Born and raised in London, England, Janet Wallace came to the United States in 1999. A social worker who loves working with children, it was clear that her work means a great deal to her. With her diminished hearing, she has since changed jobs and is currently finishing her fourth year at the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing that is what connects her to Worcester. She highlights the many differences that exist between life in England and life here in the United States especially in terms of opportunities for the deaf and hard of hearing. Her experiences in England with her family have certainly shaped the person she is today. Now Janet lives in the United States all on her own, showing that she is quite an independent and strong woman. Since moving to America she has learned American Sign Language in addition to her use of spoken English, but she is also fluent in British Sign Language that was her language of choice in England. Janet also touches on the various recreational activities in Worcester that she takes advantage of, especially the excitement of Tammany Hall.
Janet Wallace
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Interpreter Services
I would want people to know that I don’t want to be put in a box. When you first meet me, I don’t want you to think ‘Oh I know that person,’ because I have many different faces really, when I’m working or when I’m at home or when I’m with my family. I’m different I have a different personality almost, in each situation it’s interesting, it’s fun to see the different sides of me but I don’t want to be put in a box.
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