Fake Interpreter, Stocking for my Mila, ornament making

The world is in an uproar after a "fake" interpreter for the deaf made a fool of himself, the South African government, and whoever hired him, by showing up for a job he wasn't qualified for, and then having a schizophrenic episode on top of it. And the bottom line was total disrespect and mockery of the Deaf people he was hired to serve.  The deaf community around the world is outraged, and rightly so.

Apparently South Africa doesn't have much in the way of "criteria" for being a bonafide interpreter for the Deaf, or this would never have happened.  You would think this could never happen in the U.S. because we have professional organizations such as the Registry of Intepreters for the Deaf, local intepreter agencies, and certification of interpreters.

Everybody hones in on the "security issue" involved, but what about the rights of the deaf people they hired an interpreter for, so they could have equal access to the memorial?  To be that careless about who they hire for interpreting in ANY situation, even one with no need for "security" is just plain wrong.

But things like this do happen, just on a smaller scale.  Ask any deaf person you know to tell you their "worst interpreting experience," and I'm sure there will be a story.  Deaf people have been putting up with lousy translation for years.  

Interpreters in the U.S. are required to follow ethical guidelines set by the professional organization that certifies them.  These guidelines include the provision that if an interpreter has a health issue that could affect the quality of interpreting, he/she has no business accepting a job until or unless health is good.

This man has a history of schizophrenia that HAS resulted in him being violent and even hospitalized.  He had no business accepting an interpreting job that would be high pressure like this one.  I've seen him interviewed and at worst he is delusional, and at best he is clueless.

Apparently South Africa needs a certification process and stricter guidelines for hiring interpreters.

***********************  Enough of that!!!!  ***********************

On another note, my granddaughter face-timed me last week and asked if I could get her a stocking ornament like her brother's.  She had found his ornament that had his name on it, and asked her mother where it came from, the answer being that Grandma bought it.  So she asked, "where is  mine?"  Mommy said, "Grandma bought it for your brother before you were born, so there isn't one for you."  So she called me on FaceTime to ask for one, and showed me what she was talking about!  She asked for pink because it's her favorite color.

I couldn't find one in stores except a smaller, poor-quality one.  So I made one.

I hunted for patterns online, and found several.  One was from Martha Stewart's website, another one I liked was from www.favecrafts.  There was some good stuff at Better Homes and Gardens (a very cute little owl).  But the one I used was from WeeFolkArt.com.

I went a little crazy and bought a lot of felt, because i also found cute little felt bags and got them for grandchildren but wish I had bought more.  I'm so happy to be sewing again:)

I think I'll just have some fun and make little things out of the felt.  We only have 3-1/2 more days of school before "Winter Break" -- two weeks off work!   I'm ready for it, the students have been a bit wild lately.

Merry Shopping!