First full day at work!

Today was my first full day using the communicator at work.
It was great to be with Lucy today as I felt less isolated and it was good to know that we are both experiencing similar things. This morning the office was pretty quiet as the students are all doing Christmas things this week. However, I had to use my communicator on the telephone to finalise arrangements for our visit to BBC radio Gloucestershire involving one of our students. Fortunately the person I was talking to was aware I was using the communicator so it was a little easier than previous attempts. However, with no visual cues it is very difficult for the listener to know whether you are still composing a message or not. Also at the moment it isn't that easy to get to my pre-stored telephone messages e.g. "Please give me more time" (if needed) on one page and then back to composing the message in hand. I need to think of a more creative way round this.
I'm still surprised how many people seem to sign or gesture to us more than usual. I'm also surprised that some people seem to have stopped talking to us altogether. I think there's a little confusion between not talking but using a communication aid and not talking full stop (i.e. being completely silent!). This is an observation from several environments not just work.
This afternoon, we went to record an interview for BBC Radio Gloucestershire using communication aids with one of our students. We were excited but nervous about this prospect. However, the presenter, John, was very welcoming and put us at ease. The interview felt relatively informal and we even had a few laughs. I think we did an OK job though there are always things you wish you'd had time to say and some things you would have said a little differently given a second opportunity. Well the broadcast takes place tomorrow morning at approximately 10.10 am. I will be more nervous about listening to it than recording it!!! I hope we have done justice to the students, the college and ourselves!!

Feeling absolutely shattered now. As I said before I didn't think this would be as mentally and physically tiring as it has turned out to be so I'm off to rejuvenate.