[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.04,0:00:18.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hello. My name is Erin McCluskey. \NThis is a Wee BSL Blethers video on role models.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.69,0:00:21.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You will see I have somebody with me. \NCould you introduce yourself please?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.89,0:00:27.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My name is Margaret McLean.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.50,0:00:28.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Marvellous! Do you have a sign name, Margaret?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.91,0:00:30.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just MML.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.41,0:00:35.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’ll call you this sign name today if \Nthat’s alright? Okay. So I am going to
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.45,0:00:39.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,interview Margaret about her childhood. \NFind out what it was like for her growing up,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.04,0:00:41.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,getting her first job and so on. \NI’m really looking forward to finding out more.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.58,0:00:44.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Margaret, firstly, can I ask what it \Nwas like for you growing up?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.23,0:00:48.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well I come from a Deaf family so BSL \Nwas used every day at home.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.23,0:00:51.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I only have a ran into issues outside \Nof home, with hearing people.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.31,0:00:52.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It did make me a bit reluctant to mix.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.85,0:00:55.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So growing up things were pretty easy \Nand comfortable in terms of accessible
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.06,0:00:56.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,communication, at home at least?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.04,0:01:00.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Easy, yes. Everybody signed every day \Nwithin my family so there were no issues at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.04,0:01:02.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So your family were all Deaf then?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.89,0:01:03.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.57,0:01:05.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Parents? Your siblings?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.63,0:01:08.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes, all Deaf.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.10,0:01:10.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And were you all close?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.41,0:01:15.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes, we were a close family I would \Nsay, because of BSL. I was closest to
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.05,0:01:18.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my father because he would tell me \Na lot of stuff. I think he was my
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.70,0:01:21.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,role model growing up.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.54,0:01:24.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How lovely. Your dad was your role model.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.78,0:01:25.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.56,0:01:27.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He encouraged and supported you growing up?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.43,0:01:28.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.24,0:01:31.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Marvellous. And that’s a perfect link into \Nwhat I want to ask you about next
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.35,0:01:35.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I want to talk about school. \NWhen you first went to school, what was it like?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.90,0:01:40.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I first went to a local school. One I could\Nwalk to from home. I think it was only about
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.91,0:01:45.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,five minutes away. My parents wanted \Nme to go there so I was nearby.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.16,0:01:47.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They did not want to send me away \Nto boarding school.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.80,0:01:52.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Unfortunately, the focus was very much \Non speaking and listening so my parents
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.80,0:01:56.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,eventually decided to send me to a \Nschool in Glasgow where they used sign language.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.80,0:02:00.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Makes sense. So your parents decided \Nto remove you from that local school
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.91,0:02:03.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it did not suit you and they \Nhad to send you away.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.06,0:02:04.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Were you happy at your school in Glasgow?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.35,0:02:09.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was okay. They used sign language \Nthere, but the teachers couldn’t really
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.73,0:02:13.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sign very well. They would speak and \Nthrow in a few signs here in there, but not many.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.30,0:02:17.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And at that time I guess sign language was \Nvery much seen as undesirable, am I right?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.36,0:02:20.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes. It was a long time ago now and there \Nwere very old-fashioned views.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.04,0:02:21.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was no real awareness of the \Nlanguage or its importance.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.85,0:02:23.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think things are very different now of course.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.59,0:02:24.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.54,0:02:27.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, thinking about school, what was your \Nfavourite topic and what did
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.36,0:02:28.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you really hate learning about?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.93,0:02:35.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I really loved arithmetic. Nobody calls it \Nthat anymore. It’s become maths hasn’t it.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.21,0:02:40.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we used to call it arithmetic.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.10,0:02:43.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh really! So you were good \Nat that and enjoyed it?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.66,0:02:51.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes. I loved arithmetic. I was okay at \NEnglish. The subject I really hated was sewing.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.40,0:02:52.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Really! Why?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.32,0:02:56.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes! I always used to mess it up and \Nget it wrong. I found it really frustrating.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.32,0:02:57.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe you lacked \Nconfidence in that subject.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.79,0:02:58.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think you’re right.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.95,0:03:02.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you progressed through your schooling \Nand eventually left school. Did you have any
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.95,0:03:06.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,support to help you find a job. \NDid you go to college or university?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.24,0:03:10.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was nothing really back then.\NI do remember meeting with the
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.60,0:03:15.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Careers Advisor and telling them \NI wanted to become a Teacher of the Deaf.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.71,0:03:22.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They told me I could not do that because \NI was Deaf myself. What a discriminatory attitude!
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.54,0:03:26.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I decided to ask the social worker \Nabout it and told them the same thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.44,0:03:30.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I wanted to become a Teacher of \Nthe Deaf. They also told me that I could
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.44,0:03:33.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not do that job and suggested that \NI become a machinist. I refused and they
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.66,0:03:35.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,said I would have to go \Nto the DHSS in that case.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.44,0:03:36.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What is the DHSS?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.50,0:03:38.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s what’s known as the DWP these days.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.36,0:03:39.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh I see.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.09,0:03:43.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Similar to the job centre now. So I went \Nalong, and they suggested I try for office
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.60,0:03:48.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,work, which sounded okay, but it meant \NI had to go to college. They helped me fill
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.93,0:03:51.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the application forms and I sent \Nthem off. I soon heard that I’d been
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.30,0:03:54.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,offered a place which was great. \NI went to college to learn how to be a secretary,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.73,0:03:57.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I found it really difficult \Nbecause I did not have an interpreter.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.99,0:03:59.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How did you get on?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.52,0:04:03.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I managed the best I could. I kept asking \Nthe lady sat next to me what we were
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.52,0:04:05.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,supposed to be doing. I think she \Nfound it a bit frustrating.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.35,0:04:07.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She was fed up that I was taking up \Nher time. I tried my best though and
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.53,0:04:09.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I did get through the course and \Nluckily, straight out to work.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.64,0:04:12.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you got your certificate? Did you \Ngo off and work in an office then?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.78,0:04:15.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes that’s right. The course was a year \Nand then after that I got a job in an office.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.64,0:04:18.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was there for seven years, \Nthen I left to start a family.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.40,0:04:23.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you became pregnant, you left \Nyour job and focused on raising your family.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did you take on any other work after that?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I did a few little jobs, but nothing \Ninteresting until I saw an advert for a
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,BSL role model essentially. At that time, \Nthe role was known as an auxiliary.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s changed now. I was not successful \Nthe first time I applied for one of these roles.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It wasn’t until my third attempt \Nthat I finally got a job.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do you know why you were unsuccessful \Nthe first two times you tried?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don’t know. I think it was because the \Norganisation at that time was maybe not
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,aware of what BSL was and were not \Nexpecting a Deaf person to apply for the role.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The families they wanted someone to work \Nwith were hearing, so perhaps they assumed
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it would be better to have a hearing person\Nin post. I don’t know that for sure though.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you were finally successful on your \Nthird attempt. What did your work as a
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,BSL advocate involved?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well really, I just helped the parents. \NI taught them sign language.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I supported nursery staff and primary \Nschool staff and even secondary
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,school staff too, advising them how \Nto support their Deaf students.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you must have had to travel \Naround a lot for your job?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes, I travelled all over the place. \NI had a lot of work to do.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And did you teach sign language \Nas part of your role?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I did, yes.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did you cover Deaf identity, \Nculture and so on as well?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes, I did, but my role was really more \Nfocused around supporting the young person.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example, I would read a book with \Nthem and explain the meaning of particular
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,words to try and increase their sign \Nvocabulary. I would do the same for numbers.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sounds like a great job. Okay, let’s move\Non a little to our connection.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I was little, you taught me\NBSL didn’t you Margaret?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I did.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember Margaret working with me. \NShe was my role model.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She gave me the most wonderful gift, \Nthe gift of British Sign Language.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I feel incredibly lucky to have had the \Nopportunity to learn BSL from Margaret.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Without her, I don’t know what my life \Nwould be like now. I don’t think I would
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,be where I am now. It didn’t just stop \Nwith me though. I have been able to share
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this beautiful language with my parents too. \NThis makes our family connections so much easier.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Margaret, you really are my role model. \NWhen I was little, you used to come out
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to my nursery. I still have some photos from \Nthat time which I’d love to share with our viewers:
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How sweet! Would you like to share any \Nmemories of that time, Margaret?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don’t really remember anything much \Nbecause I was so very young, but maybe you can.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes, I can remember very clearly. \NI remember I started working with you
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you were about 1 ½. When I first \Narrived, you ran off and hid under the table.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You did this every single time I visited, \Nfor weeks, and I visited twice a week.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Your mum would try to encourage you to \Ncome out and finally you did, and we
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,started to form a bond. \NAfter that, things got better.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think I was probably just really thrown \Nbecause you were using sign language and
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,although my parents signed a little, \Nit was the first time I had met anybody
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who was fluent in BSL. I just panicked. \NOnce I realised you were okay, things improved,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I learned so much from you.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think because you had never seen a \NDeaf person before it was a bit of a shock.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember when you were about three, \Nyou asked me why I was different.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember having to explain to you that \Nyou and I were the same, that we were both
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Deaf and that we were different from \Nyour parents. I could see this really puzzled you.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I explained that your mum and dad \Nwere learning to sign so they could help
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,help you and that’s what happened \Nnow you’re all grown up.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was young, about four I think, when \NI realised I was different from my parents.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,3 ½, four, yes, about that age. \NVery young. I remember that conversation.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You used to come to my house twice a \Nweek to work with me, teach me
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sign language and so on.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That’s right, yes. Your Teacher of the Deaf \Nsed to give me things for you to work on
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you were never interested. \NYou were very focused on BSL and
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just wanted to sign with me. \NYou were hungry to learn more signs.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You were not interested in worksheets!
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’m still like that now. I love nothing more \Nthan a long conversation in BSL!
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like I said, I don’t really remember much \Nrom that time, but I do remember a few things.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember one day you came to my house, \Nand we went out into the garden.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You taught me the signs for things in \Nthe garden like STONE and LEAF and so on,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do you remember that?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I do, yes! It was a lovely sunny day. \NWe usually stayed in the house
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I wanted to go outside so I asked your \Nmum if it was okay and she was really happy
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for us to go out into the garden. \NYou were so curious. You wanted to know
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,everything about everything! What is this? \NWhat is that? What is inside it? Why?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So many questions!
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why? Why? Why? Right! \NMy favourite question. Wow.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Absolutely. You always would ask why.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, you used to come to our house \Ntwice a week and you also used to visit
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my nursery setting, I think.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me think. Yes, right, I did go to your \Nnursery. I’ll never forget staff at your nursery
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,saying once that they had never seen you cry, \Nbut your home was only just across the
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,road and you knew it was there so\Nyou felt safe. They never thought of that.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes, it was really close by.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Honestly!
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes, I was the model child. You came \Nto my nursery to help me to be more included.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember you doing group work.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes. We did that sometimes. Sometimes \Nthe other children did not want to.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One or two of the kids were keen to \Nlearn sign language but it was quite difficult.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The staff were very good. \NI have to say they were lovely.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Lovely. You came with me \Nto primary school too.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes, I did. I remember when you first \Nstarted at one primary school,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they asked me to come in and work \Nwith the class to help you settle,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alongside the teacher. I used to come in \Ntwice a week. After a while you started
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,saying to me that I was using the wrong \Nsigns for things, because your teacher
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had told you something different. \NI asked you to please just follow what I told
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you as I was Deaf like you and had \Nused sign language my whole life.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Your teacher had not. At that time there \Nwas very little BSL awareness the teacher
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,thought they could just make it up \Nand it would be fine.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was a lot of that kind of attitude.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You and I have had a relationship since \NI was about one and a half.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You taught me sign language that\Nwhole time. I remember starting
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,primary at the age of about six and \Nsome of the kids telling me that my signs
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were wrong. I remember asking you \Nabout it and you told me to ignore them.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was nothing wrong with the \Nway we signed and if they signed things
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,differently then perhaps they were \Nfrom a different region or a different country.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You explained that things are signed \Ndifferently in different places and that’s fine.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was surprised to learn that, \Nbut of course it’s true. I remember you
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,explaining that to me.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes. Different signs in different regions, \Nand that’s something parents may not
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have been aware of. But we had that \Nbond, and I know that your mum signed
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as well and that was important.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Definitely! It has been so lovely to talk \Nto you Margaret. I have one final question, if I may.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do you have any tips or advice for any \NDeaf young people out there who might
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,be watching?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would say to any Deaf young person, \Ndon’t let anyone tell you what you can or
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can’t do. If you want to do something, \Ngo for it. If you feel passionately about BSL,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we need more Deaf people to work \Nas assistants for Deaf children,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to encourage them to keep signing forever.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If the opportunity is out there, grab it!
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Absolutely.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Brilliant! Thank you so much for talking \Nto me. I’ve really enjoyed our chat. Goodbye.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Goodbye.