The ‘Helen Keller Date’

This weekend I went on a blind date with a deaf girl.  I jokingly call it my ‘Helen Keller Date’.  A friend from one of my classes asked me if it would be ok if he set me up on a blind date for the institute dance this weekend.  It was a unique institute dance where a date was required.  I thought it would be a worthwhile adventure and provide a blog-worthy story, so I consented.  Only after giving him the ‘OK’ did he tell me that my date was hearing impaired.  I spent the next week wondering what the heck I was going to be doing on this date.  I didn’t know if it was going to be a long 5 hour game of Charades, if we would have an interpreter or if she was just a master at reading lips.  I tried putting myself in her shoes to think of how I could help her be comfortable and enjoy herself.  Let me just say that I have limited experience with the deaf culture, so it was fairly difficult to see the world through her eyes (or hear it through her ears).  I wondered how stupid I would look to her when she saw me dance like a skinny white Mormon boy to music she could only feel… not hear.  I wondered how we were supposed to talk at dinner with our mouths full and our hands occupied.  I worried about alot of things.

To my surprise my ‘Helen Keller Date’ was quite possibly the most unique and fun date that I’ve been on in quite some time.  It started off on an awkward foot with a timid greeting and prolonged silence, but after pleasantries were exchanged (and I realized that she could read lips very well and had some hearing) it went uphill.  We had a great dinner at a nice Thai restaurant, went to a music store to check out some CD’s and then headed over to the dance.  This is where the real shock hit me.  My deaf date (Jae) was a better dancer than I was!  She put me to shame.   Apparently she has placed in ballroom dance competitions and has danced for quite a few years.  She also plays the guitar and the piano (probably better than I do as well) and has taken voice lessons.  She wants to record an album one day.  In a way, it was a sad day for me.  Even people who can’t hear have better rhythm than I do. 

This experience with Jae this weekend has opened my eyes and heart to a culture that has otherwise been invisible to me.  I have a new respect for people who can and DO overcome such physical, mental and emotional trials as Jae has faced in her life.  Not only has she overcome her weaknesses but she has made them her strengths.  In a way I am jealous.  Part of me wishes that I had to work at something that I loved to achieve that which I wanted in the same manner that Jae does.  Here’s to fulfilling your dreams.

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