Our in the USA: how to live in America with disabilities

Family life in Ocean City on the ocean. Muscovite Sima and American Brian. They are hard of hearing. They have four children. How the problems of people with disabilities are solved in the United States - this is the American story of the Mehan family, which is told by “Voice of America«.

Photo: Voice of America frame video

Sima was born in Moscow. There she studied in a boarding school for deaf and hearing-impaired children. There she received an excellent education, she had many friends, and she perceived the school as a second home. Due to the fact that Sima was the only Jew in the school, the teachers treated her biased. Friends, on the contrary, accepted Sim as she is. They considered her a sociable, interesting and cheerful girl.

Photo: Voice of America frame video

Sima's parents were respected doctors, but then it was very hard to survive in Russia for a small salary of doctors.

“We saved as much as we could, but there was always not enough money. Mom and Dad tried their best to keep us fed and clothed,” Sima recalls. — When we left Russia, it was not easy. We had to say goodbye to everything: our house, dad’s favorite car, all our relatives and, of course, grandma. I was so close to her."

Photo: Voice of America frame video

The first country in which the family ended up was Austria. There they stayed for two weeks due to the fact that they could not decide where to go next: to Israel or America.

“Dad wanted to go to Israel because we had relatives there, and moving to America would be risky. But my mother knew that she had to go to the USA. There, as a deaf person, I would have more opportunities,” says Sima.

The family eventually arrived in New York. Sima fell in love with this city and in America. She immediately felt that this was their home.

Shortly after the move, Sima realized that Russian and American sign languages ​​were different, but the girl quickly mastered the new gestures.

Photo: Voice of America frame video

Sima's husband, Brian, was born in Philadelphia. Then the family moved to the city of Avalon, which is located in the state of New Jersey. He has congenital deafness. The doctor advised his parents to send the boy to a special school in New Jersey. After graduation, he moved to California. Some time later, he met Sim at a Halloween party.

“At the party where we met, I knew everyone. Everyone except him, and I saw something special in him. I immediately realized that I would marry him,” recalls Sima.

Photo: Voice of America frame video

After the wedding, she did not think about the children. She wanted to travel, meet new people, develop business and live with pleasure together. Children for Sima were on the last plan, but Brian wanted children. And Sima got pregnant.

Photo: Voice of America frame video

“Now we have four children, and we live in Ocean City, Maryland,” says Smiling, smiling.

Two children are hearing and two are hearing impaired. The eldest son is hearing impaired, the younger ones are hearing, and the eldest daughter is deaf.

“Even though they all have different needs, I love them all equally,” says Seema.

Photo: Voice of America frame video

For 8 for years, Sima worked as a translator for the blind-deaf at Galad University - a unique educational institution. In it, the deaf, hearing impaired, blind-deaf, and hearing are trained. There are a lot of foreign students and people who do research.

Photo: Voice of America frame video

Brian works on the UPS 22 service of the year. His duties include loading, unloading, sorting and the like. 20 years ago, he thought it was a temporary job - for a year or two. But after some time, he realized that it was a good job: part-time work, benefits, paid vacation.

In addition to good conditions, this schedule helps Brian to spend more time with the children.

Photo: Voice of America frame video

The family has additional income renting property in Washington, Virginia and Maryland. Periodically, they meet with tenants and check that everything is in order.

Living close to the beach and the ocean helps family members to be in harmony with nature.

“The ocean and the beach give us the opportunity to relax and enjoy every moment, appreciate the little things in life - and that’s so great. We are happy that we have the opportunity to live near the ocean and, if desired, travel to Washington,” says Sima.

Sima does not cease to dream of opening her bakery. To bring the idea to life, she will need to find business investors, get a license and find a suitable place. This is her future goal, and she is sure that it is necessary not only to dream, but to take steps towards the dream and act.

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