Interview
Hyun Ji's interviw
HyunWook
Our first interviewee was Hyun-Wook, a senior student majoring business in SNU.
We have talked mostly about the disability he has, and the things he has experienced in his school life-to be specific, the experiences related to the disability.
We have talked mostly about the disability he has, and the things he has experienced in his school life-to be specific, the experiences related to the disability.
The disability he has: What, When, How
He has a hearing disability. He can't hear any sound smaller than 90-100 decibel.
It is quite serious in that the sound when the fight takes off the ground is about 110 decibel.
Although he was born with the disability, he began to really 'admit' that he has a disability not until he was 5 years old. At that time, he thought of his situation negatively.
But when he realized that the situation could not be changed, he decided to change his mind that it can also be positive enough.
However, he said to me that the other people he had met who got the disability 'in the course of the lifetime' seemed to have more difficult times in acknowledging their situations, because whenever they were faced with the difficulty because of the disabilities, they missed the time before they got the disabilities.
How to communicate with the disability he has
He can hear the voices with the hearing aid names 'Cochlear implant(보청기)'
He has used that device since 2006 when he entered the middle school, and from that time he could follow the school work well so got the high scores in the exames.
Even though he could not hear perfectly even with the aid, he has practiced to interpret the shae of the lipes of the people who are talking with hims.(구화)
It is quite serious in that the sound when the fight takes off the ground is about 110 decibel.
Although he was born with the disability, he began to really 'admit' that he has a disability not until he was 5 years old. At that time, he thought of his situation negatively.
But when he realized that the situation could not be changed, he decided to change his mind that it can also be positive enough.
However, he said to me that the other people he had met who got the disability 'in the course of the lifetime' seemed to have more difficult times in acknowledging their situations, because whenever they were faced with the difficulty because of the disabilities, they missed the time before they got the disabilities.
How to communicate with the disability he has
He can hear the voices with the hearing aid names 'Cochlear implant(보청기)'
He has used that device since 2006 when he entered the middle school, and from that time he could follow the school work well so got the high scores in the exames.
Even though he could not hear perfectly even with the aid, he has practiced to interpret the shae of the lipes of the people who are talking with hims.(구화)
The negative/positive experiences he had in SNU compared to other places, times.
There are some differences from the people in SNU compared to the students in the middle and high schools he had attented before SNU.
The difference in a positive way is that they are really thoughtful and consider his physical difference with others very much.
For example, in the (대학국어) class when he was freshman, his classmates were open to admit the exception for him to be given the speech time for 20 minutes while the original time was 10 minutes. And they even responded to the teacher's suggestion as those kind of different treatments lead to the 'real equality'.
However, when he was a high school student, the classmates were really sensitive to the different treatment only for him especially in scoring because it was directly related to the issuce of entrancing good universities. So he could not get the needed exceptions in English Listening tests.
However, the difference in a negative way also exists. The really thoughtful treatments were also uncomfortable for Hyun-Wook. In the class mentioned above, his teammates 'excessively' consider his disability so that he was almost totally excluded from any jobs the team had to do including the recording and transcribing which has had continously insisted that he could also do.
He said that he felt his intend was completely 'ignored' and disregarded.
Other stereotypes he has experienced in SNU
He also said that there exists the stereotype in a opposite way of the case above. Sometimes he met people who regarded him so great and appraised his achievements of getting into SNU so highly, which was also uncomfortable to him.
He said he just liked to study, studied hard as much as normal SNU students did, and there were no dramatic challenges as other people generally expect.
He said he just liked to study, studied hard as much as normal SNU students did, and there were no dramatic challenges as other people generally expect.
Finally, he said there are some other stereotypes that people with the hearing disability may be knowledgeable about the sign language(수화) while he doesn't know anything about it.
He said the trend is changed into interpreting the shapes of people's lipes(구화) because for successful communication, it is also important for the other people to know the language and most people are not knowledgable with the sign language.
Also, he said one of the stereotypes is that people with hearing disability disreagard other people because they sometimes could not hear voices calling him if people who called are behind him. And also, they could miss some of the diverse opinions in the discussions. He thinks this stereotype is different with other stereotypes because it is inevitable.
Hak Hyeon's Interview
Tae-U
I interviewed my SNU friend, Tae-U, who uses automatic wheelchair to move. He is majoring in psychology, same as me but senior. We talked about him and his disability, his life with disability in SNU, and stereotypes he had experienced. And I added my own question I had have.
Who Tae-U is
He was in a wheelchair, so at first I thought he had a disability with legs. But he said to me that he was born with a muscle weakening. So he also couldn’t move other parts of body well. When he was 5 years old, he recognized his difference from others because he couldn’t play soccer with friends. But he did not fall in frustration. Only what he was upset with was the fact that he couldn’t hang out with his friends. Even now, his that mind has not changed.
After entering in SNU he was to live in SNU. This university provides some kind of complex housing for family of university member such as professors and graduate students. But this housing is open to disabled students also. Thanks to this, he can go to classes in time by his automatic wheelchair, which run at 20km/h maximum.
Life with disability in SNU
“Living in SNU as a disabled is quite a nice thing.” Tae-U said. In his view, environments of SNU is very disabled-friendly compared to any other places he remembered. It has a lot of facilities and welfare program for the disabled like him. And also, peer students are big kind and nice to them. Just one thing he could say what he wanted is the new library called ‘Gwan-Jeong’ has to be more sensitive. There, especially at market place, are no sloops at the entrances of any markets. He said he wants it to be changed.
A stereotype he had experienced in SNU
As he said before, he could hardly remember any experiences of being insulted or discriminated. It was quite impressive. I asked really there had not been any memories, and he answered that at least superficially, there had not been any special.
More focusing on stereotype, not discrimination, as in the video we saw at the class time, he mentioned the stereotype about sexual things. He has a girlfriend, and they has met for three years. He said to me that when they had decided to go out with each other, she first had worried about sexual things. But it couldn’t matter! Her worry disappeared as if by magic. He thought that this stereotype is almost wrong.
More focusing on stereotype, not discrimination, as in the video we saw at the class time, he mentioned the stereotype about sexual things. He has a girlfriend, and they has met for three years. He said to me that when they had decided to go out with each other, she first had worried about sexual things. But it couldn’t matter! Her worry disappeared as if by magic. He thought that this stereotype is almost wrong.
How does we act?
Finally, I added my own question that I had been looking forward to being answered. I asked him how I act when I meet a disabled person in trouble. Do I help him/her? Or Do I wait until he/she calls for a help? He told me that in that situation I should think a disabled person as if he/she is not disabled. If I am a helping and outgoing man, I shall help. On the other hand, if I was not, I shall not. He said to me that don't be worry too much. Yes. He is right. We should treat the disabled people like others. If we apply the special action to them, it becomes kind of hidden bias(This last part is my own opinion from hearing).
Dongju's interview
Yoon A Kim
My teammate Hyun-ji introduced me one of
her friend she met in club Turntoable, Yoon A Kim. So I scheduled interview in
10/28 and went to the SNU Business School to conduct interview. Below is the brief
synopsis of the interview.
Her life before SNU
Yoon
A originally lived in Cheon-an, Chung-chung. She was a brilliant and
intelligent child, so her parents were very devoted to her education. However,
she heard devastating news at age of 11. Doctor told her that she had a brain
tumor and she had to go through surgery right away. After the surgery, she
noticed that her lower body and part of her upper body was paralyzed. She and
her family were literally ‘devastated’ when they heard the news, and that
despair was around her family quite a long time.
Although
she could not use her lower body, she still could use her right hand, so she
did not have major trouble doing her studies. She studied very hard and went to
Chungnam Foreign High school, which is highly competitive high school in the
region. She also exceled in her school and succeeded to get accepted in SNU.
Her life now
She
is living in family dormitory which is just under the regular dormitory. It’s
near business school, so she does not go through serious difficulty in campus.
There is also shuttle bus for disabled students, so she could go anywhere she
want if it is inside campus. But it gets harder when it comes to using
transportation outside campus. There is cab for disabled people provided by
city, but she has to wait for 10~ 60 minutes for it.
Thoughts about disabled
She
said that she becoming disabled made her to think more about disabled people in
Korea. She thought that there are two ways to enhance circumstance for disabled
people. First is that we should make the direct channel to administration or
office so that they could hear the voices of disabled. She said that the fact
that there is way to enhance the situation for disabled people is very
assuring. Second is that attitude that disabled people should change. She said
members of SNU community tends to be well educated so they do know what to do
and what not to do. However, people she met in everyday lives often do not act
that way. So she hopes people would think over before saying something to
disabled people.
Stereotypes?
She
believes there is no particular widespread stereotypes about physically
disabled people, but there still is narrower stereotypes. One is that people
think all disabled people would actively need help. She said she appreciates their
help but it is better when the help is given when she asks. Also, because of
this stereotype, there is view that consider disabled people as unthankful people
while they just didn’t need help. Other stereotype is that people believe
disabled people’s personality would be all similar. She said she is a bit shy
and introverted, but there is other disabled people who is very outgoing and
energetic.
After I read your interviews, it made me surprise that Hyun-wook who has hearing disability didn’t know how to do sign language. I thought that all the people would be able to do sign language and it found to be my single story toward them. And, what made me surprise also was that he tried to understand normal people. Rather than wishing other people to understand his disability, he learned how to interpret the shapes of people’s lips. I can’t imagine just seeing people’s lips and understanding what they are saying. It must have required incredible effort for him to learn how to interpret other people’s lips. In that point, I think that he deserves to be respected.
답글삭제Thank you sharing wonderful interviews. When I read Hyunwook's story, I could see that Hyunwook's positive mind might be the reason to change his life completely, and I wondered what makes him 'realize the situation' specifically. It was absolutely astonishing that the trend was changing from the sign language into interpreting the shapes of lips for successful communication. I assumed that it would be very challenging to learn, which might be one of my hidden bias.
답글삭제When it comes to the interviewee, Tae-U, it reminds me of 'the 30 days', the video we watched at the early semester. In my opinion, the stereotype about disabled people’s sexual life would be strong in our society. It might be natural for him to concern about it at the early stage of relationship. I can’t quite figure out how he showed such a ‘magic’, but I thought that he is the one who can help eliminating such stereotypes related to their sexual life.
The interviews you guys conducted were interesting. I am joining the club called Golbaengi and in our club we once talked about the lack of facilities or signs that show discrimination against the disabled. There were a lot such as the bumps of doors of stores or lack of slope in certain buildings. Therefore, to me, the fact that your interviewees satisfy with the environment of the disabled makes me sad as it means that the environment outside of the university is even worse. As the interviewee of Donju mentioned, we need to stand out for the mobility right of the disabled.
답글삭제From these interesting interviews, there were few things that caught my interest.
답글삭제First of all, I was interested in the term '구화'. I remember seeing it in a Mission Impossible movie, but didn't know that it was a technique people with hearing disabilities actually use. I am very curious about how it works, because if you can't hear at all, there might be complications identifying some sounds. I feel very respectful for people who have this technique.
Second, I was interested in facilities for the disabled in SNU. As an Architecture Engineering major, I've seen many seniors and professors in our major debating and protesting when 'Gwanjeong Library' was first built because at first they didn't make any facilities for minor groups like people with disabilities and even didn't make enough room for janitors., when there were too much areas in the library that were unused. After I heard the protests, I've started to pay closer attention to facilities made for the disabled wherever I go, for example I've noticed that the school recently installed ramps for Lotteria etc. I still notice many places where people with disabilities will have difficulties, and I think giving more care is what architects and engineers must do.
I've seen many disabled students on their wheelchairs, even a foreigner who looked like an exchange student in the campus. Whenever I saw them, I was very curious if it's easy for them to move from one building to another, because as you know, the campus is very hilly. It's somewhat surprising that one of the interviewees, Tae-U, mentioned that SNU campus is disabled-friendly. I've never thought in that way, but it's pleasing to hear that.
답글삭제When I imagined of the disabled in the campus, I just thought of those in their wheelchair, but from the interview of Hyun Wook, I realized that there might be many disabled people whose disabilities are not exposed to others. Since you have contacted the student club 'Turntoable', I am very curious if you could have seen anyone blind or cannot talk at all.
Even though you didn't ask about their future dream or career, I wonder in what field they want to work later. Disability is still an obstacle which cannot be neglected in this society. I want to get answers about this question later in the class.
I think these interviews shows the bright side of the Disabled student in SNU. I have little bit disabled brother, so in school it was always my role to protect other disabled classmate in my school. In middle school, I became friend with autistic friend. I brought him home almost everyday, and helped him whenever he needs any help. Also, when friend's got accident, and broke his arms or legs, I always helped him for the reason I must be a well-known for disabled student. It was partly true, but I have also same dillema like Hak Hyeon's. Do I have to ask before I help them? Actually the environment in middle school or high school isn't that convenient for disabled students. School dormitory had no elevator or slope way for wheel chair. Also, many friends think affirmative action for disabled as priority. So, when I saw disabled friends, usually they're in quite difficult situation. But, they sometimes do not need any help because, they think our help as pity, or ignorance. In that case, when they became friend of me, it is not that problem, but, in the case of 'first-met' disabled, there might be dilema. I think our school's environment for disabled is quite comfortable. The facilities are well equiped, and student's awareness is high. If we saw in the well organized environment like our school, I think we should watch them first, and have to ask for need. Thanks for your interviewes.
답글삭제I didn't expect to see one of my friends' name here, Hyun-Wook. He belongs to the same group in my college and I also didn't think that he is disabled. I knew he is disabled when I first met him, but after spending much time with him, I totally forgot that he has a hearing problem. As you can see from my comment, he has good communication skills and makes friends easily just as his disability doesn't bother him. There were a few things I couldn't ask him, because I thought it may hurt his feeling. Thanks to your interview, now I get to know more about him. I really appreciate that.
답글삭제As others said, it would be very hard for Yoon A Kim, who became disabled after the surgery, because she suddenly lost her mobility. I'm a little bit afraid, frankly speaking, because I may lose my control of body one day. She seems she overcame the despair and I respect her overcoming despair. I will cheer for them all.
These interviews are very interesting. Particularly I was surprised to meet Hyun Wook here. I took one business school class with him this semester. Even I saw him to presentation in front of us. Of course his pronunciation somewhat hard to understand, but he was confident when he said. In my view, his friends were friendly to him without any prejudices. I was happy to know that he are living no stereotype environment in here SNU. In your interview, I was surprised like 상원 because he do not know sign languages. It was my hidden stereotype that all deaf people 'should' communicate with sign language.
답글삭제I enjoyed your interview. I also have experience being a disabled. When I was 12years old, I broke my leg while skiing and my leg was in a plaster cast for 6months and got physical treatment for 3months. I was really depressed and I hated people glancing me. I actually feel sorry for them because I was really got stressed when I broke my leg. But maybe I should change my mind.
답글삭제All your interviewees were students in SNU. So first I was worried the school environment wasn't fit for disabled people. But when I read the interview, the interviewees didn't see any problem with the school and thought it was a very good environment. I was very relieved about this. But I felt a little sad when they couldnt get exceptions for english listening tests in high school. I wish they could get exceptions because thats the way to get equality.
답글삭제All your interviewees were students in SNU. So first I was worried the school environment wasn't fit for disabled people. But when I read the interview, the interviewees didn't see any problem with the school and thought it was a very good environment. I was very relieved about this. But I felt a little sad when they couldnt get exceptions for english listening tests in high school. I wish they could get exceptions because thats the way to get equality.
답글삭제Great interviews. First of all, I was kinda shocked that they say SNU campus is comparatively comfortable for them to live. Second, I didn't know that SNU offer them house near the campus. It'd be much easier for them to commute as well as their family members who help them a lot. Third, I got a new standard of my behavior towards disabled people whom I meet in the street. I was always curious that which would be more polite and appropriate among spontaneously helping them and wait until they ask my help. Two of the interviewees taught me that if I would do the same thing to able-bodied people, then I can do that. But if not, it would be inappropriate. Thanks for your great effort. Your interviews really helped me in various ways.
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