Monday Outing to Cambridge, Waikato

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