In this vlog, I decided to bring up a subject of something that occurred at a wedding ceremony a few weeks ago. It was a deaf couple's wedding; the bride is a good friend of mine. I've known her for many years. She is Polish and most of the family members at the wedding were Polish and many were born in Poland. In my city, they have a strong Polish community and many belong to the Roman Catholic Church.
This was my first wedding ceremony to attend where two deaf couples were getting married. I've been to several wedding ceremonies but they were all hearing. Regardless, it was a great experience and a lot of fun. A lot of deaf people attended the wedding ceremony and the reception.
The priest was Polish; he spoke in both Polish and English. The ASL interpreter was only able to interpret the spoken words that were in English. As much as I hate to say it, the priest was probably in his late 70s, maybe 80s. Now here's the real story.
I was somewhere taken back by what the priest brought up during the ceremony. Thankfully, I'm a very understanding person and I have a tendency to read people very well. The priest's intentions were obviously good and he was only trying to give the deaf people some hope. However, it's the timing that I felt wasn't appropriate.
He brought up the subject of cochlear implants.
Yes, believe it or not. He actually did bring it up during the ceremony. What I was surprised was to see the reactions from the deaf attendees. They weren't offended or angry. They looked perplexed and mumbled through the ceremony. It's nothing we haven't heard before but I certainly did not expect it at a wedding ceremony.
I haven't spoken to my friend about it, but I am pretty certain she and her husband were taken back but decided to brush it off and go on with the ceremony. It was for the best. If I was to get married, I would make sure to remind the priest to not bring up cochlear implants or subject focused on our deafness. It's not a subject I want to listen to on a day when I want to celebrate my love for a woman by marrying her.
Just my two cents.
If you have an opinion to share, feel free to share it by leaving a comment.
Good well-balanced perspective of what happened so I guess I say, "Ditto to your two cents."
ReplyDeleteYeah, your two cents is always valuable to me. I am waiting for the vlog,hope it comes through pretty soon!
ReplyDeleteLantana
Okay, the vlog finally came through. It was pretty fast,more than most of them, I wonder why? It was great to see you smile! You do not do that enough.
ReplyDeleteI agree, strange subject to bring up at a wedding ceremony. Perhaps this priest was uncomfortable preaching a "deaf" sermon and asked for some help and wound up with the CI material through no fault of his own?
I have always enjoyed the Polish people that I knew, very laid back and easy to get along with. 'Nice folks!
Lantana
I agree that it was unusual. I imagine that more than not did
ReplyDeleteattendées find the subject rather amusing than awkward and take it
with dignity.
Serious? ha ha ha very funny wedding cermony, really unusual wedding.. I never see anything like that.... I wouldnt feel comfortable if the priest bring it up for my wedding...
ReplyDeleteDeafDixie
Really? True biz? My gosh!
ReplyDeleteIts a time of celebration, a time of joining together happy couples, and to mention about something that is off the point, unless they're telling a story along the way, then it's okay. But telling the couple to have this or that in that case. Nah. Its not good taste. Adios!
ouch! I am sure the priest only meant well and offered some hope...
ReplyDeletebut no, that was totally inappropriate. poor couple.
It is funny in a perverse way. Maybe some day they can laugh about it. : /
Interesting. I wonder if the same would have happened if a signing priest/minister/whatever had been leading the wedding.
ReplyDeleteUgh! Good exp. for u anyway to attend a deaf wedding at last. It's interesting how you signed for Polish. I'm partly that.
ReplyDeleteDrmzz,
ReplyDeleteThat's not how I normally sign the word, Polish. I used to do it by using the "A" handshape with the thumb a little further back, then flip through the tip of my nose a couple times with the thumb.
It takes time to get used to it because it turn out that more people my age are familiar with the sign I used in the vlog than the one I use.
no I have to say I dont want that at my wedding next year, the priest to bring up a trivial issue, or not so trivial to some people, but its certainly not an issue to be brought up in a wedding!!! thats very unusual :) I love seeing your Vlogs, ASL is actually quiet like Irish Sign Language, but some of the finger spelling is different :) I enjoy watching the differences though :) thank you fo rhte oppertunity :)
ReplyDelete