I can't understand what he's saying!

[luckywife]

My DS, who is 23 months old, is getting ready to start different therapies with First Steps. His physical therapist called last night and I can't understand him at all! I was so embarrassed because I had to keep asking him to repeat himself. I can't be sure but I THINK he said he would be here today at 11:00 for DS's first session.
I don't know what to do. I haven't ever met this man before so I don't want to call and change therapists, I'd like to give him a fair chance, but I don't know how I can when most of what he says, I can't understand. I'm just worried about how this will work out because I feel like I am going to be sitting there trying to figure out what he's saying the whole time.
I was already nervous about all of this before but now I am really scared about it. I always feel so foolish when I have to keep asking someone to repeat themselves.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been in your shoes. It's a tough call. I sometimes wonder why we have doctors and other professionals that we can't understand. Please don't flame me, but if my health or one of my kid's health is an issue here, I want someone I can understand talking to me. We have one hospital in my area that I just won't use since they have so many people working there that I can't understand.

I would wait and see what happens today. Then if there is an issue I would go ahead and change therapists. If you are having a problem understanding then how is your child going to do?

 

[snoopy]

I would suggest you give him a try in person, and if it works out that you are uncomfortable with him - for whatever the reason (not understanding him is a perfectly legitimate reason!!), then you find someone else. Don't compromise the quality of your son's care because you want to be nice. I've been down that road, wanting to be fair and reasonable, and having to make decisions that are best for my family. Good luck.

 

[gr8tpanther]

My DD had a psychiatrist that was oriental and I couldn't understand a word he said, so I just removed her from the practice all together.

 

[Piglet]

DD had a pediatrician (he has now moved from the area and is with a different practice) that was very hard to understand over the phone. But in person, it was much easier. He was actually a very good doctor and very nice & caring. I am really glad that we didn't switch doctors and we (DD included) was very sad when he told us he was leaving. I say give him a chance today, then decide.

Melinda

 

[luckywife]

I am definitely going to give this man a chance. I'm pretty sure he said he'd be here today at 11:00, but once again, I had to ask him to repeat himself. He said something else I couldn't understand so I just told him "ok, see you then." If he doesn't show up today, I guess I'll call and find out for sure what day he'll actually be here. The coordinator of First Steps told me if there was a problem with any therapist, I could change at any time. I'm all for giving someone a chance so we'll see what happens.

 

[mickeyboat]

I wonder if you hear him in person, you will be able to understand. Good luck.

This reminds me of a funny story from high school. I had just moved to NC from VT and was taking a spelling test, 1st day of school. My English teacher, Mamie Browning, had a thick southern accent. We were going through the test and she said to spell "uhnyon." I asked her to repeat the word several times, and finally decided to take a stab at it because it was obviously a word I had never heard before.

When I got the test back, I got one word wrong - onion.

I eneded up doing very well in her class that year, after figuring out how she talked.

Denae