Interviewee:
William (Bill) Vicars, Ed.D.
Interviewer:
Social Development History
Developmental History Questions
1) Was your mothers pregnancy normal, uneventful, problematic?
problematic
2) Describe any problems or unusual circumctances
2 months premature, loss of blood
3) Birth Order
Third of three
4) Any knowledge of parents about pregnancy?
They understood the pregnancy and childbirth process.
5) Was the delivery normal, routine, difficult?
difficult
6) Type of delivery?
Came out while the doctor was running through the door putting his coat on.
7) Full Term?
7 months
8) Place of Birth?
Box Elder County Utah
9) Do you know if your Mother has pre-natal care? Access to health care?
Yes. Yes.
C. Medical Problems
1) Any significant medical problems as a child?
Hard of hearing. weak lungs
2) If so please describe treatment/
Incubator for 6 months
3) Did any other close family members have medical conditions that you were
aware of. If so please describe treatments.
Mother has had a stroke. Lots of diabetes in the family.
4) Did you get all of your immunizations?
Yes.
5) Did you get dental care?
Yes.
D. Developmental Milestones (ages of occurrence if known)
1) Sat up on own (and why you believe you did)
No clue.
2) walked
No clue.
3) First Words
No clue.
4) Toilet Trained
Apparently
E. Parental Care
1) Do you think you were easy to care for as a child?
After the first year or so, yes. I spent the first few months in an
incubator.
2) Do you feel that you received appropriate care, if not why?
Yes -- I’m alive. Heh.
F. Social/Emotional Aspects
1. What were your peer relationships like as a child?
Somewhat stilted due to being hard of hearing, but I did have friends and I
did interact socially with peers.
2. How would you describe yourself as a child? (outgoing, shy?)
Average. Sometimes shy, sometimes outgoing, depending on whether I could
understand the other people or not.
If I could hear what was going on…I was outgoing…if not I was shy. For
example…I never got into “cruising” because I couldn’t hear people across
the street or speaking to me from other cars. Or the person in the car with
me for that matter.
3. What types of play, activities, and hobbies did you participate in as a
child?
I mostly read. But I also had two very active older siblings. We played
together quite a bit. Also at age eleven I took up chess and became somewhat
skilled at it. As a teenager I did martial arts and dance (modern jazz).
4. If so please describe the events and their effect on you.
The reading and chess helped me develop relatively strong cognitive skills
that have served me well throughout my life. The playing with my older
siblings helped me to learn how to interact with people. The martial arts
gave me self confidence and helped me to lose weight and eventually led to
being interested in dance.
5. Were there significant events that occurred during your childhood?
Well sure…but nothing traumatic or earth shattering that had any lasting
impact. Relatively normal childhood.
6. If so, please describe the events and their effects on you.
7. Is there anything else you think is important to know about your
childhood?
No.
G. School History
1. Schools attended
Central Elementary, Mountainview Elementary, Box Elder Jr. High, Box Elder
High School, Utah State University, Weber State University, Lamar
University. Dozens of workshops etc.
2. Attendance:
Excellent
3. Performance:
Struggled during elementary school, after that I did really well.
4. Participation in school related activities
Chess club, debate club. Note: I couldn’t do well at debate events that required back and forth conversation,
so I
focused on individual speaking events.
5. Peer relations at school
Average. I had a best friend and a number of good friends.
6. Parent involvement in school
Occasional. Not much. They were there if I asked or needed them.
H. Current Social/Emotional
1. What are your current social relationships like now? Are you the type
of person who has a lot of friends, or a few very close ones.
I have lots of general friends and a few very close ones. And a few psycho ones.
:)
2. Special Relationships
Wife, children, long term friendships with several people.
Mom and dad.
My cat thinks we have a special relationship, but we don’t.
3. Major interests and activities
I minored in Psych. Majored in Public Relations. Figured that was my weak
area due to hearing loss so I dived into it.
Graduate work in Deaf Education. Doctorate in Deaf Ed/Deaf Studies.
Psychology, learning and cognition, martial arts, flexibility, computers.
4. In summary, how would you describe yourself?
I am friendly, marginally funny, capable of taking a stand, not handsome* but
not ugly either, about average height, relatively smart, persistent, a good
public speaker, and resourceful.
*My wife and cat think I'm handsome but one is biased and the other has
cataracts.
I. Self Description
1. What do you like about yourself?
I like that I am literate, that I have pursued my goals and achieved many of
them. I like that I am determined and logical yet balanced with emotional
strength.
2. What do you see as your strengths?
See above.
3. Areas for growth?
Woah…have more paper? Oh right, I’m typing this on a screen. Have a large
hard drive? Grin. I reckon I could improve in “self awareness of areas to
improve on” because I can’t think of lots of areas to improve. I’m sure they
are there…but I’m into distraction as a way of coping with inadequacies.
When I start feeling inadequate, I get busy doing something to distract
myself.
Really, hmmmm…I want to become more kind. It’s the ol' “people don’t care
how much you know until they know how much you care” gig.
4. Current worries or fears?
Old age. Becoming crippled. Getting hit by a car while biking home.
5) Goals and dreams for the future?
For my website to become successful enough to support me in the lifestyle to
which I’d like to become accustomed.
Lots of goals concerning travel, learning experiences, interactions with my
family, etc. A few physical goals regarding flexibility and basic strength
levels.
6) What would you like to change or leave the same about yourself?
Hmmm…I’d like to lose the glasses and have 20/20 (or better) eyesight. More
in shape.
J. Environment
1. Did you live in a rural, urban, suburban area?
suburban
2. Did you move frequently as a child, if so what kind of impact did it
have on you?
Only a few times and we stayed in the same city.
3. Did you have adequate money for daily living? Extra?
Had adequate. Not much extra…depended on various times.
4. Did your family have health care?
Yes
5. Did you feel safe in your neighborhood?
Yes
K. Religion
1) Was religion/spirituality important in your childhood?
On and off. Later more so.
2) Is it now?
For all outward appearances. ;-)
3) Has anything changed with your religious beliefs?
I’m more tolerant of other’s religions. Not so gung ho, but more interested
in “applied religion” that actually benefits my life and the lives of those
around me. I’d rather do a service project or give an inspiring speech than
to engage in purely ceremonial events.
L. Culture and Ethnicity
1. Talk about its place and importance in your life
People ask me if I’m Deaf. Well, I'm not "Hearing."
From a medical standpoint I am "hard of hearing." Some of you know the big
"D" little "d" terms. Big “D” refers to cultural deafness. Little “d”
refers to physical deafness. My "d/Deaf" friends and associates tell me
I'm Deaf, (culturally). I think of myself as Deaf--BUT I don't want to be
labeled by any "militant Deaf" (right-hand over ear, left fist in the air),
who might inaccurately assign me the "hearing in the head" sign. I am not
claiming to be physically deaf. With amplification or a hearing-aid I can
use the phone--but it depends on the person's voice. Often times even with
the volume very loud I still can't understand what's being said. And if
they have an accent? Forget it. As a hard of hearing individual I like to
think I am bicultural and bilingual. I see myself as a bridge between the
Deaf and hearing communities. My wife is d/Deaf. She has a hearing loss of
over 70 decibels in both ears. You could say she is "legally" deaf as well
as culturally Deaf. With extreme amplification she can sometimes use the
phone--unless you mumble, have an accent, or a high pitched voice. She
attended a "Day Program" for the Deaf in Bakersfield California. Signing was
her first language. In our home we use ASL, contact signing (pidgin), or
voice--depending on the situation and which of our d/Deaf, HoH or hearing
friends we are communicating with.
So…my point is simply that I am “bicultural” and live in two worlds.
2. Describe issues of acculturation and assimilation
That is a book length topic…
M. Sexual Orientation and History:
1. If comfortable, identify sexual orientation. How was it determined?
I’m straight. I was pretty sure of it on my wedding night.
2. Level of comfort with sexual identity
On a scale of 1 to 10 I’d say I’m a 10.
N. Family History
1. Family or Origin: Describe members of your family; Include the following,
relationship, age, occupation, education, major medical or psychological
issues. Your relationship with them
Dad: Early 70’s. Used to be a rocket scientist. Really.
Well, okay -- it would be more of a rocket builder. He used to make sure the
boosters and fuel cells were put together right. High school graduate but
learned lots on the job after 30 years.
Mom: Early 60’s
Various health issues…but plugs along and does the best she can. As she
gets older she has more psychological ups and downs…but when she was younger
she was simply terrific. Diabetes. Stroke. Heart issues.
Brother: He’s 45. Diabetes. Cool guy. A bit frustrated with live. Has
hopes and dreams but circumstance seems to conspire against him. Or maybe
he conspires against himself? But he is fun to be around at parties.
Always has a story.
Kellie: A bit obsessive compulsive but extremely sweet. Wonderful person.
Cares about people. Perhaps too much.
She’s 43.
2. Family Function: Did family members get along? Were there big family
secrets? Family gatherings?
We got along great.
Oh sure once in a while we had our ups and downs.
As mom got older it depended on whether she was having an up week or a down
week. But I look back on a childhood full of happy memories, family
gatherings, dinner around the table, parents who helped with homework and
scouts.
If there were any family secrets they didn’t tell me.
How did the family feel toward you?
Good question. I ought to ask them someday.
How did you feel toward the family?
Terrific.
3. Any issues of domestic violence, alcoholism, job loss, traumas?
No. None of that.
Mom tells me that when Mike and Kellie were young Dad had quite the temper
and would discipline them in an excessive manner. She informs me that she
put her foot down and he mellowed out a lot. I recall that I got my
rear end whipped a time or two...but I'm glad he did it because I honestly
feel it helped me learn right from wrong. He was never a big drinker (to my
knowledge.)
One time he got transferred due to a company wide merger. That was a bit
hard on him. But no real job loss.
I remember Dad as being very kind, loving, hard-working, smart, patient, and
a terrific story teller.
I remember Mom as being zany, exciting, wise,
caring, compassionate, intense, and spiritual.
She had her share of trauma growing up, and it affected her, but that is
her story to tell.
I got laid off once. After the initial surprise, it was not a “big deal.”
I just went freelance.
4. How would you summarize the quality of life during childhood?
Great.
5. Current family situation, e.g. children, married, divorced
Married to a wonderful wife with four terrific monkeys …er I mean children.
Anything else that I have left out that you would like to share?
Nothing comes to mind.
Thank You!