Joyce Hammelswang - North Bundaberg
Joyce Hammelswang from North Bundaberg
I am a volunteer working with hearing-impaired people at Better Hearing Australia. Although I'm not deaf, I began learning Signed English and then joined lip-reading classes. In 2004, I became a teacher in speech reading for hearing-impaired people.
I admire hearing-impaired people for their determination to learn this difficult language. They amaze me with their ability and perseverance to practise lip reading.
Their intensity in reading unvoiced words and understanding sentences is tireless. I read from news items and local events and try to keep the classes casual and fun. I use clue words and body language to help with speech reading.
To me it is not work — it's a privilege to be with them.
We talk about people, places and stories of times gone by and share a joke or two. Their sense of humour and the ideas they contribute make me feel very proud to know them. When I see them smile, I feel I have helped them to forget their problems with hearing impairment just for a day.
We also discuss topics associated with hearing impairment such as tinnitus, hearing aids, health issues, assistive listening devices and where they can get help. By talking with each other they find they are not alone with their problems.
I have come in contact with many types of disabilities since working at Better Hearing Australia. I appreciate the hard work and commitment carers and volunteers put into helping people with a disability. To me it is not work — it's a privilege to be with them.