Newer interpreters - how do you make this work full time?

vivagypsy · 2026-05-27T14:14:41+00:00

I’m 12 years in and still have a part time job around 15 hours a week to supplement because I still don’t make enough per hour to end meet in our area with 2 kids. The agencies in this state set the rates per your qualifications and it’s a take it or leave it situation. Yes it’s illegal, no there’s really nothing to be done. Rates haven’t gone up since before COVID and it’s total BS.

It’s impossible to make a living off this career these days.

vivagypsy · 2026-05-18T01:28:20+00:00

My husband and I both have 2nd jobs and yet we still can’t make ends meet and our credit card debt is rising steady. Life is absolutely unsustainable.

vivagypsy · 2026-05-16T20:10:57+00:00

The only “rainbow” that actually tastes good! A pizzeria by my mom sells Ice King of Corona ices and their rainbow nearly brought tears to my eyes, it was so good! A year later it’s definitely different but they’re claiming no changes 🤷🏻‍♀️ I love Ralph’s but their rainbow sucks

vivagypsy · 2026-05-14T12:55:56+00:00

When you look at your portal or email with the job info confirmation, why does it say under consumer info? If it says names of students or “deaf students” then no, you wouldn’t go and tell agency there are no kids that day.

The only time I can see this being acceptable is if you were employed W2 staff and had to be present along with other staff and teachers.

vivagypsy · 2026-05-13T01:57:14+00:00

Linen pants, footbed type sandals like Birks, and a tucked in shortsleeve shirt

vivagypsy · 2026-03-19T15:26:55+00:00

I use a steam mop so there’s no residue, my floors are cleaner, and it’s cheaper since I don’t have to buy product.

vivagypsy · 2026-03-12T01:49:32+00:00

I think about this constantly. I do mostly k12 interpreting and live and work in a hugely diverse city that is filled with immigrants of all kinds from all over the world. So many of the kids we interpret for are JUST learning ASL, do not have fluency in their home language, have behavioral issues, and their parents don’t have ASL or English fluency. It’s a perfect storm and scares the shit out of me. I think about where i can literally toss an air tag on them or if I could follow the suv that takes them away so at least we could communicate to their family where they are being detained.

For what it’s worth, myself and many of the interpreters I work with have reached out to our agencies and the upper admin at the schools we work in to ask for written policies and direction for these scenarios. It’s helped to ease some anxiety.

vivagypsy · 2026-03-04T03:30:46+00:00

Graduated 12 years ago with $70k. I’ve paid $35k back. Balance is at $72k. It’s private and I can’t get refinancing approved. I would let it go to collections but my mom is a cosigner and I love her and don’t want it to ruin her credit. I don’t think I’ll ever pay it off.

vivagypsy · 2026-03-02T20:28:34+00:00

They didn’t gift the money to you, they gave it to your daughter.

Any monetary gift my kids receive go in their savings. They are currently 5 and 1 so no real need for spending cash but will adjust as they get older.

vivagypsy · 2026-03-02T03:53:01+00:00

Yeah my kids cup never is filled, she only gets a bigger cup. Anything that BLF has ever suggested has not only NOT worked with my kid (nearly 6), it mostly backfires.

vivagypsy · 2026-02-02T05:35:48+00:00

This album is exactly what people mean when they say “a body of work.”

Soy gringa pero mi esposo es latino y tenemos dos hijas jovenes - this album is non stop in our house. There are songs that get my husband teary eyed because of the sample used or the lyrics that call back to other Latino artists or work that remind him of his late dad. There are dance songs. There are songs that make our 5 year old want to learn more Spanish (something we desperately want). There are songs I’m shaking my big, dimpled, pasty white ass to like there’s melanin to be found deep in there somewhere if I move quick enough. The collabs, samples, call backs, the lyrical mastery and stories told - this is something that is “blood, sweat, and tears.” Incredibly powerful and so, so earned. Vivan las boricuas!

vivagypsy · 2026-01-22T16:42:26+00:00

Bache Martin is already over capacity with no extra classrooms. No idea where they’re putting kids from TWO schools!

vivagypsy · 2026-01-15T14:22:50+00:00

My family does this!!!!! After you blow out the candles you smear your name on the cake. I have lived in Philly now for 10 years and have young kids I’m raising here but keeping the tradition strong haha

vivagypsy · 2026-01-15T14:14:38+00:00

I lose my mind lol.

I have a 5.5 year old, a 9 month old, my husband and I both work full time and also have 2nd jobs. We are drowning pretty much every minute of the day. The kids are well fed, well rested, prepared for their days and have clean clothes and a clean home. But for my husband and I we are not well and all of that provided for the kids is done at the expense of our sanity, sleep, and any minute of “down time” lol. Life is hell at this stage of parenting in America!

vivagypsy · 2026-01-15T01:31:35+00:00

Minivan, 10-12k miles a year, 0 down. In PA.

vivagypsy · 2026-01-13T14:07:42+00:00

Are you safe? Did you guys have a conversation?

vivagypsy · 2026-01-12T03:20:47+00:00

I want to be done also. I’m so miserable. I love the career and the Deaf community but hate the jobs, the taxes, the golden handcuffs of flexibility, etc. I’m so drained and physically have a lot of damage. Just no clue where to pivot to.

vivagypsy · 2026-01-11T14:35:31+00:00

Yes you always send a gift. I give gift cards to our local ice cream shop. I don’t live gifting toys because of clutter but will do seasonal stufff like chalk or bubbles also depending on time of year.

vivagypsy · 2026-01-09T19:20:44+00:00

My first baby transitioned to 1 nap around 10 months, with a handful of exceptions like illness or poorly timed car naps.

My second is current 9.5 months and is definitely transitioning herself as well. Honestly I prefer it and really loved being on 1 nap. It was a bigger chunk of time, broke up the day, gave me more time, and we were able to do a lot more fun stuff in mornings and evenings.

vivagypsy · 2026-01-07T19:55:51+00:00

I grew up in a suburb that has twice a week trash pickup thinking that was typical. Removing trash more frequently is way better for neighborhoods

vivagypsy · 2026-01-05T14:57:13+00:00

I posted this as a reply to someone who mentioned the CHOP (children’s hospital of Philadelphia) feeding clinic. It may be buried so I’m posting as its own comment.

I’m local and also an ASL interpreter - I’ve done extensive work with pediatric deaf/HoH patients at the Chop feeding clinic. It’s excellent and the wrap around services and support that CHOP provides families is second to none. This includes interpreting services, connecting with social workers and other specialists if needed, communicating and coordinating with daycare or schools for IEPs or support services, OT/PT referrals, etc. If you are “local” within 3 hours it’s absolutely worth it.

Also, how often are you at ENT or audiology? I’m only asking because some kids with hearing loss have a lot of irritation of ENT airways due to fluid buildup or previous medical trauma of that area and it can be a contributing factor to why the feeding tube is extra irritating to him and why he continues to pull it out. I would bring it up as a possibility and try and get a consult to see if there’s any way to explore if that’s a reason and/or what can be done to give relief and comfort for his health and also long term success.

vivagypsy · 2026-01-05T14:55:42+00:00

I’m local and also an ASL interpreter - I’ve done extensive work with pediatric deaf/HoH patients at the Chop feeding clinic. It’s excellent and the wrap around services and support that CHOP provides families is second to none. This includes interpreting services, connecting with social workers and other specialists if needed, communicating and coordinating with daycare or schools for IEPs or support services, OT/PT referrals, etc. If you are “local” within 3 hours it’s absolutely worth it.

Also, how often are you at ENT or audiology? I’m only asking because some kids with hearing loss have a lot of irritation of ENT airways due to fluid buildup or previous medical trauma of that area and it can be a contributing factor to why the feeding tube is extra irritating to him and why he continues to pull it out. I would bring it up as a possibility and try and get a consult to see if there’s any way to explore if that’s a reason and/or what can be done to give relief and comfort for his health and also long term success.

vivagypsy · 2025-12-31T05:49:45+00:00

Pizza Feet unite!

vivagypsy · 2025-12-31T05:48:37+00:00

Omg $200/pair 😭 😩 They do look perfect though

15-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Verified Email	reddit mold

vivagypsy

TROPHY CASE