‘Community’ tests ECHO repairman

Tommy Matney, 32, was a volunteer on Saturdays at the Wildflowers Thrift Store for 11 years. He has an infectious smile, likes to laugh, and is good at organizing donations and fixing things. Recently after a year volunteering at the ECHO Thrift Store, he was hired to work part time.

“Tommy has been our electronics tester and repairman (when an easy fix) because he loves helping,” ECHO store manager Danyelle Harris said. “He has a great heart. Tommy is deaf. From the moment he walked into ECHO with a hearing friend to ask if he could volunteer here, we knew he was going to brighten our days. He has challenged me to dig deep and brush up on my sign language and he teaches us all, on average, a sign a week. Tommy does his best with reading lips, but keeps a notebook nearby when communication is lengthy.”

Tommy loves working at ECHO.

“They keep me busy and they are funny,” Tommy signed. “It is fun to work here; they make me laugh a lot. They like me even with me being deaf. I have lots of work here and I like that.” As Tommy signed, Danyelle interpreted.

“I wish people knew that the deaf like to work and we can,” he continued in sign. “I like testing and fixing electronics. I put the stickers on the cords to confirm I have tested them. I like to keep things organized, too, so I clean the backroom and my workspace. I also help sort through the linens, help move furniture and load furniture. I like to help people.”

Tommy has even set up a security camera at his workspace so he can see when someone is dropping off donations. That helps because he can’t hear the bell alarm. It is necessary to monitor donations because some people try to drop off items too worn out to be used again.

Tommy started manning the donation-receiving door on Mondays and Tuesdays a few weeks ago. Danyelle says he can use a “call” button or make his distress sound if he needs help from other workers.

“While most community members have received him well, several, more than I could have anticipated, treat him rudely and angrily,” Danyelle said. “ECHO staff would go to the door and try to help them understand our reason for hiring him and all the people would stress is they ‘don’t have time for this,’ they ‘don’t have time to write notes,’ and ‘Why would we hire someone like that?’ or just drive away frustratingly.”

It upsets the ECHO staff to see Tommy treated so rudely. Danyelle made the point that we are a community that stresses “tolerance” “love wins” and “diversity.”

“Then, why can’t that include the deaf in a workplace?” she asks. “I would like to plead with our community to accept Tommy, treat him with the same respect as anyone else, be patient with him as he is trying to gain more confidence. His work ethic is impeccable.”

When working the donation door, Tommy has a sign to tell people who are making donations that he is deaf. Some understand, others act offended and leave, and some will not give their donation.

Danyelle stresses that ECHO is the Eureka Springs Christian Health Outreach.

“Our outreach is not just to those with health needs but to give an outlet to those who want to be a part of the community and contribute instead of sitting home and doing nothing,” Danyelle said. “Because of his disability he is not very hirable in a hearing world. But he has been a big help here. He gets back there and tests even the stereos. He can feel the vibration. It has been humbling for those of us who are here to embrace him even though we have to sometimes fill in the blanks, for example, explaining why he is managing the donation door.”

When he first came to ECHO, he installed and mounted fans and lamps in the workspace in the back. Before he came, there was little air circulation and it heated up quickly due to the donation door opening often. And the lighting was poor for the amount of work they do testing and assessing back there.

Tommy grew up with his mom and brother in Green Forest, where he graduated high school. He now resides in Eureka Springs. He likes camping and going to the lake to swim. He has even started attending a local church. The church has found an in-ear system for Tommy that doesn’t amplify to the room but into his ear. Several at that church have been inspired to seek out ASL classes so they can communicate with him.

“My best friend is Michael,” Tommy signed. “He knows ASL and used to be deaf but he got a cochlear implant. I had one but it is 17 years old and doesn’t work. It costs lots of money to fix. I like making coffee for my church family. They love me. I love them. They are my friends.”