Remembering

[jennyjoan]

Although I have left school a long long time I qualified in my juniors at 16

English literature
Irish
French
Domestic Science (home economics)
Algebra and
RSA Typing on the old typewriter (72 wpm) for which I received a commendation from the Head of the Civil Service

Today I would have an extensive memory of French a tiny bit of Irish and good bit of DS - for the life of me I can't remember Algebra - really don't know how I passed it.

Passed my driving test after 11 lessons the first time.

Do they do Algebra at school now.

On reflection of my life I have done pretty well to be deaf in a mainstream school. Lipreading was my saviour and I know lots of people refuse to believe I am 80% deaf and have been offered a cochlear implant by my consultant. No way hosay. I say. I came in "corned beef" (deef) and I will go out that way. Hope nobody will say I am blowing my trumpet.

At home was always treated as normal - too normal I say - although the youngest of the family - the difficulties I endured in childhood made me the head of the family - a lot of troubles were heaped on me unnecessarily from a young age and am still treated as the Head.

There, got that off my chest. JJConn

[maggiebee]

Sounds as if you started out with the right attitude and carried on that way. The way you were treated by your family obviously had a great influence on you.

[ummmm]

My uncle was 80% deaf in one ear and about 60% in the other. A few years back he had an op which restored the hearing in his worse ear to an acceptable level. He just wears one hearing aid now in the 60% ear. It took him a while to get used to it but he's glad he did.

[jennyjoan]

Oh I wear a hearing aid in one ear - aid no good for the other. Have bought private hearing aids over the years - last one was ate by Mr Harv so I am back on the NH - it just amplifies a little but lipreading has been my God.

[murraymints]

Conne...you come from good stock ! xx

[jennyjoan]

Thank you Murray - actually my family are all singers - ah I lucked out.

[murraymints]

I would love to be musical ..alas no...an old school boyfriend was a musical genius..we walked into a rather smart bar and were nearly turfed out, about 12 of us all very young and obviously skint, until he walked to piano and started playing the most beautiful classical pieces...we had free drinks all night....he played with Scottish national orchestra later..and had the voice of an angel... although we were pretty good when he played bohemian rhapsody !

[jennyjoan]

I think it is wonderful if you can play any musical instrument - it can carry you through a lot of dilemmas.

[factor-fiction]

>Do they do Algebra at school now?

Yes, but I always try to avoid using the word 'algebra' as too many pupils have been told by their parents that it's too difficult. It is a difficult topic to teach but once students grasp it it's fairly straightforward

[jennyjoan]

Thanks Factor - may brush up on it via internet.

[Tilly2]

JJConn, you have obviously done very well to overcome your hearing difficulty. I hope you are still enjoying your role as head of the family, although I suppose it does cause you some stress, sometimes. Good on you.

[factor-fiction]

I wish I could pop over and do some factorising with you

[Tilly2]

Who, me?

[Svejk]

factor's looking for sum action. ;-(

[Psybbo]

Hmm, I am divided on this point^

[Tilly2]

If he is, sweety, he's being a bit obtuse.

[Tilly2]

Sibs, stop protracting!

[Svejk]

actually 'pop over' would suggest helping conn with her difficulties.

[Svejk]

but I'm available for private lessons. I don't know nothing, mind.

[Tilly2]

He could 'pop over' here, though. Not sure where he's popping from.

[Svejk]

just realised we're not in chatterbank. do apologise, conn. ;-)