home, and my sister told Mum to go to the Airport and wait there when I came home. I arrived at the Airport in Auckland, and Mum was relieved to see me. I asked her if she got my last postcard from Switzerland, and she said no. Then, two weeks later, the postcard arrived. That is something to learn, such as emails, mobiles, and texts today, and it is a good tool, but the financial cost only matches some. 

We are not well off financially here as we have a house mortgage to pay, loans to pay, bills to pay, the high cost of food and petrol, and other types of technology—WIFI has crazy prices and poor reception, even though it is not cheap here. The only things we have are growing vegetables and fruits, our skills around home and garden to do it ourselves before we get too old, and peaceful property away from the city. 

“Money isn’t everything since it can’t buy us the essential things in life: health and love. One of the most important things in life is your relationships. Friends and family are the people who will be there for you through thick and thin, and they are worth more than any amount of money. “26 Jul 2023 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/money-everything-give-you-choices-options-so-important-dayal-ram#:~:text=Money%20isn’ t%20everything%20since,in%20life%3A%20health%20and%20love.&text=One%20of%20the%20most%20important,than%20any%20amount%20of%20money.

I learned our late grandparents’ skills and finances, growing vegetables and fruits, carpentry, butchery, recycling, and saving something to replace old, wear-and-tear products/materials again. I taught the young generations to learn from us and how we manage to do things. Today, generations have not learnt anything about our past lives, how we lived in the old days and our living experience with disability. Today’s lives are more or less corrupt; greed destroys other lives in the community, struggles with technology costs, financial costs, difficulty finding a house anywhere, and so on. It is not the same thing in the past. 

I am grateful that I have made it this far – a 60th year.