Comments on: A Peso Saved is a Peso Earned

By: Dim Sum

Dim Sum — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 00:28:38 +0000

I think it’s just as bad to collect SSI as it is to peddle ASL cards. The only difference is one is more visible than the other.

The real empowerment is to get to work and advance the Deaf community. It’s also requires a community effort to help those people who need it. When’s the last time any convention for the Deaf ever addressed homelessness?

By: Meredith

Meredith — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:45:14 +0000

LSM is Mexican Sign Language. It is from the Spanish word for it which is “lenguaje de signos mexicano.” Hope that helps!

By: RLM

RLM — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 23:36:56 +0000

I was told often by the Union Staton security people about arresting several so-called deaf peddlers whose were Gally students. I knew three of the frequent deaf peddlers.

Welcome to the real world! One of the deaf guys teached another deaf “grassroot” guy how to beg like shaking the cup or bowl to get someone’s attention.

One deaf individual regularly begged in Dupont Circle area, especially the 17th Street. We talked pretty often. The guy was under the Deaf Reach’s care. I enjoyed his chats. He bought the malt beers and vegetables after done his beggings. That guy hold the sign _ “PLEASE HELP ME. I’M DEAF!”

The head of the DC’s GLBT police force caught the same deaf guy for selling the Vigara pills and gave him the warning not to do it again.

I kinda befriended this deaf guy which I knew him for few years beforehand. He is really an intelligent person, but messed up his own life with recreational drug and alcohol consumption. This guy said “How lucky I’m straight for not using any illegal drugs or drink alcohol on the street.

What is the “LSM”?

RLM

By: joseph rainmound

joseph rainmound — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 22:13:44 +0000

It’s funny how many Deaf people are surprised Deaf people suffer from poverty. I know many who would rather beg or sell cards than collect SSI. Misguided pride maybe? Of course unless someone knows English it will be impossible for them to work in America. There’s no real education programs available for Deaf immigrants and most of the new Deaf population in America is an immigrant population.

I think it’s cool he was selling LSM cards. Be nice to see more Deaf people learn other signed languages.

By: Adam Stone

Adam Stone — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 18:50:09 +0000

Wow, this is the first I’ve ever heard of a deaf student trying to peddle. Most of the time, it’s homeless/semi-homeless deaf people working at airports or train stations.

But an actual student? Gosh.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:49:50 +0000

I’ve only ever been offered a deaf peddler’s card once. I was eating in Sbarro’s in Union Station waiting to take a train, and someone came up and held out the cards silently. I signed to him, “why are you offering this to me?” He signed back, “I’m a student at Gallaudet, I’m trying to make a little extra money for books.” I was rather surprised; I had not yet read the book Deaf Peddler at that time and to be honest I was rather surprised somebody would try to pull something like that in Washington DC, the Land of Deaf Empowerment.

Thanks for sharing your story, Juanita.