La Sordera

Today I had a conversation with the school social worker about common causes of hearing loss in this country. She had a lot to say about it, and I was happy to serve as a captive audience (because sometimes I get the feeling that she finds having an intern awkward and even burdensome...but that´s probably my paranoia talking).

The picture she painted was not very uplifting. She cited rubella and other infections as the most common medical causes, along with antibiotics given to treat bronchitis and (get this) ear infections. Complementary to medical problems were social problems. Most Guatemalans live in poverty, and at least half of the students at the school live in what is considered extreme poverty. They have no means to obtain medical care, and live in squalor.

Other families may have economic access to medical care but their faith instructs them to seek help only through faith, not through medicine. Most Guatemalans are Catholic or Evangelical, though there are a growing number of Jehovah´s Witnesses. And on the other side of the spectrum from faith, there is ignorance. ID explained disparagingly that most parents have no health education or parenting skills education, and often do not notice signs of hearing loss or diseases that lead to hearing loss in their children.

Perhaps ID has been exposed to this sadness too long, for she is really quite critical of parental behaviors. She noted their consumer mentality when it came to money management and finds some parents take her constant clothing and school supply donations for granted.

This discussion stood in stark contrast to IDs wonderfully warm conduct and positive regard for parents who have come to the school to see her. She is a truly gifted social worker and people-person with a lot of wisdom. I suppose every social worker gets jaded by experience eventually; the key is to try not to let it affect our work.