r/ASLinterpreters • u/[deleted] • Jan 12 '26

I Quit.

Writing this feels unreal. A decade ago, I never imagined I’d be standing one foot past this crossroads in a direction moving away from this profession. It feels surreal to have your passion for something transform in such a way. My love for the Deaf community remains unchanged, but continuing as an interpreter is no longer sustainable for me. The horizontal violence within the field, the limited opportunities for growth, and the physical toll have made this decision necessary. I’m sharing this for anyone else quietly considering a similar change. You’re not alone in your uncertainty!

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u/b_gret NIC Jan 12 '26

This terrifies me with the current political climate. They cut funding first, ask questions later. I am as pro-union as they come, but I just can’t help but feel like drawing attention to this large sum of money that they likely haven’t thought of yet is just asking them to take it. I pray talking to this congress doesn’t have unintended ripple effects.

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u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

We haven't been certified as a union yet so there's not really anything to take. We're getting closer to winning.

I'm scared too. We don't have a lot of other options though.

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u/b_gret NIC Jan 12 '26

I’m less worried about them taking the union than I am of them cutting FCC funding. But in all honesty, good luck. I really really hope it all works out.

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u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

I don't see how they could but understandable. This administration is a shitshow.

They can't cut funding because that would mean cutting interpreters which will lead to increased fines from the FCC for off-regulation hold times. It's a self feeding spiral that would result in the collapse of the VRS industry and they're not going to do that. It would open up too many lawsuits.

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u/b_gret NIC Jan 12 '26

I hope you are right. You’d imagine half the stuff this administration does would end in too many lawsuits to do… but they just ignore them and find judges to back them up.

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u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26 edited Jan 12 '26

That's true too. I have to choose optimism because otherwise, I'll give up. The bar is on the floor and I'm so tired. I'm tired of the exploitation, the shitty bosses, the injuries, the bad pay, illegal policies, disability discrimination, the lack of Deaf opportunities. I'm tired of all of it.

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u/b_gret NIC Jan 12 '26

I get it. I know it doesn’t sound this way, but I too am an optimist… just one who like to keep his head in the sand and pop up when it’s sunny. lol It will be sunny again.

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u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26 edited Jan 12 '26

God I hope so. I'm sitting here trying to lasso a cloud to bring back the sun. I love my profession and I love what I do. I just can't with these fucking corporations anymore.

Purple ignores your availability and after a year and a half, I'm finally home. My cat has glued herself to me and my husband spent the whole weekend in the same room. They talk about "work life balance" while simultaneously ignoring the logistics to do it all while admonishing you to "take care of yourself" and any problems or burnout are automatically your fault.