Dear Caller,
I have known you since you first turned on your first video phone. I
remember how excited you were to make a call to your mom using your
hands, how baffled you were at the simplicity of filling your own
prescriptions through the press of a button. I remember, with more joy,
the first time you made a mobile call. It was awkward for us both as you
tried to figure out the best position for your phone hand. Signing one
handed never felt so strange, I am sure. I have to admit, I was polite
the first time and didn't want to embarrass you, I saw more of your nose
hairs than your hands. We figured it out though, didn't we? And now you
make calls from the grocery store, mall, park, doctor's office, and
sometimes to test my cardiac health you make VP calls from your moving
vehicle. Nothing says equal access quite like mobile VP, in my opinion.
Caller, I remember when you got your pet. They were so sweet and
cute. We called every single one of your family members to tell them all
about it. You were so excited and held your pet up for every VI to see,
with pride. I remember all the calls we made to the groomer and the
vet. I remember thinking of you and your pet when I would see someone
walking their dog or petting their cat in my everyday life. One of the
hardest days of my job was the day I had to call and tell you your pet
had died. I am so sorry that you received that news. I am so sorry that I
am the one who had to deliver it. But, at the same time, I am so glad
you didn't have to hear it alone, and I am so very thankful that you let
me in to even the most intimate and trying moments in your life.
I remember the first time I saw the inside of your office instead of
your home. Placing highly technical conference calls for you has always
been a pleasure of mine. Many people in the interpreting community would
argue that Video Interpreters don't see the same level of challenges as
a community interpreter does, I beg to differ. Thank you for filling me
in on all of the technical terms you would be using. Working together,
as a team, really made the call so much more efficient for both of us.
By the end I felt accomplished and proud that you had kept up with your
peers because of our teamwork. Another perfect example of equal access
and how VRS really helps you achieve that.
Caller, I know that there are times when I am less than stellar. As a
human I can't possibly be on my A-game all the time. I know you don't
know that my husband just lost his job or that my relative just passed
away. I know that it is not your fault that the previous five callers
were irritated as well. I know that we all have good days and bad days
and I am just grateful that you give me second chances and understand
that I am here to provide the very best service I possibly can for you.
You make my day, honestly. I love this job and I could not ask for
anything more than to provide you excellent quality customer service for
all of your calls.
I could go on for days. I spend 36 hours of my week in a cubicle
interpreting phone calls for you and other callers. Some are super happy
calls, some are super sad. Some calls are the best experiences of my
life and others are just another call. Some callers like to thank me for
my work, and others prefer to just hang up. Every call is important.
Every caller is important. I work for you. Thank you so much for helping
me every day to be a better interpreter and, more importantly, a better
person.
With so much thanks and love,
Manda-your VI
This
letter is to no one and everyone. I felt an urge today to write a thank
you note to my callers because I get to be a part of their lives on
even the most intimate of moments. I feel so blessed and grateful every
day to have the opportunity I have to provide a service to the deaf and
Hard of Hearing community. I am also so grateful that I was shown the
path so early on. Being an interpreter is really so valuable to me.
Also,
I am grateful to ZVRS for being the best employer I have ever had. To
some people it may just be a job, but to me it is a family. I care so
much about my colleagues and my consumers, both hearing and deaf.
Thanks for reading.
Much love,
Manda
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