Alexander Graham Bell Phone Invention Inspired Video Phone Idea.

The latest (seemingly) inside gag (for the Deaf community that is) by ConvoRelay's latest advertisement that caters mostly to Deaf people was brought to attention by Tayler in his vlog saying it was the "best ad" he'd ever seen.  However, this ad could also be seen as an inside joke familiar mostly by those in the Deaf community and not in the hearing community. The ad is placed on the walk way at a relatively new subway stop location (New York Ave / Florida Ave/ Gallaudet University) that is close to Gallaudet University about 3 to 4 blocks away.

The ad, as a unintended consequence, possibly, could be seen as a double-entredre ad by those familiar with the name and its relationship with the culturally deaf community.

The first message could be seen as a poke at the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing organization by those who designed the ad. Maybe not.  But if it is then it's a poke that reveals a long standing temper tantrum from some people in the culturally deaf community who are against the AGBell hearing loss organization. The ad, ironically so, is placed on the floor where the name "Alexander Graham Bell"  can be walked all over by dirty shoes at a subway station near Gallaudet University, a hotbed of students who are against AGBell in more ways than one. Maybe that wasn't the intention of the ad designer (who designed it, btw?) but the ad is indeed on that floor and the name "Alexander Graham Bell" is on it saying, "You can hang up on Alexander Graham Bell" and it is located at a subway stop next (near) to Gallaudet University.

Makes ya wonder.

Just food for thoughts here.

The second message in that ad is the acknowledgment of the telephone technology which was a communication barrier for many deaf people. Although we need to remember the TTY technology of the 1980s and onward on how it has helped people with hearing loss to scale that communication barrier..... somewhat.

But here's the thing.

What Alexander Graham Bell invented was a blessing for us all, deaf, hard of hearing or hearing. His phone invention has inspired thousands of would be inventers to invent new and wonderful communication technology for us down the road. In fact, the telephone technology has inspired inventers of what a video phone would look like back even in 1910 as seen in a drawing below.

And even earlier, a few years after Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone in 1876, drew inspiration from Thomas Edison in a conceptual drawing that was done in 1878 describing Edison's Telephonoscope and how it could "transmits light as well as sound." He was smart and savvy enough to see the potential of Alexander Graham Bell's own telephone technology and the possibilities it could hold well into the future. He had the right idea in mind of what we now know as the video phone or "VP" for short as we know it today.  Alexander predicted that "the day would come when the man at the telephone would be able to see the distant person to whom he was speaking." (see here and here).  That day has already arrived....some 120 years later. Who knew it would take that long for it to be commercially viable and used by millions of people? 

As for the ConvoRelay ad and the inside joke? Was there any double entredre intended? I wonder. If so, then it'd be getting kinda thin by now, dotcha think? It may be clever, maybe unintentional (who knows?), but only to those who are intimately familiar with AGBell Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing organization and the tiff that the Deaf community have against them. Even though the organization supports and recognizes the various uses of communication technology of every kind that can help deaf and hard of hearing people have communication access.

Like it or not, every time you use your cell phone or video phone you have Alexander Graham Bell to thank every time you answer that relay call or use your video phone. Where would communication technology be today if it had not been for AGBell? Maybe that's irony in of itself, wouldn't ya say?

Deaf Echo Chamber

Yells: "Hello!"

Echos - "hello...hello.......hello.............hello...........................hello."

In Deaf Echo there is an obvious pro-union article called "Madison, Wisconsin - So This is Democracy: An Attack on Education" which soon gotten my attention and decided to contribute to the discussion offering my viewpoints and opinions. But somehow, somewhere down the line, a moderator decided that I was making "abusive comments" in my responses and comments.

*scratches my head*

Hmmm.

Really?

The funny thing is that no where did I make any "abusive comments." I stated my opinions and concerns. In my own blog I hereby challenge the moderator to back up what he's claiming and point out exactly what and where my so called "abusive comments" are. As for me, I see none because I created none.

Now. I know that sometimes for other people to read what I write it may get their ire or misconstrue on exactly what I'm writing thinking it's one thing when it's not. Hence, the reason why I attempted to explain in Deaf Echo which, obviously, didn't go anywhere. 

What I think the problem is that some people are upset because I dared to have a difference of opinion or that I provided links to facts. At least it seems to be that. Bottom line, I see things differently. I attacked no one personally. I made no snarky remarks. I made no emotional, blind rage at any one. Ironically though, some veiled personal attacks against me were allowed. Double standards? You make the call. But all this had me wondering on exactly what bias is being permitted over there. Now remember folks, Moderators have every right to see fit on how to run their own website or blog. That's not the issue here. The issue is the lack of honesty.

Somebody is not being honest on wanting to have a "good discussion." Is it a one-sided discussion the goal or allow discussion from both sides of the fence? Which is it? Will it be driving forward or backward?

This is what one moderator (Bobby) said:

Mike McConnell has been blocked from further commenting on Deaf Echo for repeat violations of our policies. Specifically, writing abusive comments. We do not tolerate this on Deaf Echo. We love a good discussion that drives things forward, and we act aggressively to maintain a good environment for our readers and writers.

Until the moderator can actually point out exactly which comment I wrote that was "abusive" then that's the challenge for him to answer my call. Otherwise, I think this is a matter of protecting somebody or at least assert some kind of control on what's being allowed to discussed, perhaps keeping it pro-union as possible?? Maybe I'm wrong though the response and action made by the moderator was rather curious. Although I'm not alone in seeing the problem of this so called "abusive comments." Candy agreed that she also saw no abusive comments were being made from me.

I don't see any abusive comments by Mike. Gotta have two polarizing sides to have a good discussions and sometimes some things just don't "drive things forward." I don't see his comments creating a bad environment. Just sayin' Then again, it is your blog.

Yes, it is his blog. No doubt. And he has every right to maintain control as he sees fit. Curiously though, no one responded to what Candy said. BTW, thank you, Candy. We can always agree to disagree. 

But I think the ban had to do more with the link I provided in reponse to a moderator's "Greedy" picture cartoon he left. And so in response to that I left a link as an attempt to put into perspective the teacher's average compensation package (salary + benefits). The "Greedy Teachers" picture in the link that came with it was not the intention but the figures I wanted to present so readers can be well informed. That is certainly not considered as an "abusive comment."  In all honesty, I'm guessing exactly which comments the moderator found "so abusive" to warrant a ban. Curiously enough the moderator is also pro-union as well which could put into question the whole neutrality of that moderator.

No snide comments were made from me.

No snarks.

No abusive comments.

Just my opinions, perspective, understanding, knowledge and facts of the matter at hand. No one wants to see jobs lost. I'm not making fun or light of that, obviously.  I don't think people want to see deaf education or any education suffer, I've not hinted at nor made fun of that.

Deaf Echo, let's have the cojones to be honest and forthright than to hide behind some so-called policies and claim that I was making "abusive comments." There is no evidence of that at all. If Deaf Echo doesn't want to hear the other side, then just say so rather than hide behind an excuse!

As for those who attempted at making these veiled potshots at me, let me say this.

What the author wrote in Deaf Echo isn't lost on me on his care for Deaf Ed and his job. No one is saying what he says is unwarranted or to be easily dismissed. I have not made any emotional or personal pot shots at the author nor anyone in that forum. What I provided are some facts to add to my discussion. And, certainly, I am leery of unions as well since we already have laws that protect us and our rights. This isn't 1959 any more. 

Next, what I've stated in Deaf Echo is that if the spending problem isn't corrected or resolved somehow at the state level (even at the Federal level!!!) it will soon hurt a lot more of us than we would ever dreamed of.  And if Wisconsin or any other states see a 30-fold increase in their deficit increase in two years time then no amount screaming will help to save all of deaf education. We all can see that coming from miles away. ALL OF US. At least that's what I'm seeing now.

I asked in my earlier comments on how can one reconcile that problem and still help deaf education? How can one reconcile with that and compete against others who want to see education remain intact in public schools? And so on? I'd like to see it reconciled but then again reality is starting to bite hard and that has become scary. Just like suddenly seeing your years of abusing your credit cards to such extreme debts do you find yourself in a pickle of a situation that will change your life forever.

What about California?

Their budget deficit is much worse than Wisconsin's. How are they going to eventually face that and even try and reconcile with their deeply red deficit problem and attempt to keep the education system afloat, especially schools for the deaf? And at the same time compete against everything else on what money's is left on the table? Is it a spending problem? Lack of control? Too much control of union bosses or reps? Not enough taxes? Too much taxes? Not business friendly enough? And so on. There are many questions here.

And finally, most people seems to be saying in Deaf Echo that money or job isn't the issue but it's about the retention on their collective bargaining status. But why do some of them keep reverting back to saying, yes, it's about keeping jobs when facing the "chopping block."

Which one is it?

I'd rather have a job even if it means not having health care and other benefits than no job at all that will help keep the money flowing. When it really comes down to it, that would be it. It's about money and control for all of us. It's certainly about the battle for survival and it just so happens that the state holds the purse string and if there isn't enough money to go around, so what are we to do?

And lastly folks, learn to leave the veiled emotional pot shots out the next time. I'm not interested in infantilism. But when it comes to interesting discussion, I'm for that whether you agree or disagree. At least have the temerity to agree to disagree.

Why the Snarkyism Carl?

First order, congrats to Russell on his successful surgery for his new cochlear implant. He took the time to chronicle his pre-surgery and post-surgery videos (See Pre-surgery, Post surgery,  Post surgery Day #2....more?).  His activation will begin this Friday and I'm sure many will be anxious to see how it goes and join in with his wife and son who both wear cochlear implant. A first and second generation family of cochlear implant users! It's like Sound and Fury all over again with another first and second generation family of cochlear implant users. 

They will still be deaf but will certainly have much greater access to sound than ever before. This is not about being "disabled" but about what you can do and not about on what you cannot do.  But for one deaf person to go online and do a snarky video about Russell's post-implantation results and congratulate him by calling him "disabled" raises the question on his maturity or the lack of maturity for that matter.

Scholarship opportunity for deaf and hard of hearing seeking undergrad or grad degree

For those seeking scholarship grants who are deaf or hard of hearing who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited mainstream college or university, here's your chance to apply before the March 15, 2011 deadline!

Eligibility:

- Spoken communication must be the applicant's primary mode of communication.
- Hearing loss must have been diagnosed before the applicant’s fourth birthday.
- Hearing loss must be bilateral and in the moderate to profound range.

Applicants must have an unaided Pure-Tone Average (PTA) of 60dB or greater in the better-hearing ear in the speech frequencies of 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz. Applicants with cochlear implants meet this eligibility requirement. Unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss does not qualify.

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) offers several scholarships for full-time students who are deaf and hard of hearing and who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited mainstream college or university.

This is a merit-based scholarship program with award selection being extremely competitive. While the number and value of awards varies from year to year. In 2010, 144 eligible applications were received and 18 awards were granted, which ranged from $1,000 to $10,000.

Don't miss out this opportunity and perhaps help cut the cost of college! This scholarship isn't just for those in the United States but those who are seeking degrees in other countries.

Fear of communicating??

Who is really afraid of communicating to who? Is it a deaf person who fear communicating to a hearing person? Hard of hearing person who fear communicating to a deaf person? Or a hearing person who has a fear of communicating to a deaf person? Where does this fear lie? Why does this happen? Who exhibits this terrifying fear of communicating? Scared to strike up some real conversations when there is no real communication access? Why wait for an interpreter if there's an alternative way to communicate? Is it a fear of communication or a lack of understanding? How do you categorize yourself as? Are you an extrovert? Introvert? Shy? Weak?  Is it "communiphobia" (fear of communicating) you have? Is this something you notice in other people? Tell me your thoughts!

Justin Osmond speaks at his university graduation

Justin Osmond, the 2nd son of Merril and Mary Osmond.

(He) was born with a severe/profound sensorial-neural hearing loss. Diagnosed at the age of 2, he finally got to hear life’s precious sounds for his very first time. Considering the fact that he was a couple years behind his peers, he has shown through a series of intense dedication and mental/physical exertion, that nothing can stop him from going after his dreams and aspirations.

After 12 years of intense speech/listening therapy, he can speak with passion and hear with conviction. There were many obstacles and challenges that represented stumbling blocks, despair and lack of hope. But his will-power, determination, desire, and hope surpassed all hurdles that stood in his way.

Despite the inevitable, and with a 90% hearing loss, Justin pressed forward with a perfect brightness of hope and a love for all humanity. He went on to play the violin, viola, piano, and drums. He has received numerous awards such as the prestigious sterling scholarship in music, academic scholarships, honorary achievements, and many athletic titles in soccer, football, basketball, and track. He is also proud to represent the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout and he currently has his Masters in Business Administration (MBA).

Justin currently serves as public relations, board member, and a spokesperson for the Starkey Hearing Foundation, the largest outreach program in providing hearing help to children worldwide. He continues to travel the world with one object in mind: To leave Better Hearing Smiles behind.

On February 12, 2011, Justin spoke at his graduation ceremony at Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He continues to give back to others who are hearing-impaired with the Olive Osmond Perpetual Hearing Fund, which he founded in honor of his grandmother.

To continue his non-profit work, Justin decided to go back to school for his MBA at Western Governors University, headquartered here in Salt Lake City.

On Feb. 12 Justin will graduate and has been selected as one of the student speakers at WGU’s winter commencement ceremony. For someone who struggled to speak, Justin is now making a graduation speech in front of thousands of people.

Justin will serve as a model and inspiration to those with hearing loss by helping others with hearing loss.

Merril Osmond who is Justin's father is one of the famously known Osmond Brothers band during the 1970s, and even to today 50 years later. The other two oldest Osmond brothers, George Virl Osmond, Jr. and Tom Osmond, who did not sing were born with a hearing loss.

AVT and ASL do not and cannot mix

There seems to be an ongoing confusion and misunderstanding on the role of Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) by many people thinking it is all about "banning ASL." Simply to say that is a sign that a person does not understand what AVT is about. There is no "banning ASL" in AVT anymore than ASL means that it "bans" the use of voice.  ASL, sign language, SEE, lip-reading, cues, and such do not play a role. AVT is an exercise session set aside for the single purpose to help a child with a hearing aid or cochlear implant to learn, recognize and understand verbal speech sound without looking at the lips or other cues.

From "Auditory-Verbal Therapy:Developing Spoken Language Through ListeningWith ChildrenWho Are Deaf" it describes what AVT is about (note the bolded words below).

Children and their parent(s) are typically seen once, and sometimes twice, a week for Auditory-Verbal therapy. Sessions usually last one hour where audition, speech, language, cognition, and communication goals are integrated into natural, playful, and age-appropriate activities. The therapist models for the parents the skill to be developed, then guides the parents as they participate actively in establishing the goal. The emphasis is on the process of listening for learning speech and language without the use of visual cues, such as lipreading or sign language. For each verbal interaction, the child is first presented with auditory information, the parent and/or child then verbally responds to what was heard, and finally the auditory cue is reinforced with a toy, picture, or action. Listening is linked with speech, and vice versa, so that listening is an active rather than a passive process.

Simply put, AVT is a speech recognition training exercise for deaf and hard of hearing children who are hearing aid or cochlear implant users. ASL or any signing cannot be used in this therapy because it does not serve a purpose in AVT at all. NONE! ASL cannot serve as a tool to help train the ear during AVT anymore than voice alone can serve as a tool to help train on teaching ASL.

AVT is not about discouraging lip-reading, either. It'd be ludicrous to think it's about discouraging lip-reading because AVT is about picking up and recognizing the spoken word. People who say that AVT is about discouraging lip-reading generally do not understand the goal of AVT. It's about training the ear and the brain to recognize and understand the spoken words. It cannot get any simpler than that, folks!

So, for a person to go around and spout that AVT "bans" ASL is either practicing the art of terminological inexactitude or the person simply does not know what he or she is talking about thinking AVT is against ASL. That is hardly the case. AVT is about the emphasis on the process of listening for learning speech and language without the use of visual cues, such as lipreading or sign language. Think of AVT like a telephone exercise where speaking and listening is required. ASL would be impossible here and serves no purpose. ASL cannot be used in a telephone conversation. Right?

I hope ya'll understand what AVT is about now.

Videos: Compare and Contrast on Communication Methods and Options

Let's compare with the recent ASL video that came out on what it appears to be (CDE) California Department of Education's official support on the ASL option against all other communication methods and options in an equal unbiased approach on information for parents to watch. Also see the CDE Oversight Committee in the last video below at 12:55 to see the scrolling names. You might recognize some of the names. That alone certainly raise questions about the possibility of conflict of interest. Who is Andrew Laufer?

As far as I can tell there were no budget set aside using California's public tax dollars to produce a video on other communication and language options for parents to learn and be informed about. The budget of $34,000 dollars was used to produce the inspirational ASL video with the intent to distribute DVD videos targeting parents of newborn Deaf or hard of hearing children. It is not known if CDE will include other DVDs, pamphlets or other information about other options along with the distributed ASL DVD video for parents to have. Is that their intent? Or just the ASL video only?

I have a question for you CDE, are other options being denied to parents who need to know all other options in order to make an informed decision regarding their deaf/hh newborn child? Is this the only DVD video available for those parents that talks expressly only on ASL? Do you have other communication options to provide and show? Do you have plans to make other similar videos about Cued Speech? Signing Exact English? Audio-Verbal approaches? And so on?


Auditory-oral approach on learning how to speak and improve listening skill.


Cued speech with auditory-oral examples along with sign language using Cuers.


A deaf/hh boy with hearing aid learning how to speak and listen fluently in both the English and Cantonese language through auditory-oral approach with his mother.


A mother and deaf/hh son (with a cochlear implant) moment with her signing in SEE and him responding in SEE which is a full visual communication access of the English language while at the same time hear exactly the spoken English language.


California Department of Education's ASL video of parents and kids signing only.

When I witness some angry struttin'....

You know, from me as a deaf/hh person looking at a bunch of anonymous, unknown people doing his or her thing making far flung comments in various blogs and postings reminds me of watching some, unknown guy doing his/her "struttin' business."

No sound is needed when all one need is to see it visually just like the one in the video above. It doesn't make any sense but you're seeing it. Right there.

Whatever words came forth are rendered meaningless because all you remember is the struttin' instead, the walking around, the finger pointing, the flailing of the arms, the constant mouth movements, the hopping, stomping, the sticking of the rear end out and so on. And, exactly what was the message in the end?

But like me and others who continually witness these odd "struttin' businesses" from a variety of people can only cause you to wonder and shake your head, and you're probably scratchin' your heads, too, at the absurdity of it all. Angry, sure. It's obvious. Anybody can see that. But to throw words here or there hoping it'd stick long enough to mean something but they end up entirely lost because all you can remember is all that struttin'.

Now, if ya'll want a meaningful discourse I'd be happy to do it when it comes to a variety of hearing loss topics and such. If you have an important message, say it, without doing the whole struttin' business and be obscure about it. I have my hopes but I am keeping realistic here, too. Creativity has its limits around here in these parts. Make it count.

Success is relative....

For a hard of hearing or deaf person the word "success" is relative, each to his or her own on what exactly that means when it comes to communication whether it's signing, speaking or writing. What I don't do is begrudge my parents who had very little information to go on in the 1960s when it came to exposure to signing or sign language, and not necessarily ASL per se but signing in general. Information was extremely hard to come by on education and communication for deaf and hard of hearing children. Parents of those days either had to research on their own to get the necessary information or went with the flow on what educators and some in the community had to say and take them as authoritative. We know better now.  It's night and day when compared to the information and knowledge of the 1960s to that of today, especially when cochlear implant and hearing aid technology are at an advanced stage.

For me, I do consider myself an "oral success" which includes both the speaking and listening skills. I am perhaps one of the few rare breed out there to discuss this publicly. I'm sure there are many more of them out there like me. I know. I've met them before. But what is "success" then? Well, to me, it's the ability to communicate and listen successfully. Though the listening part varies depending on the environment I'm in, of course. Between using a phone versus listening in a crowded room with everybody talking is like night and day sometimes. But then again technology continues to improve where one day a "smart" hearing aid will have the ability to screen out unwanted background noise and focus on the voice near me instead. Yet, success is relative.

Here's a short piece of my mother's letter she wrote to me in 2002 before she had internet connection (i.e  email). It's a short reflective piece out of a two page letter she wrote to me about my past and what she had to do to get the education for me and the amount  work she put into to help develop my speech and listening skill where educators have told her and many others that we deaf and hard of hearing people would be a lost cause and that we wouldn't be able to progress above the 5th grade level in our lifetime.

I know it is hard on little deaf children whose parents will not or can not sign. I also know that the parents who really tried and spent a lot of time with the kids had a lot of success. If I were to do it over, I would combine signs and lip reading and speech. Because as I look back and remember, we did use our version of signs for words like “no,” “yes,” “baby,” “love,” “up,” “milk,” “eat,” and many others that I have long forgotten.

All in all, the school boards, the teachers, the books, did not give a lot of encouragement about the education and successful adult livelihood for the deaf community. I am proud that you can make them all eat their words now.

And eat their words they have and I will continue to remind them of that. Which is why I consider my mother my hero because without her I wouldn't be where I am today. But I do not hate my parents when at times I could not understand them when I was younger. I cannot spend time begrudging the past and I don't have anything to begrudge against my parents, either. They are human beings, too. And I still love them.

"I wanna be like Mike" .....Whattt?

Um.....really? You wanna go there? You gotta be kidding me.









Seriously, dude. Do you even want to bother going there on what you're claiming or alluding to about me while seeing what you did in your own videos? I'm sure there are a lot things we can cover and discuss just to clarify our positions and misunderstanding. What is exactly your position anyhow after seeing the starkly different videos, and how they compare to my videos of me speaking with captions, and even, gasp!, signing, too? Remember what I said about diversity?

And folks, as for the Miss Deaf Teen tragedy he alluded to in the "I wanna be like Mike" video that I made fun of her? There are something that you need to know, folks.

http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2006/03/wild-949-really-messed-up.html
 
and

http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2006/03/when-deaf-people-mock-tragedy-of-deaf.html

Do I think the Deaf community is dumb? Nah, of course not. But I do have opinions on some people that I think merits some serious rethinking. No. I'm not talking about him. He's smart enough guy to know the differences. But the videos of him seen above are like night and day just begs some serious questioning in light of the ABC videos where he talked about how people discriminated against deaf people but without any signing, transcript or captions. Irony cannot be described here. And certainly, already some Deaf people are simply not happy with him pulling that one off.

Hey, Jeff, do you think the Deaf community is dumb/blind or what? A fair question to ask in light of his "I wanna be like Mike" vlog saying that I think the Deaf community is dumb.  How can he reconcile with the "I wanna be like Mike" vlog that was done in October 2010 and then the next month in November 2010 comes out with a vlog where he mostly spoke with no captions or transcript? Granted it was for a hearing audience yet the majority of his friends and such are deaf to begin with. No outcry? No pitchforks? No hurling of the a-wordism around? But I'm not here to disparage his choice on how he wanted to communicate in his YouTube videos. I back him 100% on his choice. Because I recognize that diversity comes in all flavors.

My advice, Jeff and others? Don't try and be like "Mike" but be yourself instead. Do the things that you enjoy and make you happy. I love playing ragtime piano on my piano as seen in my own Ragtime Piano blog, why fault me for that, Jeff? I understand the joke you tried to do. Really, if you're comfortable with who you are then that's all you need. If you feel comfortable talking, fine. I'd be the first person to defend you on your choice to communicate however you wish whether it's signing or speaking. But let's not play the high and mighty game here, and in the process do some serious twisting of the words. I don't mind your choice to speak but, really, come on now.

Btw, I still miss the hot, dry desert of the southwest.

Peace, dude.

What goes through your mind when you see this picture?

What are your thoughts and feelings when you see this picture below? It's an old bumper sticker I have that's around over 35 years old. I scanned it last year for my laptop. I have two of these stickers in my storage box along with one button with the same phrase on it. You can see a picture of that button on the left side of my blog.

Now, is that phrase true today? Can deaf children, which could mean children with mild to profound hearing loss, learn how to talk? Was that phrase true 40 years ago as well? Or should deaf children be best not to be taught on learning how to speak early in their life such as 40 years ago? 30 years ago? 10 years ago? Today???

Look at Deaf Jeff's (aka The Terlinguan blogger) recent video of him talking (although there is no captioning which I'm sure has raised a lot of eyebrows but I give him mega kudos on talking though) about ABC's recent show on discrimination against deaf people, ironically so. He also used his voice in an earlier video back in November 2010 for his hearing family and that's fine as well.  Jeff is an example of that oral success. Just like mine, Tim Riker's, and many others.

Looking back what would have been the consequences of not getting that early opportunity on learning how to speak? Now, remember, it says that deaf children can learn to talk and it says nothing about the inclusion of signing nor does the phrase presume to say (especially today) that signing shouldn't be included, either. Regardless, what are you thinking when you read that bumper sticker?

ASL vs Signed English Video Music of "Do I"

Here's a video of a song that is signed using the ASL version versus the SEE/English (signed English word order) version. The music is "Do I" by Luke Bryan signed by Allyballybabe. Here is what she has to say between the two signed versions.

I wanted to show the differences between ASL and SEE/English. There is a HUGEEEE difference, and hopefully this helps to see that. SEE and English SL are NOT languages. ASL, however, IS a language! Enjoy!

When searching for YouTube vids, be sure to take notice of if it is REALLY ASL, or if it's SEE/English that is mislabeled.. There are LOTS of SEE/English YouTubers out there. If you're wanting TRUE ASL, take caution..

Click on YouTube to get to her site containing the lyrics in English and in ASL gloss.

I agree. There is a stark difference. Just like that female astronaut who signed in PSE/SE/SEE (i.e. English word order) and certainly not in ASL. And thus no one can claim that first ASL was signed in outer space. Nearly 75% of those who answered my poll agreed that the female astronaut signed in an English word order format whether it's PSE, SEE, or SE. The point is that the majority saw the astronaut signed in English, not ASL which has a markedly different grammar and syntax than English. So, it's the signed English word order (whether it's PSE, SE, or SEE) that made into outer space. American Sign Language (ASL) never made it into outerspace but sign language did. So, don't call it ASL but sign language. It may be awhile til a true ASL signing astronaut will be seen from outer space. Meanwhile, let's celebrate the fact that sign language made its first debut in outer space in 2010!

Huzzah!

Super Bowl Madness...captioning galore!

Super Bowl #45 (XLV) is almost here and what's on the mind of many deaf and hard of hearing football fans everywhere are the much anticipated captioned commercials when past Super Bowl commercials were never captioned.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the National Football League (NFL) along with FOX Broadcasting Company, the network airing Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, February 6, 2011, are proud to announce that this will be the first fully captioned national broadcast of the Super Bowl in history, including all national commercials and promotions.

And so in the spirit of Super Bowl commercials here is "Uncle Bob's House -a Pepsi parody" a creative video I did three years ago in light of over the much ballyhoo-ed responses of ballistic proportion against AGBell's Pepsi letter over a Pepsi video Super Bowl commercial called "Bob's House."



Yeah, I prefer Coca Cola.

And, oh, a poll..a poll! Wanna do a poll? Did ya like my Uncle Bob's House parody video? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?  It's fully captioned!!

*drinks more Coke*



24 hours left to go and counting...who will win?

Steelers!!!

Packers!!!

Who am I rooting for?

None of your damned business!!

*drinks more Coke*

Go NAD!!!

*drinks Coke*...burp!

I blog

I blog.
They twitch.

I speak.
They moan.

I investigate.
They scream.

I shrug.
They convulse.

I laugh.
They accuse.

I hear.
They insult.

No matter what I do, many will never be satisfied with who I am or what I do. And if you dare say anything negative they'll take out their "deafhood" bible and accuse you of blasphemy and heresy, and summarily condemn you for not following. Last I look it was supposed to be a concept, not a cult.

No thanks. I want none of that. I just rather accept people for who they are and not about what they are and leave politics out of it.

Deaf/hh bloggers have their own opinions, experiences and knowledge over a variety of subjects and that's what make diversity in a blogging world such an interesting thing to observe and participate.  But there are selfish people out there. According to my latest poll result approximately 30% of those who answered my poll question want me to stop blogging which is rather a selfish thing to request while approximately 70% of them said I should continue to blog. 

I blog.

*pushes the enter button on keyboard*

Alcoholism on campus

Sure, many if not most colleges and universities have their set of problems on dealing with alcoholic consumption on campus. If not on campus then it's a problem when inebriated students bring their stupor back on campus after a night of partying. Either way it's a problem. Gallaudet University has its own problem on dealing with alcoholism on campus as well but I see it that they have a unique set of situation on how to deal with students who are deaf and hard of hearing that communicate mostly by signing. My question is do the students at Gallaudet University present its own unique set of situation and problems than students in other universities and colleges? Is there a higher or lower incidence of alcohol abuse among students on the campus of Gallaudet University when compared to other colleges and universities? That's my question.

Gallaudet University is certainly familiar with alcohol abuse and alcoholism on campus. We do know for a fact that there are students who do abuse alcohol while at Gallaudet University. Some may have brought their alcoholism when they entered school and others may have acquired alcoholism while at school and thus bring it with them after they graduate and become a life-long problem. Gallaudet University has done surveys and studies to determine how to rate this problem on campus when compared to other universities and colleges. In one study done in 2005 was the College Alcohol Problem Scale (CAPS) to determine a ranking scale and found that there were more college seniors who reported with more alcohol-associated problems.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in scores on the College Alcohol Problem Scale (CAPS) among class ranks and gather information about alcohol prevention efforts for deaf college students. Two hundred and eight-six deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing college students completed a 21-item questionnaire. The questionnaire included eight items for the College Alcohol Problem Scale (CAPS), six items related to alcohol prevention, and seven demographic items. Cronbach alpha for the CAPS was .77. A principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted because the questionnaire was given to students for whom American Sign Language was their primary language. The PCA yielded a two-component instrument, which is consistent with other studies of hearing college students. Analysis of variance results indicated a significant difference in scores among college seniors and graduate students, with college seniors reporting more alcohol-associated problems. Comparisons of other ranks on the CAPS scores were non-significant.

This brings up questions of inadequate coping skills once they enter college. A situation many of us are aware of where becoming independent for the first time, away from home but only to face social pressure and wanting to "fit in" would they find drinking alcohol as a way to "solve" that so-called problem. Excuses vary on why students decide to drink excessively to the point of self-abuse risking bringing that abuse after college life.  But Gallaudet University has a strict policy in place on alcoholic consumption on campus and recognize that alcohol abuse is a problem.

Gallaudet recognizes that alcohol abuse is a physical, psychological, and social problem and that it should be treated as such. Within the limits of its available resources, Gallaudet University attempts to inform students and employees of the acute and chronic risks associated with the abuse of alcohol and to aid those with alcohol problems. Various support services, including employee assistance programs and counseling for students, are available for individuals who are experiencing difficulty with the consumption of alcoholic beverages or alcohol abuse.


Students and employees are warned that illegal possession, use, sale, or distribution of alcohol is punishable by law. Further, campus penalties for illicit alcohol possession, use, or distribution on campus are also severe. Students who are found guilty are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and the loss of student status at the University. Employees are also subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Yet according to the CAPS result it is likely that drinking problems still exist on campus at Gallaudet University. I suspect this has to do more with off-campus drinking than stashing drinks in dorm rooms for their own private partying if they can get away with it. There are many students who live off campus in housing rows just outside of Gallaudet University where students can BYOB (Bring your own beer). Keg parties and public on-campus drinking of the past are history. That's the good news, yet the problem is still there. The question is, how much of a problem is it today? Has it gone up, down or stayed the same? That's what I like to know despite the campus climate being substantianly different than it was during the late 1980s and early 1990s when I was there.

My thoughts on investigative blogging.....

Let me expand a bit about what I blog when people think what I do is an attack versus doing my usual investigative blogging that I do often such as the latest on campus rape issue. Plus I blog on a variety of issues and subjects that interest me....and not about whether if it interests you. That's not my goal. Either you like my blogging style or you don't.  That has always been my nature.

Had there had been a legitimate, integrity-driven journalist entity within the so-called Deaf community, wouldn't those issues had already been reported or looked into? But we don't see that, do we? Instead people seem to be content on Deaf News and BnB to do stories that are mostly the benign stuff. Important? Sure, but they're still mostly the benign stuff.

For example, has the BnB done any serious, in depth journalistic work about rape, alcoholism, miscommunication issues, and other such investigative work on campus? Any real in depth investigative work they've done? What about other bloggers? If so, let me know.  Or do they mostly do the commentary type of writings and try and keep to a safe leash instead? So far as for BnB they've already retracted a mismanaged article they did. Had it been in print instead of an electronic publication of that same Wirick article they wouldn't have had the easy convenience of retracting a story with the hope that it would quietly disappear. And to boot, it has been almost two months and no update to the public as to why they retracted their story or whether they'll issue an apology for their own mismanagement when their excuse for pulling it has to do with "safety concerns." Something is not adding up over there. We see hearing people who do investigative journalism on other hearing people or organizations to help expose the truth or at least question things that seems to be amiss. Yet, but when it comes to Deaf people, it's verbotten? Why? Something to hide? Skeletons in the closet? What?

Interesting.

And perhaps if the BnB, other similar "Deaf news" type of reporting and other bloggers had any journalistic gumption then they would have already investigated those stories. Right? But somebody did that once in the past some years ago who wrote an investigative piece and was summarily threatened with bodily harm on campus for doing such an investigative piece that deserved to be investigated. Makes ya wonder about the idiocy out there.

I like what J.P.R. had to say about what I do:

You are like Yang (or Yin, it does not matter which one) that must exist to counterbalance Yin (or Yang). If you stop, Yang will diminish or disappear and Yin will overpower the blogsphere. That is bad.


Please keep blogging on.


Joseph Pietro Riolo

Just keeping the balance here whether ya'll like it or not. Otherwise it'd be a boring, boring deaf/hh blogosphere out there. No? Okay, perhaps a bit of an exaggeration there but you get my drift.

What I do has nothing to do with malice but of concern and the desire to go deeper in the hope to bring up underlying issues that are essentially "verbotten" for the lack of a better word here.  I don't use Godwin's law or bring up reminiscences of Nazism or use Nazi-analogies about the so-called eugenics and such, and go about labeling using the a-wordism and other similar "wordism" at work with such ferocity you'd think it's a serious case of dysfunctionalism at work out there. 

Deaf and blind pianist wins talent contest

I covered him briefly before of him playing on his piano in a YouTube clip. His name is Sky Mundel. But the amazing thing is that not only is he blind and deaf but he has cerbral palsy and is autistic. He won the coveted Vancouver Island's Got Talent contest that took place this year on January 20th.

The 19-year-old pianist wowed the judges and audience alike at the finale for Vancouver Island's Got Talent Jan. 21, as he had throughout the competition, with two pieces dedicated to his mother and sister.

"It was a pleasure playing in this competition and I certainly will have a lot of fun performing in Las Vegas," he said upon taking to the stage after event host Maria Manna announced him as the winner.

Mundell, whose goal is to pursue a career in the music industry, will get a head start on that dream thanks to his win.

He will travel to Vegas to sign a contract with the Nevada Talent Agency, will perform at Planet Hollywood there as part of V: The Ultimate Variety Show, will receive image consulting and a professional marketing package.

He also won recording time for a three-song demo CD, a professional photo shoot and help setting up a web and social media presence.

This is an incredible young man, 19 years old, to win this competition. Below are the videos of the Vancouver Island's Got Talent with him in it.


Final round and announcement of Sky Mundell as the winner out of 84 contestants.


2nd round in VIGT competition in November 2010.


1st round in October 2010

Someday soon I would like to meet him personally since Vancouver Island (Canada) is about a 6 hours drive from where I live. I am fascinated by pianists who are blind and a savant but Sky Mundell is quite the incredible and different pianist who happens to be deaf and austistic. In fact, I do have an interest in musically talented pianists who are blind and are classified as savants but Sky Mundell is a different breed. And why the interest? Well, naturally I'm a pianist myself who play ragtime and novelty rag pieces who happens to have a hearing loss in both ears.

It was late last year when I read a book about a black, blind savant pianist named "Blind Tom" who was one of the nineteenth century's most famous and perplexing pianists. A man with such an uncanny talent that very few of us would even dare hope to hold. It was several years ago when I became fascinated with pianists who are blind and classified as savants when I saw a show about boy named Derek Paravicini who is such a pianist. He is now an adult today. Anything to do with people who are deaf/hh pianist I have an interest. But for Sky Mundell, I'd say that a congratulation is in order for this young man. May he find success and joy!

Deaf and Alcoholism

"Why is it so hard for the deaf to deal with admitting they are alcoholics or drug addicts which is an impediment for recovery? Why is it so hard for them to stay sober once they have achieved it for a few weeks or months? What do you think the main reasons are?"

The above quote came from an article from a person who have worked with the deaf for over 30 years although this article was probably written in the mid to late 1990s yet I'm sure it's still relevant today.

I recognize that alcoholism is an insidious thing and I applaud anybody who publicly announce and seek support from friends and families to help him or her through this trial by fire. Or even find ways to express their experience and battles like, for example, through YouTube or blogs. But doing these things are not a prerequisite but a choice on how to deal with this problem head on whether done privately or publicly.

I,  myself, do not drink even though I was a licensed bartender at age 22 but it wasn't long until I figured out that I was really uncomfortable serving alcoholic drinks and getting approached by people under-21 years of age who try and ply a drink from me without ever showing a photo ID. Or notice a customer who had a bit much to drink and refuse to serve a drink only to get cussed at not knowing that I probably saved his life.  After about a year, I quit being a bartender. No glory in serving or drinking alcoholic drinks. None at all. I know what alcohol can do. I know somebody who was drunk and got behind the wheel and passed out while driving. Luckly nobody was killed except this driver I personally know ended up paralyzed from the chest downward.

It ain't pretty and I'm sure many people recognize that. Or do they?

Now, imagine what I saw when I went to Gallaudet University where many weekend in 1988, 1989, and 1990 I got to see the after effects of weekend partying and Rock Festivals did people leave their vomits all over the place inside and outside of my dormitory building. Inside the elevators, on the stairwell, in hallways, outside of the dorm in the bushes, and so on. Even witnessed a freshman lying in his own vomit completely passed out in the freshman lounge area of Benson Hall on the 2nd floor where I stayed. College life and alcohol simply do not mix. Sorry, accept that idea and get it through your head on that one.

But what causes one to go down the path of alcoholism (or drugs for this matter)? There are many reasons and causes. The article explains one of the many reasons for alcoholism.

"Substance abuse is a sensitive issue about which the deaf community does not yet feel comfortable talking. For many with in the community, it remains a moral issue; the denial of pathological drinking is very strong." (Rendon, 1992)

Regardless, talking about it helps. It makes you more human by facing your demons. And that no one is ever perfect. If alcohol is a big part of your life, it's time to rethink that and seek support. Find alternative ways to avoid alcohol by taking up other activities to keep you busy.Talk about it.  And perhaps one day you'll find yourself having no desire to drink and say, "No thanks. I don't drink."

ADDENDUM:  Here are some links on more information on where to get help on a variety of substance abuses.

Substance and Alcohol Intervention Services for the Deaf at NTID.

The International Deaf Substance Abuse Message Board

Substance Abuse within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community


Deaf and Hard of Hearing AA 12 Steps Recovery Resources

Northwest Deaf Addiction Center


The Minnesota Chemical Dependency Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals

The National Information Clearing House Catalog: Addressing the Chemical Health
Needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals, 2006 Edition

Substance and Alcohol Intervention Services for the Deaf


Deaf Adult Services

Anixter Center - Addiction Recovery of the Dea

The National Directory of Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention and Treatment Programs
Accessible to the Deaf

Sponsored by the Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

The Substance Abuse Resources & Disability Issues (SARDI) Program


Deaf and Hard of Hearing Recovery Resources


Treatment Options Listing

Addiction Recovery for the Deaf


McAlister Institute - Signs of Life

F.E.G.S. (formerly New York Society for the Deaf)

Deaf Addiction Services

Family Services Foundation

Signs of Sobriety

Substance and Alcohol Intervention Society for the Deaf

Substance Abuse & Dependence Bibliography

Western Region Outreach Center & Consortia


Northwest Deaf Addiction Center

Deaf and Hard of Hearing AA Recovery Resources

Terminological Inexactitude

I love this phrase, "terminological inexactitude." It doesn't quite roll off of your tongue but it's not really a tongue twister, either. It's a phrase coined by a genius Winston Churchill which is basically about a play on words in the effort to imply certain things. A tactical misrepresentation done on purpose. In short, making an outright lie, sort of, when you know it isn't true. It's making a charge but purposely being fuzzy about it but an appeal to emotion instead. Kind of like when a deaf person calls another deaf person using the popular a-wordism over and over but not use any specific names. Even words like "deficit thinkers," too. Or "colonialized." Just gets nutty when that happens. An example of a terminological inexactitude of a Deaf person against Deaf/deaf/hh people is to say that certain "hearing impaired misguided colonialized bloggers to mislead the public that my ambition should be suppressed."

Repeat, rinse often, and hope that people will actually believe what you say.

It's the overuse of certain words in the effort to create an emotional appeal. Here's one non-deaf example:

'The [Israeli]deputy defence minister said the stepped-up rocket fire would trigger what he called a "bigger holocaust" in the Hamas-controlled coastal strip.'

If you don't recognize it it's the overuse and intentional misapplication of the word "holocaust."  An appeal to emotion through the misapplication of a word and to make it appear bigger than it really not. Kind of like using Godwin's law. The author makes a good point here further into his blog.

Terminological inexactitude is bad for all of us. It helps to persuade stupid people of wrong things, often intentionally.

Ambition is one thing but to constantly use terminological inexactitude on anything that moves in order to achieve a certain amount of persuasion over Deaf/deaf/hh people isn't the answer.  There is no misleading the public if the answer is to provide parents all of the necessary information about their child with a hearing loss (which could be in one or both ears) regarding communication, language, and educational options.  Yet, the bottom line is that no one community, including the Deaf community, owns babies with hearing loss. The deaf or hard of hearing child belongs ONLY to the parents and it is they who make the final, and hopefully, informed decision on what to do next. They hold the trump card. Not you. Not me. Not them. But the parents.

Get used to that concept. This is the 2010's and beyond, not the 1950's.

A video: Learn about the Truth! Face your fear!

Here's an awesome video teaser with some great but somber-like music in the background about the truth in a world where deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people struggle to communicate between each other on a daily basis. What is this top secret video about? What truth will come out in February 2011?

Watch, wait and find out. You ain't seen nothing yet.....!

Buff and Blue on the missing Wirick article

I received an email response not too long ago where I inquired into the missing Buff and Blue article on Wirick. It was an interesting email whose answer brings up bigger questions. I feel it's important for people to know what was in this email sent to me from someone on the inside.

Unfortunately, we had to take the article down recently due to personal concerns for safety. However, we will be meeting with several administrators about this article when second semester begins and then make a final decision about whether to remove that article permanently or to post it back up.


I apologize for the inconvenience!

Shouldn't the author of that article ought to have thought of that first before publishing it?  I responded back inquiring further about this so-called "safety" concerns and the reply was this.

Unfortunately, I'm not in the position to say who, but any concern of safety is always important, so the article is no longer public until further notice.

Now, I'm thinking with a question mark over my head over this so-called "concerns for safety." Safety concern for whom? The author who wrote it? The names of the people that were discussed in that article? And  what's interesting is that this article will be discussed among "several administrators"? Sounds serious if the BnB is meeting with "several administrators" just to decide over an article that the BnB wrote.  I'm wondering if this "safety" concern is more of a ruse and has more to do with preventing a potential lawsuit down the road? Who knows? Gallaudet University's spring semester began on January 18. It has been almost two weeks. Perhaps we'll here about this decision soon enough? And if they decide not to put the article back upon, will we know about it?

What do you think?

It has been about month and half since the article was removed from the public eye although I still have a copy of that article for those who request it.  You can still see bits and pieces of the article here.

Making threats to DVTV

I happened to take a quick peek at DVTV to see what's up and came across KissASL's vlog about canceling a dance contest due to getting several emails threatening to "damage DVTV" if she goes ahead with the contest of hers. This is example of bullying in action. Whoever sent those emails is a friggin' moron and a coward who think the answer is to issue threats to the person and to ruin or damage DVTV just because he or she doesn't agree with what she's doing. I hope whoever sent those emails get caught for sending threatening materials to her and against DVTV. It doesn't matter who or what the issue is, it is simply inexcusable to write such an email letter to anybody on the matter of disagreements by making threats. This is almost just as bad for a deaf person to wish the death of a deaf father's baby son in the hope that he falls on the baby killing the infant (yes, this actually happened). Whatever. Such threats or wishes of harm or damage are inexcusable. Such actions are for the limp, weak minded people who can't handle such a simple concept like agreeing to disagree. Making threats over a dance contest on DVTV? We definitely have morons in our midst who have the inability to think constructively.

DeafASLvlogs - profile on courage

Back in May 25, 2010 I made a little blog note stating that I left a comment at DeafASLvlogs in response to her blog about me. I made a screen capture of my comment while it was in "awaiting moderation" mode and figured she was out and too busy to check in to approve comments. Guess what, and maybe I shouldn't be surprised, my comment never went through.  Is this a case of being a coward for not allowing my comment to go through? Or was it somehow tossed into the spam box or got deleted accidentally?  Or perhaps the simple answer is that she didn't want it to go through even though was nothing wrong in what I wrote. Maybe the dog ate her homework?  Aside from any possible accidental deletion I don't see any real justification on not to let my comments through. But it's rather quite curious that my comment didn't go through.

Below is my screen capture of what I wrote.

In case if you cannot read the screen capture then read below on what I wrote on May 24, 2010 @ 12:03 PM.

This is not a so simple world with simple solutions. Each person is unique on how we deal with our hearing loss. Each parents' situation is unique when it comes to their deaf/hh child on communication access. Hearing loss is about people with all kinds of hearing loss from mild to profound. Each person has certain communications needs, wants and preferences. Some don't care for identity politics while others are immersed in them. Some preferred to be called hearing imparied, deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf or simply say "I have a hearing loss." If some are hoping that sensorineural hearing loss would be reversed in 10 or 20 years for now and would like to see their own hearing loss restored as well, good for them. Who am I to tell them they shouldn't do that? Who am I to tell parents they shouldn't do that for their deaf/hh baby? Who am I to tell parents that their communication options ought to be more restrictive or limited for their deaf/hh child? Who am I to tell people whether if they feel whole or partial?


"Deafhood" as I see it is an ideology that mixes identity politics of its own brand, namely Deaf culture, rather than simply on a shared or common interest because mostly I see people that are constantly fixated on the "don't fix me" meme and connect that with "deafhood" and apply that to everybody else. No thanks.


The one single thing that is common in all of us is that we all have hearing loss from mild to profound. How our we deal with our hearing loss and communication barriers vary from one person to the next. So, that's the second common interest we all have. Everything else just de-evolve from there breaking up into various factions. Which is why I say, "Deafhood? No thanks." Accept that. Move on.


As for "deficient human beings," your analysis is wrong. I see potential in each and every human being regardless if a person is blind, deaf, partially paralyzed or has other certain limiting conditions but certainly does not limit their spirit and creativity. What I don't do is limit their choices. If one hopes that he or she will see again or have improved vision with the help of medical technology, I wish him or her luck. If one hopes that he or she will be able to hear fully once again, I wish him or her luck. If one hopes that a cure for spinal paralysis will happen soon on the horizon so that he or she can walk, I say good luck to that person and hope for the best. If a person chooses not to then I say, great, that is a personal choice. It is not my position to try and limit people dreams or hopes on their own journey, whatever that might be. It's not for me to say or define. Neither should you. It is not my position to limit parents' informed decision on how to raise their deaf/hh child. Rather I like to give them the opportunity to expand beyond what's possible by whatever means it would require to make for them see and experience positive success.


I hope that each of us succeed in our own ways that's positive and rewarding that each of us can only appreciate. Hopefully, others will appreciate it as well. Deaf identity politics is just ugly business. I have the right to define who I am, and not from you or anybody else have that right.

Too bad my comments never went through. Riding a motorcyle is courageous braving the danger and elements of the outdoors but does not have the cojones to let my comment through? How ironic. Granted, it's old and I meant to follow it up a month later after I submitted my comment.

Better late than never, I suppose.

Solitude in hiking

High Rock Lookout. You can see the tiny white cabin on top of center peak.

High Rock Lookout cabin (summer, 2009) with Mt. Rainier behind it.

When hiking alone as a deaf or hard of hearing person solitude can either be a peaceful place or a frightening one, depending on how you relate to being in the outdoors while alone, and unable to hear should that happen. It may seem frightening to some people on not being able to hear. But for me to hear with my hearing aid gives me that added dimension to my own version of what solitude is all about. And the opportunity to hear the sound of the breeze rustling through the trees and grasses, a babbling creek, roar of a waterfall, or birds chirping in the distance. And if I'm lucky hear the rattle of a rattle snake if I don't get too close (yes, I did see one and took a picture of it from 6 feet away, that's another story for another time).

I find it very peaceful, relaxing and whenever I hike to a spot high up on a mountain peak or on a ridge line area where I can see the vast distances spread out across before me. And witness the awesomeness of nature and her beauty. I grew up hiking, backpacking and camping as a kid and continue to do so as an adult.  I know what beauty is about. Nowadays, I get more of my hiking done that is work-related, getting paid to hike in the back parts of the forest as I go and get the needed survey data for my analysis. And the only way to get where I need to go is to hike.

At other times I hike when there is an opportunity to go when good weather comes my way such as hiking up to Gotchen Creek Meadows on the flank of Mt. Adams or hike up to High Rock Lookout where I hiked once before when I was a young boy at 8 years old did I actually remember that place on a hike with my mother and father, and my sister and brother that day.  Solitude is about revisiting your past as well. And I certainly enjoyed my 2 hour solitude there by myself.

I get my solitude "high" at these high places absorbing in the beauty and fresh air knowing that only a few people actually took the time to visit these altitude challenging trails. In fact, I met up with 4 older people on my trek to High Rock Lookout where one couple was from New Zealand and the other from Olympia, Washington. I had a nice chat with the people from New Zealand, especially the nice lady who had a quaint but soft New Zealand accent to her voice. I asked her to please speak up because I told her I have a hearing loss. After our brief 10 minute conversation on High Rock Lookout I asked two ladies to wave at me so I can take a picture of them as they departed on their way down the trail. One waving at me is from New Zealand.

One particular hike I fondly remember is a hike to a 10,600 ft ridge line peak that is part of the Sierra Blanca (12,003 ft) mountain ridge line in New Mexico. My hike was work-related and it was a 4.5 mile round trip hike starting at the end of a road in Bear Canyon as I hiked along Bear Canyon Creek trail inside the subwatershed.

(copy and paste Latitude and Longitude for Google Earth)
33 25' 05.20" N
105 49' 30.65" W

My hike began at 8080 ft on a 2.5 mile trail to a 10,640 foot ridge line peak where I stopped there for lunch.

(copy and paste Latitude and Longitude for Google Earth)
33 25' 05.20" N
105 49' 30.65" W

The place was an open grassy peak where to the west it drops off with trees downslope. The stop was breath-taking with a grandeur view of the Tularosa Basin valley below me where the Chihuahuan Desert is. I could see White Sands to the southwest of me to the Valley of Fire lava field almost directly to the west. And mountain chain on the opposite side of the Tularosa Basin valley could be seen. After an hour of absorbing in the beauty and fresh air, my lunch break was over. I hiked back down piggy-backing a ridge line back to my truck, a 2 mile hike where I had to bush whack my way through in some parts with downed trees. I wasn't on a trail but above the trail where I was earlier along Bear Canyon Creek. It was an awesome hike. I just wished I had brought my camera that day.

Another hike I took was the Dog Canyon hike in the desert of New Mexico near Alamogordo. My hike started at the 4400 ft elevation up to 4900 ft elevation where I did my taping for my "Adversity" vlog for hearing parents of deaf and hard of hearing children that speaking isn't something to be ashamed about. That hike was a relatively short one yet it was steep with with an elevation gain of about 500 ft, though the trail was well built and easy to hike on with some crudely made steps that were built in.  The weather was quite warm that day being that I was in the Chihuahuan desert and all that. The view certainly looked different being almost 50 miles further south from a hike I did up to a 10,600 foot ridge line peak.

(copy and paste Latitude and Longitude for Google Earth)
32 44'53.19"N
105 54'35.90"W

Solitude means different things to different people. As a person with hearing loss my solitude is about nature and the environment where I get the opportunity to enjoy the high altitude views. It's about the smell, the sound, the view and even the effort to get where you want to be will experiencing solitude be more refreshing than ever. The crunching steps of my boots on the trail. The swiping of a few handfuls of huckleberries to quench my taste buds.  A car trip cannot replace that same feeling of solitude, nor will it get you that same feeling of reward the effort it took you to a place few people hike to. The spirituality is different when you are one with nature, hiking a trail while you mull over your thoughts, alone. I have a lot of hiking ahead of me and lot places to visit in Washington and Oregon, especially next on my radar is my "super-secret" swimming hole near Tygh Valley, Oregon that I went often went as a kid with my folks who grew up nearby in Dufur, Oregon. There is solitude in hiking. When will you take yours?

A Poll: Should Mike stop blogging on Kokonut Pundit?

Note: If you're going to vote "Yes!!" at least have the cojones to explain why instead of being an anonymous coward.

I've been blogging a long time and enjoyed every minute of my blogging. I know I've contributed my generous share to the deaf and hard of hearing communities, and even the Deaf community with my invaluable contributions on a variety of important subjects and issues. Opinions do matter here whether you like it or not. I'm not shy about what I write here and ask the hard questions at times when others do not dare touch it. I speak with my mind, literally so, on occasion. And I'm sure my actions produced some shocking results to those whose own sensibilities are, well, rather sensitive and not used to the idea of seeing deaf/hh people talking and not sign. Really, it's all about diversity if people haven't gotten a clue yet.

As a matter of my own curiosity, should I continue with my blogging on my Kokonut Pundit blog? Why or why not? If you answered this poll please write down why you selected "yes" or "no." Don't be shy.

Have a great day!

Deaf Sneetches?

Here's a subtitled video "The Sneetches".

If you know the story about The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss then you'd already know about the story on tolerance and acceptance rather than to think one way is the better way. It's the senselessness of prejudice, discrimination and vanity. In other words, don't act all "snooty" or "snotty." I grew up reading all of the books by Dr. Suess. I suppose you guys have done that as well. But eating green eggs and ham are hazardous to your health. Chomping down a plate full of  green, moldy food isn't a smart thing to do.



And so, this led me to realize that even some Deaf, deaf, hh and hearing people aren't immune from being a "Sneetch" because "The Sneetches" story is about the human condition and frailty in us all regardless of hearing status or cultural affiliation. Elitism is an apt description, too. I even see a bit of "Zax" in them refusing to budge in some instances as well.

The Zax are characters from the Dr. Seuss books. They are stubborn and arguable and have messy hair and hairy bodies. They live in the Prairie of Prax. Varieties of Zax include a north-going Zax and a south going Zax. Due to their stubbornness, they refuse to go in any direction other than their assigned directions. If a south-going Zax encounters a north-going Zax, they cannot solve their issue and the world progresses without them, such as a highway being built over them.

But here's my view I've had for years now. I accept people regardless of their mode of communication. I understand the roles and decisions parents must face for their children with hearing loss with the hope they make informed decisions. I don't  go around calling parents "monsters" or "child abusers" for the hard decisions they had to make.  I don't go around and call people "Deficit Thinkers" just because of a difference of opinion or accuse them using the a-wordism, either. I believe babies, deaf, hard of hearing or hearing, knowing how to sign would be advantageous for them when it comes to communicating. And I also understand the fact that early intervention is key as well when it comes to auditory training and speech skills. I believe that communication access is essential to anyone with a hearing loss be it mild or profound and there are a variety of mode of communication and methods available for all of us, especially in a world where communication access technology is growing by the leaps and bounds.  But to call people as "sneetches" or "snooty" or "snotty" is at risk for using terminological exactitude in a world of constant labeling.  I don't act "snooty" if somebody prefers to use his or her voice and accuse the guy using the a-wordism. Nor would I act that way if a person prefers to sign, either.  But a Sneetch would say your signing isn't a "language" but my signing is a bonafide language signing while using English word order with his nose in the air.  Are you sure you're not a "Sneetch"? Really, it wouldn't matter how one signs or whether it must pass the language muster as long as people are able to understand each other, right? Wouldn't that make me "Sneetchless"?

Like I said before, isn't diversity great?

And now, go and take a vote in my poll whether I should continue blogging or not.

$10,000 grant from Staples to help deaf/hh kids on early communication skills

The Staples Foundation for Learning (known for their Staples stores) was generous in giving a $10,000 grant to Lake Drive Foundation, a non-profit organization, to help with the early intervention for deaf/hh kids from birth to age three.

The Lake Drive Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports programs for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, has received a $10,000 grant from Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc. Funding from SFFL be used to support The Sound Start Program to give infants and toddlers with hearing loss the critical help they need from birth to age three to develop their communication skills during the optimal time for auditory learning.

Sound Start operates under the auspices of The Lake Drive Programs in Mountain Lakes, which offers New Jersey's most comprehensive continuum of educational opportunities for children with hearing loss from birth through high school graduation. The Lake Drive Programs provide services for more than 300 students who are deaf or hard of hearing. For more information about The Lake Drive Foundation visit www.lakedrivefoundation.org.

And here's an article about the latest study using a 50 month long longitudinal data that support the effectiveness of auditory-verbal therapy (AVT) for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The study matched children who were deaf or hard of hearing and using listening and spoken language with a control group of children who had typical hearing. Dornan and her team proceeded to conduct bench mark assessments for receptive, expressive, and total language, receptive vocabulary, and speech, and re-assessed at the 9-, 21-, 38- and 50-month mark. Over the last 12 months of the study, the team also assessed for reading and mathematics skills as well as self-esteem.

Results indicate that at the 50-month mark there were no significant differences between the children who are deaf or hard of hearing and the children with typical hearing. Speech perception improved significantly with moderate to high levels at the 50-month mark. Although the group was identified at a mean age of 22.29 months, much later than the current recommended age of 6 months, their language and speech attainments have been the same as the matched control (hearing) group. Reading, mathematics and self-esteem outcomes were also comparable for both groups over the last 12 months of the study period.


Dornan stated, “This study has provided a research model, utilizing a control group matched for language age, which could also be replicated across different languages, cultures, and countries and with different education approaches.” The researchers concluded that auditory-verbal therapy was effective for this group of children with hearing loss.

In short, AVT works.