Hey, it’s me. Um… why didn’t you answer your phone? Ha, just kidding. My nose is a little stuffed today, something in the air, I guess. Don’t worry, I’m taking care of myself. I’ve got my herbal tea in a mug with a cat on it, funny enough, it looks just like my cat, MeiLi and I’ve got my Kleenex right next to me, and yes, I took my meds. So I’m good, guys. I’m good. You’ve probably already guessed that I read lips all the time. We Deaf people are super visual, so nonverbal cues play a huge role in communication, things like facial expressions, body language, eye movements, and of course, lip reading. That’s why I always ask people to be mindful of what’s on their face. Sunglasses, chewing gum, big beards… all those little things can block context and make lipreading harder. I’m not saying shave your beard, but it definitely takes me a bit longer to adjust when someone has one. And eye contact, oh man, that’s another big one. I actually have a story about this one. So, my daughter made a new friend in the neighborhood. Whenever we go on walks, her friend would sometimes talk, but she wasn’t making eye contact with me, so I assumed she was talking to the group in general. Later, my daughter told me, “Mom, my friend was talking to you.” I was like, “Oh! I didn’t know.” Turns out, she was asking if they could have a play date. Long story short, I wanted to meet her mother first, and as it turned out, her mother is blind. Oh, no wonder she doesn’t make eye contact! It was such a normal thing for her because her mother doesn’t really make eye contact. So that was interesting. Here’s another one you might not think of: missing teeth. Yep. Especially when my daughter was five or six and lost a bunch all at once. Even with my hearing aids in, I had such a hard time understanding her until they grew back. Missing teeth, you guys, just another thing that makes lipreading a little extra challenging. On a side note, happy September, everyone! Is it getting chilly where you live yet? Are the leaves red yet? Every September, I would bake something “fall-y,” like chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, and I would watch my annual witchy movie: Practical Magic. Now, some people would call it a Halloween movie, but for me, it’s a September tradition. Something cozy to look forward to when the weather isn't too hot anymore, but it's not quite cold yet... It's just witchy. In a way, it’s like the witch is “cursing” you with the weather you wish you had but didn’t get. Anyway, I think September is the perfect month for that. So if you’re in the mood, watch it with me on Hulu. Light a candle, grab a snack, pumpkin if you like, or caramel apples if you don’t. Thanks for hanging out with me today. Have a witchy week, and may the witch un-curse you from the weather you don’t want. Talk to you later. Bye! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelipreader.substack.com
