DR. WALLACE: I'm a 17-year-old girl who has been trying to find a summer job, but I've had no luck. I'm intelligent, trustworthy and enjoy working, but the reason I am not hired is because I'm deaf. Some employers have been very obvious about why they won't hire me. Others make promises, but find reasons to bypass me. Many of my deaf friends have the same problem.

Dr. Wallace, all we want is the chance to prove that we are capable of doing a good job. Cooking hamburgers or stocking shelves do not require the ability to hear. I hope you can print this letter in your column to let hearing people know that deaf teens are completely capable of doing almost all the jobs other teens can do. — Celeste, Peoria, Ill.

CELESTE: I fully agree that deaf teens can perform as well as hearing teens in most employment situations. I'm glad you provided me the opportunity to remind employers that deaf teens can and do make superior employees. All they need is the chance to prove it.

A STUTTERING ORGANIZATION IS NEAR AND DEAR TO ME

DR. WALLACE: I recently read your response to the teacher of a child who stutters. I am 18 and have stuttered all my life. While I'm sure the Stuttering Foundation of America you mentioned is a wonderful organization, I want to share information about another stuttering organization that is near and dear to my heart.

The National Stuttering Association is also a nonprofit organization. They also offer much needed support to stutterers across the country. There are NSA chapters located throughout the country, where people can meet and receive support from other stutterers who live near them. There is also an annual convention where members gather to learn more about their condition and to meet new people. The NSA also has many publications and brochures to help stutterers, families and listeners.

The NSA can be reached by calling 1-(800) 364-1677. Thank you for taking time to educate your readers about stuttering. — Kelly, Lake Charles, La.

KELLY: Thanks for this useful information. There's no reason for stutterers ever to feel isolated about their condition. I'm positive that many of our readers will get in touch with the National Stuttering Association.

YOU WOULD BE CONSIDERED A GOOD CITIZEN

DR. WALLACE: Lately, some guys have been lighting fires in the bathrooms at our junior high school. They also light the trash bins on fire. I know who the guys are. Would I be considered a "snitch" if I told the principal? - Nameless, Reno, Nev.

NAMELESS: No, you would be considered a good citizen. Too often, many of us witness crimes and wrongdoing, but we choose not to "get involved."

Fires on a school campus are a serious and dangerous matter. Give what information you have to the principal. If you would feel more comfortable, write a letter informing the principal about who the firebugs are and sign it "a concerned student."

Principals know how to take care of this type of problem — immediately! Be sure you also inform your parents that you will be reporting to the principal about these fires.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com

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