TRANSITION

from a Student's Point of View

by Nancy Kanta

IMPACT-HI Third Quarter 1992

It was my pleasure to interview a young man named Evan Adair. Evan is a seventeen year old who attends Roosevelt High School in Fresno. Evan signs and uses his speech simul­taneously, which makes communicat­ing with him very easy and clear! It was a joy to become acquainted with such an honest, well-adjusted person who represents our future. He won't be a senior until this fall but he is already preparing himself for the transition from High School to the work force. Here is our interview.

 

• Q. Where were you born?

A.  Santa Cruz.  When I was three years old we moved to San Jose. I've lived in Fresno for ten years now.

 

• Q.   How many people are in your family?

A.   Four.   I have a six year old brother.

 

• Q.   Do you have other deaf people in your family?

A. No.  when I was two and a half years old I became sick with menin­gitis. That is when I became deaf.

 

• Q.   What are positive things about being deaf for you?

A.   I don't have to listen to loud noises.

 

• Q.   What are some negative things about being deaf for you?

A.  I don't know... I can't hear my name if someone calls.

 

• Q. Do you have more hearing friends or deaf friends?

A.   Both.   I feel comfortable with both. Sometimes some hearing people don't feel comfortable with me because they think they can't talk to me.

 

• Q. Do your parents or brother sign?

 A. No

 

• Q. I've heard other deaf people say they feel left out 01 .their families, especially at dinner time because everyone was sit­ting and talking but they didn't feel part of the conversation. Do you feel that way?

A. No. I can read lips real well. If I want to know what they are talking about I just ask them.

 

• Q. Where did you go to school?

A. Kindergarten to fourth grade I was in an oral deaf education program at Alice Birney. Fifth and sixth grades at Dry Creek where I started mainstreaming with an interpreter. I also ran track. Jr. High School at Awahnee and then to Roosevelt High School.

 

• Q. How are your grades?

A. I have a 3-.V grade point average.

 

• Q. Do you play any sports?

A. I may racquetball at the gym.

 

• Q.  Do your parents stress the importance of school?

A. Yes. Without that I think I would fail.

 

• Q.   Do your parents help you with your home work?

A. No. That is my responsibility. I study during the week and work at Burger King on week ends.   I am saving my money so I can buy a car. I already bought a really good mountain bike with the money I've saved.

 

• Q.   What are your goals after High School?

A. I want to be in forestry. I want to attend Kings River College and get my AA. Then go to Humbolt for my B.A.. I won't quit college. I want a good job in forestry and hopefully get promotions. I want to be able to take care of myself. I want to be able to do things for myself like go to the store and ask questions about what I want to buy. Now, when I go shopping I ask my Mom, "How much does this cost?" Then she asks the saleswoman, "How much does this cost?" The sales woman tells my Mom and my Mom tells me. That is the kind of thing I want to be able to do myself.

 

• Q. Do you feel that some deaf students don't set high enough goals for themselves for after they graduate?

A. Yes. Deaf and hearing.  Some deaf people have graduated and they don't have good jobs. I don't know why. I want to be different.

 

• Q. Is there any thing you would like to change about your life?

A. No. I wouldn't change anything.If all of the graduating seniors are anything like Evan, our future is in good hands.