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THERE IS TO be a first for Irish television tonight as First Dates Ireland will feature a date conducted entirely in sign language.
The episode features a meal between design student John Charles (27) from Edenderry, a member of the deaf community, and HR professional Stephen (24) from Dublin, who is fluent in sign language as well as being Mr Gay Ireland.
Although deaf people have appeared in the UK version of the show, their dates have not been conducted completely in sign language.
Late last year, President Michael D Higgins signed new legislation conferring legal recognition on Irish Sign Language (ISL).
It means that that around 5,000 Irish deaf citizens are able to access State services in their own language.
When John Charles and Stephen meet, it turns out that they have met before and they immediately start to communicate using sign language. John Charles tells Stephen that when he goes on a date with a hearing person who doesn’t sign, they have to use a phone to communicate, passing texts back and forth.
Stephen decided to pursue deaf studies at college after a difficult start with his own communications skills.
He explained: “Growing up I had a really severe speech impediment to the point where I couldn’t even fully pronounce my own name properly. I knew exactly what I wanted to say, I’d talk all the time but people couldn’t understand me.
“It meant that I was really interested in, if one way of communication wasn’t working for you that you could just choose an alternative.”
Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly said the law was a watershed moment for the deaf community.
“Members of the Irish deaf community have been suffering extreme marginalisation by the State for some time now. The signing of the bill by Michael D Higgins puts an onus onto State agencies such as hospitals, schools and the Courts to make services available for the Irish deaf community.”
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It was burning. ‘She later used it a second time’. I put my hand in the fire. It burned. I took it out and ran it under a cold tap. I thought this was normal. I stick my hand in again. I s*^t you not. It started to burn again
@Dessie Curley: Given the product was a chemical skin peel it would be reasonable to expect some sensation.
Also, you know if you stick your hand in a fire you’ll be injured. It’s a reasonable expectation that of a expert you have paid recommends a product to you that it won’t cause extensive and lasting skin damage.
Every last one of these cosmetic products carry a warning on the packet to ‘apply a test patch’ or ‘discontinue use if skin irritation occurs’ not that isn’t just basic common sense…
With company out of business – who pays the €37K. Genuine question.
Retroactive claim from the liability insurance policy held by the business at the time of the incident.
They wouldn’t bother suing a wound down Ltd. company and joining the list of creditors.
But she didn’t have a facial. She opted for a chemical peel that works by burning off the top layers of your skin. BURNING OFF. Total rubbish. She didn’t deserve a penny.
The beauty therapist told her she had sensitive skin and then recommended the product. Clearly at fault. The amount awarded seems high to me though.
Saw a photo of her on another site. Poor woman looks destroyed :)
about 20% of white Irish women have rosacea. I could have an extra 35k now if only I’d the cop on!!! Was the Groupon facial!
Exactly – if she’d been diagnosed with contact dermatitis or some allergic response I’d say fair enough, but rosacea is a common condition of unknown cause.
@Tom the Bomb: A common condition which she didn’t have before she used the recommended product.
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