Switched at Birth....Season II: A Cochlear Implant Character?

My wife and I have been enjoying all of the episodes of Switched at Birth and we are now caught up. It's great to see well known actors in the show who are a part of the signing community like the famously well known Marlee Matlin (Melody), the more recently the up and coming but wildly popular Sean Berdy (Emmett), and the newest actor, Ryan Lane (Travis) who is making waves. From all indication the show has been a popular success among many deaf and hard of hearing people in the signing community. With a variety of cast of characters such as the late deafened teen to the native ASL signers to signing and non-signing parents of the switched at birth characters made the show an interesting and enjoyable one to follow. This is a show that gives viewers the chance to see real deaf/hh actors in action and learn something about the signing community. The way I see it, any positive exposure regarding sign language is a good exposure regardless whether one signs well or not. With the shows obvious success, the second season of "Switch at Birth" will likely take place according to a 2nd exclusive interview  (see first interview here) with Katie LeClerc that took place last week:

Any news about a second season?
Katie Leclerc: I saw the creator today at the Up Front function in New York and I was like pushing her for info. I was like, ‘Lizzy, give me something to work off of.’ The only thing, and she might actually kill me for telling you this. I think she’s going to be really mad at me. I’m so sorry. Now I teased you.

You can’t not tell me.
Katie Leclerc: She’s going to kill me. Gilles Marini comes back in this episode and I think that he’s going to try to make a presence in the next season. That’s as much as I can say, and I’m probably going to be yelled for you.

Katie LeClerc plays one of the lead character (who lost her hearing at an early age due to a case of meningitis) as Daphne who was switched at birth managed to pick up signing. A character who is slowly assimilating herself into the signing community. But in real life Katie LeClerc is actually a hard of hearing actress and has Meniere's disease and wears a hearing aid as explained in her first interview in January.  Despite the show's success there are few culturally deaf (Deaf) people who don't like the show based on the fact that the one of the lead actress, Katie Leclerc, who plays Daphne, isn't "deaf enough" according to a recent circulating petition created by a "Deaf ASL teacher" for Deaf people who are against the show and some actors, specifically Katie Leclerc:

ABC Family first dropped the ball by hiring an actress who is not Deaf. Katie Leclerc is an actress that only recently started losing some of her hearing due to Meniere's Disease. The only reason she knew any ASL before the show was because she took it in high school and that was because, In her own words, "I was very bad at Spanish." Leclerc has to take voice lessons in order to "sound Deaf" on the show. Leclerc portrays herself as an ambassador of the Deaf community - "I feel comfortable in the deaf world I feel comfortable in the hearing world," Leclerc said. "I'm glad I can cross over." - There is no crossing over. She is a hearing person that is playing the part of a Deaf character. She is not a part of the Deaf world. Thus, some of the things about her character are not things that are normal for a Deaf person who grew up in the Deaf world - such as her ability to lipread flawlessly, her constant sim-com (talking and signing at the same time), and her signing being jerky and awkward at times. There are many talented and beautiful culturally Deaf actresses that ABC Family could have hired.

Pretty sad and selfish for them to attack Katie Leclerc and say that she is not "Deaf enough."  Even though the petition asserts that she's hearing but in fact a she's a hard of hearing person with Meniere's disease,  a progressive condition that affects balance and hearing and includes odd sensation of movement (vertigo), dizziness, loss of hearing in one or both ears and ringing in the ear (known as tinnitus). Yet many Deaf people don't realize that Katie Leclerc has a hearing loss:

Katie Leclerc: Daphne is a typical, high school girl. She plays basketball. She`s got boyfriends. She gets good grades. And she`s deaf. It was really exciting to be able to portray that. I learned sign language when I was 17 in high school. When I was 20, I found out that I had Meniere`s Disease and I am very, very, very fortunate that I will be able to communicate for the rest of my life, because it gets worse over time.

So you have a hearing loss?

Katie Leclerc: I`m hard of hearing. Yes. One of the symptoms of Meniere`s Disease is the hearing fluctuates.

You lip read, too?

Katie Leclerc: Yes.

What made you learn?

Katie Leclerc: Just a very serendipitous thing. I think things happen for a reason.

Did you ever feel you wanted to switch lives and not have that?

Katie Leclerc: You know, for me, the disease progresses and it gets worse as it progresses, but I`ve been able to bear with it. There are definitely symptoms and some times are harder than others, but my sister`s is far more progressed than mine and to see how her struggle goes and see what she does is sort of inspiring. I`m lucky because I get to know what I have to look forward to so I can prepare for it.

What did you learn from her?

Katie Leclerc: To stay strong. There`s really nothing you can do about it, so I just try to keep a positive attitude.
.
.

Has anyone not wanted to cast you because of the Meniere`s Disease?

Katie Leclerc: Most people are unaware of my hearing loss.

But then you have an few cranky Deaf people who'll complain and set up a petition only because a hard of hearing and signing actress isn't "deaf enough." How surreal can this get in their effort to reject a late deafened teen actress who have begun to learn sign language for her own benefit as well as for the show?

Here's one comment that was made in the petition that attacked Katie Leclerc.

I am a deaf actress and am extremely disappointed in your casting for Daphine. She is not deaf, she has no right to say that she represents Deaf people. She has never lived a deaf life. Not to mention, this show has SO much possibilities to teach people how to bridge a gap between two completely different people, in this case deaf and hearing. And yet, you fall back on sex, drugs and fake drama. Please clean this up, recast Daphine with someone that is actually deaf, who has ability to sign FLUENTLY, and also use speech.

Katie Leclerc is a person with a hearing loss. A late deafened person. She is a hard of hearing person. She knows sign language and continues to get better. She can talk. She can hear some. She wears hearing aids. She is a person that is welcomed in the signing community and not a person to be shunned just because she's not "Deaf enough."  That's rather selfish and cruel. Even though the rest of the cast and extras you see throughout the show's episodes are culturally deaf people, specifically Marlee Matlin, Sean Berdy, and Ryan Lane. That alone ought to be more than enough to go around.

The selfishness by a few Deaf people is utterly surreal.

Now, about the title of my blog, there seems to be a confirmation swirling around on what we could expect for season two of the show "Switched at Birth."  I got word that a writer of the show is thinking about casting another deaf actor who wears a cochlear implant to play a deaf character with a cochlear implant. No word on whether this character will sign or not. But if this is true then I'm sure the show will be even more enjoyable to watch with a variety of deaf and hard of hearing characters with various signing skills that wear hearing aids, cochlear implants or none at all from all kinds of background to come together along with hearing signers as one big happy (but drama filled) signing community in the "Switched at Birth" show. This will allow the viewers to learn more about deaf and hard of hearing people that come in all shape and sizes and help increase the positive exposure and fascination of sign language.

What more  could you ask? Makes sense to me.

Here's to season two!

Anytime...anywhere....not afraid to communicate.

On an airplane flight in one of his many business flights and being the only deaf person on board surrounded with hearing travelers certainly was not an excuse for him to keep quiet. Wherever he goes whether at a bar, a convention, or on an airplane there's never a lost opportunity to whip up a discussion with a hearing person anytime, anywhere...no problem. And communicate easily, unimpeded in real time conversations and not miss a beat or a single word. Never knowing that by introducing himself to a hearing person could open up a whole new level of networking. Just like the day on an airplane when he bumped into one of the top sports writer for The Kansas City Star newspaper Joe Posnanski who eventually wrote a story about this deaf man and his good friend, Greg Gunderson back in July of 2006. A story that I was directly responsible in reuniting these two old deaf friends who have not seen each other since the days when they were camp roommates at Boys Town.

Jason and engineers spent three years testing the device, working and reworking the design, and interviewing deaf people for ideas. When the prototype was done, Jason needed some people to test it. He contacted Mike McConnell, perhaps the nation’s best known deaf blogger. Mike said he knew the perfect guy.

He wrote: “Do you know about Greg Gunderson, who is trying to become the first deaf NASCAR driver?"

When Jason came across Greg’s name, he did not recognize it. But when he went to the Web site, he saw a photograph, one he had a hundred times before. It was Greg on a snowmobile. Jason remembered everything. This was his old camp roommate. He was trying for something big. And he needed help.

So, Jason got in touch, and they cried as they remembered. Jason’s Independence-based company sComm bought Greg his fire suit and helmet (with the words “Ubi Duo” prominent on both) and he offered Greg his invention to use on the show. This way, Greg could communicate with fans and media members and the other drivers on the show. This way, Jason’s invention could be seen by America.

See, Jason believes in destiny, too.

“The other day, I had a long chat with my brother-in-law on the Ubi Duo,” Jason wrote. “It was the first in-depth conversation we’d ever had. When I went over to their house, I used to be off to the side, alone. It was hard.

“Now, this device … it will change people’s lives. I know it. It will help deaf people do jobs. It will bring family members together. And it will help my old friend Greg become the first deaf NASCAR driver. I know it.”

Greg knows it, too. The story has to end happily. A few weeks ago, Greg came across a room key and he realized: It was to their room at Boys Town. Greg never knew why he kept that key — he was supposed to give it back at the end of the camp — but he did keep it. And every time he thought of throwing it away, something stopped him. Now he knew. He gave the key to Jason.

“What is the key to?” I type into the Ubi Duo.

“The future,” Greg typed.

Indeed. The future continues to look brighter with each passing day for sComm only because communicating with hearing people using the UbiDuo has proved its worth the weight in gold time and time again.  It's the little bold things like talking next to a hearing passenger sitting next to you while showcasing the face to face communication device to a fellow passenger that led to much bigger things. With the UbiDuo deafness becomes a non-issue anytime, anywhere and never an excuse not to communicate with any hearing person.

So, what's stopping you from communicating with a hearing person sitting next to you?  Your deafness? It certainly did not stop Greg Gunderson or Jason Curry.

Naturally so...

A certain person who used to be a moderator in one forum recently claimed that I made a slanderous remark against a new forum in a recent blog I did. A claim that is certainly unfounded. The problem is that I've always supported competition as I've said before elsewhere. If people think they can build a better mouse trap (i.e.better product, services, etc), go for it. This is exactly how it happened between Deafread and Deaf Village. Both are blog aggregator websites where Deaf Village was borne out of its own need (and frustration) on a matter of principle and ideology in 2008 to build it's own blog aggregator site instead of relying on Deafread's blog aggregator site. In fact, I was one original Deaf Village staff who helped get Deaf Village off the ground in 2008. And yet I am a blog contributor to both Deafread and Deaf Village blog aggregator sites.

The same story goes between DeafvideoTV, Deafcube and ASLrocks.net (now defunct) which are (or were as for ASLrocks) video blog aggregator websites but Deafcube (and ASLrocks) was, too, born out of its own need (and frustration) on a matter of principle and ideology recently to build it's own video blog aggregator site. So, nothing is new under the sun when Naturally Deaf came about a few weeks ago borne out of its own need (and frustration) and as a matter of principle and ideology against All Deaf to build it's own forum.

People are free to make their choices when it comes to competition over the internet and that's what makes America great. There are now more choices to chose from for deaf and hard of hearing people, late deafened, culturally deaf, cochlear implant wearers, CODA, hearing parents of deaf/hh children and people who are simply curious or interested about deafness issues. I've already told a few people about the new forum site to check it out yet the snarkiness and sniggering on congratulating me for helping generate traffic to their new forum continues as I speak which certainly tells the story. 

As I have said before to the new moderator, good luck on the new endeavor and duty as a moderator. I mean it.

Now, back to my blog.

It's understandable that some people would miss my warning that I'd play the devil's advocate (I made it abundantly clear in the beginning) in one of my recent blog.  Long story short, I explained that some people might think of the phrase "naturally deaf" as applied to people would find it odd. Much the same questioning could be said for "naturally blind" and so on. But if people actually think I did make a slanderous statement against the new forum in my recent blog then show exactly where I made that slander. Otherwise it'd be smart to retract that accusation when it was never true in the first place which, ironically so, is the very definition of a slander. Go figure. Yet, I have my own opinions and beliefs regarding forums, blog and vlog aggregator sites. I have the right to express them as I see fit. Even when I believe some favoritism and bias have played a role on influencing moderators. There is no such thing as a bias-free moderator, naturally so. And in retrospect, I'd be wary of joining a deaf discussion forum with that kind of rampant bias and favoritism.

Forgetting your deafness while not forgetting that you're deaf.

Lately there seems to be a bit of twisting of a particular quote on what Naomi Horton of Indiana Hear said not too long ago in a recent Indiana Hear press release last year in June:

When deaf kids don’t consider themselves deaf… the magic begins.

The context of her quote is quite simple once your read the rest of the press release. It's from a point of view that when kids are having fun and are communicating with each other, they forget that they are deaf. Hence, the "magic begins." That press release provides a much better context in support of her quote.  In fact, in the press release it stated that the kids when asked a question about camp they don't talk about their deafness:

....queried the children about what makes this camp special. A sample of the answers were: “swimming in the lake,” “horseback riding,” and “the friends we make.” None of campers surveyed even mentioned being deaf.

That's the gist of it. They have fun at camp forgetting completely about being deaf. The kids know they have a hearing loss or are deaf and certainly are not ignoring that very fact themselves. 

Tyler McAchren, a Junior at Huntington University, was a chaperone this summer after attending as a camper for three years. McAchren who wears a cochlear implant was asked, “Do you consider yourself deaf?”

“I usually say I’m hearing, but I’m not opposed to using the word deaf either. After all without my implant I am profoundly deaf.”

Hear Indiana’s executive director, Naomi Horton, queried the children about what makes this camp special. A sample of the answers were: “swimming in the lake,” “horseback riding,” and “the friends we make.” None of campers surveyed even mentioned being deaf.

Naomi Horton spoke about the summer camp for deaf and hard of hearing kids with the goal to help build up their confidence and self esteem. Nothing more, nothing less. 

“Camp reminds us all that deafness is no longer a limitation. Our campers amaze me with the gentle way they encourage each other to complete our challenge tasks. Our camp is fostering future leaders, not just within the hard of hearing and deaf community, but within the hearing world at large.”

The kids at summer camp communicate amongst themselves forgetting that they are deaf just like any other deaf kids who communicate whether by speaking, listening or signing.  It is a common thing to forget about our deafness in our effortless moments whenever we communicate with other people but certainly have not forgotten that we have a hearing loss. It'd be ludicrous and delusional to think otherwise.

The solution...

Have a hearing loss? Deaf? Hard of hearing? Don't know sign? Have a hard time mingling with hearing people? Watch this video and figure out how another way of doing face to face communication can be done.



The answer is simple. Even Noah Buchholz knows the answer. But the bigger question is how willing will deaf or hearing people take the time to sit down and have a genuine face to face conversation? Or will people continue to reject others simply because they cannot hear well or do not know sign?

Learn to let go of the status quo.

Naturally Deaf?

Recently a phrase "naturally deaf" was brought up where it raised all kinds of questions concerning the expression behind it for deaf people who may use it as sign for "Deaf pride." I get it so don't get me wrong. It's about "acceptance" of oneself, acknowledgement of their deafness, yada yada yada.

Got it.

Yet, the culturally deaf crowd represents barely 2% of the 36 million people with hearing loss in the United States. It's all about personal choice to describe oneself.

But allow me to play the devil's advocate for a moment.

This phrase would make as much sense as saying "naturally blind" or "naturally mute," or, to play the outside of the rules of today's politically correct games, even "naturally mentally retarded" to many people. Their line of thinking would be to ask what's natural about it for those who cannot walk and must use wheelchairs, for example? Exactly what's "naturally" about it some might ask?

In the United States about 2 - 3 infants out of every 1,000 live births will have some degree of hearing loss at birth according to NIH.   About 50% of the babies born are due to genetic factors where some 400 different genes are the root causes of deafness through a variety of genetic mutation. About 15% of those babies born have other conditions that accompanies their deafness or syndromatic (i.e. "multiple disabilities" such as deafness and cerebral palsy) while 25% of them are born only with a hearing loss as a result of a genetic change (non-syndromatic). 

About 25% of cases of deafness are caused by non-genetic factors such as premature birth and illnesses while pregnant like Rubella (German measles), Cytomegalovirus infections, Toxoplasmosis, Herpes infection, and Syphilis. 

And then you have non-genetic causes of deafness after birth such as head injuries, childhood infections (such as meningitis, measles or chickenpox), certain medications (such as the antibiotic streptomycin and related drugs), and even ear infections (otitis media) in rare cases causing permanent hearing loss. 

And the rest of the remaining 25% of the cases of deafness in infants and children are unknown causes.

I might be belaboring this but I see using the phrase "naturally deaf" as an attempt to define oneself in a feel good way sort of thing. And that's fine. Others may choose a different way to express oneself. Not everybody see hearing loss in the same way as the next person. Of course, you don't hardly hear people with a blindness or a vision condition say "naturally blind" and have a forum with that name, too. I'd be just as wary joining a deaf forum under a similar moniker.

Naturally.

UPDATE: In an OCDAC blog I noticed with bemusement of how a few people got it wrong about this blog piece. This piece is about the phrase "naturally deaf" which, to me, appears to be much out of sync aligning with the same idea of people born with mental retardation to be called as "naturally mentally retarded." It just doesn't make sense. I do not need to refer to a website about that phrase and why should I? So, instead these people go about the conspiracy talk.

Lotus got it wrong, eh Weyn?

So did Jill, a serial online bully done via snarkyism and derision at a known deaf-run discussion forum who finally got the perma ban. A hearing woman who was the most addicted forum member who paraded as the savior for deaf people everywhere took the time to go online nearly on a daily basis for hours and went after other forum members who do not agree with her or have opinions she doesn't like. Instead of putting a member on ignore she chose to harass certain members. A woman who, ironically and hypocritically, has a M.Ed in Counseling and a BS in psychology. A woman who was the most addicted member to a particular online discussion forum who posted relentlessly, yet consider the degrees under her belt, her addiction and bullying attitude. It's somebody you don't want to get professional advice from her.  And because of her constant online bullying, I had no choice but to put her on ignore. She continued to berate, "snarkyed," and derided me where others responded to her comments hoping that I would get see her comments. Even those people were eventually put on ignore after I recognized their tactics in getting me to try and respond to "Jill." Her constant bullying soon earned her a permaban after she and others have tried to get me permanently banned for years. I never received a permaban over there or anywhere else. In fact, that one forum was the only forum I constantly attended for several years.

Lastly, there were only two comments I didn't approve. That was because they broke the posting rules. It was not even "numerous comments" that I didn't approve but two. A former moderator and a different person.

A journey starts with a single keystroke

This video of Noah Buchholz is part one of many of his series documenting his use of the UbiDuo face-to-face communication device at Princeton Theological Seminary. In his first interview he described how it has empowered him to communicate with hearing people at any time he wanted to. He provided some valuable insight on how it has helped him communicate with hearing people wherever he went. This led him to make new friends and made his education easier along the way. So, come on in, have a spell, and watch Noah Buchholz's journey, Part I.

When communication matters....

Watch for it on February 22, 2012 when Noah Buchholz, a deaf Princeton University student, who dared to communicate on his own terms with his hearing peers and staff by using a popular communication technology that enabled him the empowerment he needed.

Hearing Loss Association of America Surpasses $1.2 Million Dollar Goal

Received an interesting email announcement from HLAA about their fund raising effort in 2011 through their Walk4Hearing fund raising events. It's amazing to see how much they've raised money in one year. Already into 2012 they've raised almost $70,000 which is about 5% of their $1.3 million dollar goal.

Bethesda, MD: The Hearing Loss Association of America is pleased to announce its line-up of 2012 spring and fall Walks in 21 cities across the country. The Walk4Hearing experienced growth for the sixth straight year and surpassed its 2011 fundraising goal of $1.2 million.


Hearing loss is a leading public health concern with 36 million adults reporting some degree of hearing loss, yet most people go untreated. The Walk4Hearing increases awareness about hearing loss, minimizes the stigma associated with it, and raises funds to expand services and programs.


Mike Orscheln, president and CEO of Phonak, is the 2012 National Business Chair. Orscheln stated, “Two years as the Chicago Business Chair and last year taking on national responsibilities has given me an even stronger commitment to help this event become more successful. The dynamics that are occurring in our industry make the collaboration among industry, hearing health professionals and consumers more critical than ever. Let’s make 2012 the biggest and best year ever for the Walk4Hearing!”


National sponsors of the 2012 Walk4Hearing include: AARP, MED-EL, T-Mobile, Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas and Phonak.


Director of the Walk4Hearing, Ronnie Adler, commented that dedicated volunteers helped realize a 25% increase in the number of teams and walkers, making the Walk4Hearing the largest walk event for people with hearing loss. There was also an increase in the number of alliance groups which are participants from schools, hearing loss-related organizations, and others that share the proceeds.


Along with Ronnie Adler, Rebecca Lander serves as the National Walk4Hearing Coordinator. Suzanne D’Amico, a veteran of the New York City Walk, joins HLAA as the Northeast Region Coordinator, effective February 1, 2012.

In their website they have a list of cities where this Walk4Hearing will take place. The last city on the list is Washington D.C. to take place on November 4. Take the time and go to one for a good cause. I've met all kinds of people there even those who are deaf and fluent in sign language.

DJ Demers - hard of hearing comedian

I have never heard of DJ Demers out of Canada who happens to be a hard of hearing stand up comedian. No signing but the typical speaking comedy performances he does. I discovered this guy the other day when I came across a video of him interviewing Sarah Churman on the Sharp Focus website.  An up and coming comedian who have won awards and recognition for his stand up comedy.  He was nominated in 2011 for "Best Stand-up Newcomer" at the Canadian Comedy Awards. He was also a finalist in the 2011 NBC Stand-Up for Diversity Initiative (you can see his name and face there), a finalist in 2011 Cream of Comedy for the $5000 prize, and took 2nd place at the 2010 Toronto Comedy Brawl with cash prizes.

An impressive list so far and for your information DJ Demers wears two hearing aids. He's stereo but I'm mono. And, no, not the contagious kind. Anyways, it's rare to find hard of hearing comedians out there who have done and continues to do stand up comedies. The other well known one is Kathy Buckely. But I'm sure many of you have this lingering question floating in your dainty little heads of yours, does DJ Demers know sign language? Was he born with sensorineural hearing loss or acquired later in life? Etc..etc...etc....(not that many but you get the idea).

And the answers are......

Well, check out my next blog and find out the answers. Well, maybe. I don't know. I'm pretty darned sure you'll get them. Just wait and see. On second thought.....

Hard of hearing person interviews Sarah Churman

Here's an interesting captioned video interview of Sarah Churman by DJ Demers of Sharp Focus. What makes this an interesting interview is that you have two hard of hearing people talking back and forth on a live video feed with DJ Demers out of Toronto, Canada and Sarah Churman out of Burleson, Texas. They're able to understand each other quite perfectly. The only difference between the two is that DJ Demers wears regular hearing aids in both ears while Sarah wears her Envoy implantable hearing aid in one (but soon to have her other implantable hearing aid that was donated to her for free by Envoy Medical will be activated in March).

D.J. DEMERS is a funny dude who wears hearing aids, but he doesn’t talk about them much.

He was recently nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for best standup newcomer and was also a finalist in the prestigious Cream of Comedy competition. All this despite his hearing impairment. He also showcased for NBC at the Comedy Store in L.A. for their Stand-Up for Diversity initiative. What makes him diverse? Possibly his hearing aids.

D.J. has appeared in two episodes of the extremely intellectual show, ‘Cocktales’, on the Comedy Network. He has been profiled by the Toronto Star and ‘The Morning Show’ on Global. His videos have been featured in Eye Weekly and Bite.ca, and he has written for the Walrus Laughs and Virgin Mobile Canada. Most of the content had nothing to do with hearing aids.

These days, D.J. hosts and produces a monthly comedy show with Chuckle Co. at the Comedy Bar in Toronto. He is also the host of ‘Sharp Focus with D.J. Demers’ on The Accessible Channel. With his mixture of intelligence, playfulness, and not being able to hear-ness, D.J. is always a crowd favourite.

He also wears hearing aids.

Interesting! Be sure to visit DJ Demers in Facebook and support your hard of hearing comedians! But, hey, I did some stand up comedy before. And it wasn't easy but I sure did have some fun doing it. And ya gotta have a passion for doing it if you want to make something out of it. Although I do have a creative side in me like doing my Uncle Bob's House - a Pepsi parody video (you gotta watch the original Pepsi commercial to understand my parody video).



Ahem, anyway, the video interview of Sarah Churman is already captioned so be sure to turn on the CC button on YouTube if you need captioning. Thank you Sharp Focus for including captioning! The 36 million people with hearing loss in the United States thank you! I maintain my own standard to include captioning to my own videos at every opportunity.

Sarah Churman gets 2nd hearing aid implant

It won't be long until Sarah gets to hear the world in stereo instead of mono. Very cool. She underwent surgery on January 13, 2012 for her 2nd implantable hearing aid and will have her implant activated on March 8, 2012. All this was possible because of  Envoy Medical's generous donation presented by Ellen DeGeneres on her show that helped pay for the cost of Sarah's first surgery and gave her a 2nd implant, including the cost of surgery, for free.



Will her response to her 2nd activation be as dramatic as her first one? I'm sure she will be followed a lot more closely with news cameras around her come activation day. I mentioned in my blog about her first activation that was captured on YouTube that became an instant viral video of the year with nearly 10 million visits to date. People continue to learn about the new surgical implant even though she was all the rage in the news late last year. More people will certainly learn about the Envoy implantable once she gets it activated on March 8.

Good luck, Sarah! Couldn't happen to a better person.

Concerned Citizens for Disability Advocacy on Stem Cells for Deaf Babies

A blog called "Concerned Citizens for Disability Advocacy" (CCFDA) shared an opinion about the recent brouhaha by some Deaf people who are against stem cells experimentation in the field of regenerative medicine that could help babies with hearing loss. This blogger on CCFDA explained why he/she will not support such a petition that is against stem cells treatment for sensorineural hearing loss deaf babies.

After reading everything on this petition site Concerned Citizens For Disability Advocacy Blog will not and does not support this petition nor ever will and here is why.

This valuable Stem Cell Research could potentially help millions in the future. Why would anybody in their right mind want to stop research that could help others in the future unless they have some hidden agenda or selfish motives?

What next are these same people who are pushing this petition going to push for laws to take away these same types of children from their parents who are trying to help them or want to help them so others can be helped in return?

What a sad nation and a society we have become when the gift of helping others is being silenced if you will by this exclusive group pushing this petition.

It truly sickens me to no end.

Another blogger of In the Country of the Deaf, the Hearing Man is Culturally Deprived
had this to say:

A year ago I was reminded of this fact when I was trying to “help” people with hearing conditions and was set straight. Deafness is viewed as much a culture and identity to some as it is viewed a “handicap” to others. You can read the article from last year here: HEARING LOSS – GIFT OR A DISEASE?

I have the utmost respect for the culture and identity of the deaf and only want to “help” those who want to be “helped.” (Unfortunately, even words like “help” have huge implications…it seems almost every word I use is charged with the potential for offense.)
I do have one question which is spinning around in my brain at 2am while my tea grows cold and my back whispers conspiracies to my neck. This is not a challenge but merely an effort to know better and learn:

If the “with hearing” child of parents “with hearing” were to suddenly go deaf, the parents would probably do everything within their means to recover the child’s hearing.
If the deaf child of deaf parents were to suddenly gain audism, would the parents do everything within their means to remove the child’s hearing?

I would love to receive people’s reactions to this. Please fee free to comment below.

Healthfully – David

So far, there are a few deaf bloggers who have blogged about this potentially life-changing event.

FDA Approves Phase I Stem Cells for Babies with Hearing Loss

UPDATE: Check out one of the deaf children's progress here.

There's a new FDA approved cord blood stem cell safety study to be done on deaf children age 6 weeks to 18 months who acquired sensorineural hearing loss (nonsyndromic deafness). This is a year long study.

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Cord Blood Registry® (CBR) are launching the first FDA-approved, Phase I safety study on the use of cord blood stem cells to treat children with sensorineural hearing loss.

The study, which will use patients’ stem cells from their own stored umbilical cord blood, is the first-of-its-kind, and has the potential to restore hearing. This follows evidence from published laboratory studies that cord blood helps repair damaged organs in the inner ear.

The year-long study will follow 10 children, ages 6 weeks to 18 months, who have sustained post-birth hearing loss. Children who are deaf as a result of a genetic anomaly or syndrome are not eligible. To ensure consistency in cord blood stem cell processing, storage, and release for infusion, CBR is the only stem cell bank providing clients for the study.

......
......

Researchers will obtain and process the patients’ stored cord blood for treatment. The cells then will be given to the patients via IV infusion, and patients will be observed for several hours in the hospital.

Patients will return to the hospital to repeat all tests except the MRI at one month and one year, and all tests with an MRI at six months.

“This study is exciting because it might offer a non-surgical option for some children with profound loss,” Linda Baumgartner said. “More importantly, this is the first treatment with the potential to restore normal hearing.”

The new Phase 1 study already began in April 2011 and will end April 2015 although the collection on final study results will end in April 2014. This study will use stem cells from cord blood saved at a cord bank after a baby is born. Stem cells from the deaf baby's cord blood will be done via IV transfusion back into the child. Parents whose deaf children qualify for the trial study will decide whether to try the new procedure or not.

Since this news came out it didn't take long for an outcry in the form of a petition for culturally deaf people and others to decry the IV transfusion stem cell study as:

....inhumane and unethical and condemn this hospital, corporation, other collaborators and the FDA for treating our Deaf infants in this experiment as their guinea pigs.

The original petitioner went so far as to claim such procedure as dangerous and that it carries "long lasting risks" but never elaborated on exactly what those "long lasting risks" are. However, there is a similar but previous safety study using cord blood stem cells on children with cerebral palsy age 1 to 12 years old that began in January 2010. Final data collection on outcome ends in February 2012 which is next month.  Ironically, there appears to be no objection from any particular protest group for this IV transfusion safety study for babies and older on reversing their cerebral palsy condition.

The MCG team follows on the heels of a pilot study at Duke University which is exploring if cord blood can be readily applied to infant’s with palsy like symptoms in the first two weeks after birth. Both teams are looking to verify the anecdotal evidence that cord stem cells can be used to ‘cure’ CP children. If successful, the work at MCG and Duke University may provide parents with hope that storing a child’s cord blood could be an effective shield against cerebral palsy.

Cord blood IV transfusions have been done in children and adults.

To be safe, most cord blood transplants done so far have been in children and smaller adults. Researchers are now looking for ways to use cord blood for transplants in larger adults.

This first ever FDA approved study on hearing restoration (sensorineural hearing loss) for deaf children describes the study:

Acquired sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by a loss of functioning hair cells in the Organ of Corti, with greater hair cell loss correlating with more severe hearing impairment. Children with sensorineural hearing loss experience difficulty developing normal language which usually leads to poor academic and social development. Currently, there are no reparative therapeutic options available, and treatments are designed to augment the diminished function of the injured Organ of Corti.


Pre-clinical data suggest progenitor cell infusions may enhance intrinsic repair mechanisms in the Organ of Corti which may restore hair cells. This treatment could ultimately lead to hearing improvement. Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) is an available, autologous, stored progenitor cell population available for potential therapeutic use. The primary objective of this study is to determine the safety of autologous hUCB infusion in children with acquired hearing loss. The secondary objective is to determine if functional, physiologic and anatomic outcomes are improved following hUCB treatment in this patient population.

This may turn out to be a promising result since it says that pre-clinical data suggest that such a procedure may restore hair cells thus lead to hearing improvement. This is obviously a much more natural process, if proved successful, involving the baby's own stem cells from the baby's umbilical cord (cord blood) could ultimately turn out to be much better option than cochlear implants. In fact, if successful would shorten the prediction time scale to seveal years on a reversing sensorineural hearing loss instead of a few decades away. Over a year and half a ago in my blog I commented that in 2004 a prediction was made that an application for hearing loss rather than a cure could be at least twenty years away (or by 2024) by Dr. Rubel. In another article in 2004 Dr. Rivolta said a cure could be possible in 10 to 15 years away (by 2014 to 2019). In 2009 in the Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Ear Institute's newsletter quoted believing they could be 10 years away (or 2019) from a cure at the earliest possible timeline. But most scientists seem to concur that a cure or a very applicable treatment on reversing hearing loss would be seen within their (the scientists') lifetime...and that's not very far off folks.

2012 - the year of synergism for Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing owned businesses

Happy New Year readers and fans!

I think 2012 will be the year where synergy would begin to emerge among Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing business owners. On a Facebook page "Meet Deaf CEOs" supported by Convo Relay (a deaf owned and operated VRS technology company) it shows pictures of at least 140 separate deaf-run business owners (e.g. CEOs, executive officers, etc) put on display in a show of marketing power and business spirit. Quite exciting to see that list growing. But what's disheartening is to see no pictures of deaf and hard of hearing business owners as non-signers sitting alongside with Deaf business owners.

Bear with me here for a moment. 

When it comes to running a business I don't like to use the word "entrepreneur" anymore because it doesn't quite accurately reflect what business owners do even though running a business is a risky financial venture in of itself.  After 5 years some 60 to 70 percent of new businesses would have already failed in today's depressed economic climate compared to 10 years ago when the percentage was at 50 percent where new businesses would have failed after 5 years. For those who run and own their own businesses I call them "innovators" because that is what they do, they innovate. They inspire. They introduce something that's new for their customers and clients. It could be a new product, idea, service or a business concept. Moving from a concept that was once a stodgy, heavy, and slow to something that now require a bit of shove to change people's mindset, status quo and backward thinking. Business owners are the dreamers. They are the designers. They are the innovators. 

In the history of Video Relay Service (VRS) business Ed Bosson is widely recognized as the "Father of Video Relay Services" who began a trial experimentation on VRS in 1995, a time when the World Wide Web was making it's presence in public.

While managing the statewide 7-1-1 service with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), he pioneered VRS with a four-city trial then a statewide trial, both in 1995.

Ed Bosson, who is Deaf,  relayed a powerful message on what he has learned about the power to bridge the communication gap regardless of hearing status by recounting how hearing parents reacted to using the new VRS for the first time with their deaf children.

"I got many calls from weeping parents who for the first time were able to communicate comfortably with their kids."

That was back in 1995 some 16 years ago. A powerful reminder that communication technology is the most important key for the successful linking between deaf and hearing people.

Seven years later in 2002, another rising communication technology company, sComm, was able to finally market this face-to-face communication technology product in 2006 called the UbiDuo. sComm is one of the 140 deaf CEOs listed in Convo Relay's Facebook. The company's product also produced powerful results helping realize that communication technology, again, is a crucial component and key in bridging the communication gap between hearing and deaf people. And it, too, produced the same story of heartfelt appreciations from hearing parents on using a new communication technology to communicate with their deaf children as did with the Ed Bosson's story.

"I cannot find a word to describe our joy and relief to see Dana and his family finally be able to communicate freely after waiting 50 years. For us, his parents, to watch the joy on the faces of all the family, to hear them express it in words and actions, and to see Dana be able to spend several hours doing nothing but communicating with the family was an incredible experience. It was his 'time to talk' and no note pad needed."

Indeed, no note pad needed.

That's the definition of synergism in action which is the "interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements" such as seeing the contribution of a communication technology between Deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and hearing people whether they know sign language or not by bringing them together. That's the money shot. That's the ultimate key for success. The ability to market themselves as business entities and be seen as valuable innovators and contributors to society. That's where the value lies when it comes to surviving in today's harsh business climate where a business cannot afford to alienate potential customers and clients whether they're Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing people regardless of communication preferences. Communication technology helps bridge that mysterious and even tenuous communication access that we all seek.

Only recently I am noticing this synergism which is starting to spread among innovators and facilitators such as the Business Convention and Expo of the Deaf, Deaf Nation, Synergistic Business Solutions, and even the The M Project, for example. But the one thing that I find missing is the lack of synergism seen between Deaf, deaf/hh, and hearing people.  Which is why I've kind of wrinkled my nose when I saw the list of names of only Deaf CEOs in Convo Relay's Facebook. This is by no means a negative thing here. I'm simply bringing up a larger question to the forefront and ask why aren't deaf and hard of hearing business innovators who happen to be non-signers not included in this whole synergistic process? In order for businesses to survive they must continuously reach out and seek like minded people when business survival is crucial in an ailing U.S. economy, especially when communication technology is ripening under their noses. They simply need to take advantage of it - lock, stock and barrel.  Focusing exclusively or primarily on Deaf businesses and innovators will only guarantee a limited growth and success. But for us as Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing people we do have the upper advantage over our hearing business competitors. We know what to look for because the bottom line for all of us has always been about communication access. There are 36 million of us in the United States. I'd say that's an awfully big niche market to tap into. Even more so would be to tap into the rest of the population of hearing people because communication technology is already available to help ensure that opportunity.

The stage continues to ripen as we speak, more years ahead of us.

For example, let's take a look at this newly opened Deaf owned and run pizza business in San Francisco, California called Mozzeria that opened their doors on December 9, 2011. They use both the ZVRS telecommunication technology and the UbiDuo face-to-face communication technology (see Mozzeria's Promotional Partners in the blog page section).  If Mozzeria does the right thing by incorporating the necessary communication technology strategy and approach, they can only succeed on bringing in more hearing and deaf customers to the tables whether they know sign language or not. I was once a manager for Domino's Pizza in Maryland back in 1992/93, I know what it's like to run and operate a pizza business as a hard of hearing person. Communication has always been essential between employees and loyal customers. It's not an easy thing to maintain and this was before we had any of these communication technology we see today for deaf and hard of hearing people. It can only get better because we are already here......now.


Here's my bold prediction.

I predict that a deaf owned and run company will someday become the Apple or Google version, not necessarily the equivalent, with its ability to foster, enable and encourage innovation among deaf and hard of hearing employees.  This company would be run and operated mainly by deaf and hard of hearing people along with their many hearing co-workers where language and communication preferences would not be a barrier but an inspiration to learn from each other regardless of hearing or cultural status. A place where anyone could walk into a building and instantly become aware of this intuitive concept called "real time communication access." A concept where communication could be done effortlessly at any time of the day with anyone, anywhere, Deaf or not. Technology would ultimately be key in making this dream become a reality where visual and verbal communications would merge seamlessly as one. This would be a matter of time until it happens but we're already seeing signs of this happening right now. But for this to work everybody needs to be a part of this new reality and future by including deaf and hard of hearing business owners who are innovators in their own right. They are a part of a much larger number of innovators than Deaf innovators. But why should Deaf business owners include them? Well, these deaf and hard of hearing business owners struggle, too. And it makes a lot of sense to include them in this synergistic process. Efforts should be made to reach out and include them on a regular basis. We all have the one thing in common and that's the issue of communication access. That's the one common and constant theme for those who deal with deafness on a daily basis.

The time is now. It's 2012. Welcome to the new year.

Innovate. Inspire. Inquire. Indulge. Incorporate!

Seek that new synergy and become even more successful. We cannot afford not to.

Dutch pianist loses hearing...continues to play.

Here's a subtitled video of a Dutch pianist who lost his hearing due to ear infection. He was able to push through his deafness and continue to play and compose music while the sound of piano notes remained in his head. But in the end he never took for granted the ability to hear once he regained all of his hearing back.

Lotte Sofie...the little Norwegian girl

Here's a neat blog about a young girl named Lotte Sofie who was born deaf in 2002. She received her implant in 2004. It's a blog that chronicles the little implanted girl from 2002 (implanted in Nov 2004) to today 9 years later. At age 9 Lotte decided that she wanted to learn Norwegian sign language despite having three spoken languages in Norwegian, Dutch and learning English. Kind of funny for a deaf girl with a CI making the decision to sign. Lotte Sofie displays a musical aptitude where she can sing, play the piano and guitar.  So, take your time and read this history in motion of a little Norwegian girl who was implanted at age 2.

Below is a quick summary of her progress:

(Some) Milestones

• 2010-08: Grade 3
• 2009-08: Grade 2
• 2008-08: Mainstream School (6y. old)
• 2006-10: All-hearing Kindergarten (4y. old)
• 2004-11-22: CI activated (27 m. old)
• 2004-10-04: Bi-lateral CI (26 m. old)
• 2003-08: Deaf/HOH/CI Pre-school/"DEAF" Kindergarten (12m. old)
• 2003-07: HA's fitted (11 m. old)
• 2003-06: Diagnosed deaf. Start sign-language (10m. old)
• 2002-11: Suspicion loss of hearing (4 m. old)
• 2002-08: Born - A fierce LION

Patient dear...

Hard to believe that some deaf people would actually get upset over the word "patient" as seen in the photo on the left. A sign that says, "Hearing & Speech Center. Patient Parking Only. Violators Will Be Towed." That sign is located on the campus of Gallaudet University.

One commenter starts first:

The most disturbing of all signposts shown in the video is “Hearing & Speech Center : __Patient Parking Only__” (emphasis mine). The word “Patient” insults all deaf students’ intelligence! So unbelievable. Why do students not protest?

And then others follow and chime in.

A “patient” is a person who is sick. Being Deaf or hard-of-hearing is not an illness or medical disaster.

And more....

Hearing and Speech Center for Patient Parking Only? OMFG! The gloves are coming off! Calling Deaf people “patients” is deemed offensive because there is nothing wrong with us. Gally is for students, not patients. WTF is matter with that Hearing and Speech Center people to decide on that?!?

We need to do something about that. JJ, they’re not grasping the straws. I don’t know what has gotten into you lately but yet I’ve noticed you’re starting to divide the Deaf just like others. Divide needs to STOP! I mean it. I’m sick of that.

Let’s NOT talk about the students and video, JUST DROP THAT! We need to focus on that signs and the words “Hearing Speech and Center” and “Patient”. We need to hear from Gally President, Board of Trustee and staff….or anybody who came up with that! Let’s focus on that.

Let's look at the definition of "patient" in the noun form and not as an adjective:

1a : an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment b : the recipient of any of various personal services.
2: one that is acted upon.

There are many ways to be a patient. You can be a patient receiving psychological counseling. You can be a patient on getting your teeth cleaned at a dentist. You can be a patient receiving surgical care. You can be a patient in getting your annual flu shot. You can be a patient in getting your hearing test done at an audiology clinic. You can be a patient in getting your hearing aid fitted or getting a new ear mold set up at the audiology clinic. You can be a patient receiving speech therapy to help improve diction.  You can be a patient at a counselor office getting counseling advice. To be a patient does not necessarily mean in terms of being sick or unhealthy or that one is suffering. It all depends on the situation. It all depends on perspective. If all else fails, call them "clients" instead.  As for "Hearing and Speech Center" go here for my opinion on that part.

Addendum: Full meltdown mode in process. Proceed at your own risk.

Seriously, now.

Just the facts, Ma'am.

I'm not sure what the deal is here with DP on going after me, Candy and Ann_C other than it's nothing more than another witch hunt over a difference of opinions under the guise of "facts" and which people have more "credibility" (note the underline bold throughout): 

On one hand, we have Amy Cohen Efron, a deaf ASL user who has a Master’s degree and works solely in the Deaf Community. We have MishkaZena, a formerly oral deaf person who now uses ASL fluently. She holds two Master’s degrees and has worked extensively in the Deaf Community. And you have me – a native ASL deaf user, who has a bachelor of science degree and has worked/volunteered extensively in the Deaf Community. All of us three have done some form of scholarly research on the Deaf Community. We’ve read books, professional journal articles, attended classes and professional workshops focusing on various issues in the Deaf Community. We participate and subscribe to an email list serv for deaf academics. And it is very easy to find out MishkaZena and my real names – our real identities are not a secret.

On the other hand, we have Mike M, Ann_C and Candy. Nearly nothing is known about Ann_C. We do not know her real name, nor whether if she holds a college degree. The only thing we know is that she is an oral deaf/severely hard of hearing person who, by her own admission, infrequently uses American Sign Language. She has not mentioned working or volunteering within the Deaf Community, or even having friends who use ASL. I have not seen her discuss reading scholarly books, journal articles or the like, about the Deaf Community. From what I’ve gathered so far from her, the only information Ann_C gets about the Deaf Community, is from the v/blogs.

Mike M is hard of hearing and holds a baccalaureate degree. To my knowledge, he does not work or volunteer in the Deaf Community and primarily uses his voice to communicate. McConnell even wrote once on his blog, which post has apparently been deleted or buried under the reams and reams of posts, that he thought there was something such as too much education. As far as I’ve seen, he has not discussed whether after graduating from Gallaudet, if he has read any scholarly books, journals or the like on the Deaf Community.

And we have Candy. Very little is known about this woman. She appears to be a hard of hearing woman who claims to sign. She has not mentioned whether she works or volunteers in the Deaf Community. Word has it that Candy only has a high school diploma, since she is a college dropout, but we don’t know that for sure, since she has refused to disclose her credentials or her real name. Candy has mentioned that she refuses to read Harlan Lane’s Mask of Benevolence, because she heard it was too biased. Aside from the proclamation of refusal, Candy has not discussed reading any scholarly books, journal articles or the like, on the Deaf Community. And lastly, her claim to expertise regarding the Deaf Community, is supposedly due to her being from a Deaf family and her sister being a high school teacher.

The questions now for all of you to consider are – who do you hold as being more credible on the Deaf Community issues? Whose ideas will you primarily draw from, so you can then help obtain what’s in the best interests for the Deaf Community? Which ideas will you hold as being credible?

What I see here appears to be an attempt to try and out individuals like Ann_C and others under the guise of "just the facts, ma'am" under a topic of who is "more credible." Incredible! All this reminds me like the time when Candy was exposed last year when her real name was revealed which resulted in people who didn't like her contacted her employer in the effort to try and get her into trouble because of a difference of opinions over her blogs fearing the boogeyman was out to destroy their ideology on Deaf culture. Ironically, in Candy's blog she wrote last year "A bully responds to Anti-Bullying Effort!" you can read what DP wrote in the comment section (note the bold):

People need to start filing reports with the police for harassment about these trying to get them fired for no good reason.

It’s one thing to complain about public servants behaving badly, but trying to out private citizens who blog anonymously, then trying to get them fired from their jobs, is just wrong.

Yet in DP's blog she goes after Ann_C, who is a private citizen, and attempted to identify her as much as possible and said,

Nearly nothing is known about Ann_C. We do not know her real name, nor whether if she holds a college degree. The only thing we know is that she is an oral deaf/severely hard of hearing person who, by her own admission, infrequently uses American Sign Language. She has not mentioned working or volunteering within the Deaf Community, or even having friends who use ASL. I have not seen her discuss reading scholarly books, journal articles or the like, about the Deaf Community. From what I’ve gathered so far from her, the only information Ann_C gets about the Deaf Community, is from the v/blogs.

All this has a writing of a dressing down in the effort to compartmentalize each of us into bite size pieces in the attempt to identify who we are and what we have done or not done and whether we fit into their ideological mold. Despite Ann_C's unknown status of who she is (which is not at all important nor necessary to know except by insecure people) as a blogger what DP just did reminded me of time when Ann_C and White Ghost (a frequent commenter) who were once threatened to be outed someday by a commenter in Ann_C's own blog. All this undermining efforts just because of a difference in opinions.

Last year Ann_C wrote "A Moral Compass" where she astutely observed:

V/bloggers, commenters, and readers alike all have seen this monster rear its ugly head online. And it’s an ugly head, no matter what shape it takes on: online personal attacks, cyber-harassment, hijacking of a thread, email threats, organizational bullying, online outting of a v/blogger’s real name, letters written to one’s employer, frivolous lawsuits, real-life threats/stalking, physical confrontations, ad nauseam.

Is it because of the target’s opinion/ view? No, it’s because the attacker dropped his moral compass in the angry desire to hit back at the person he disagreed with.

Pretty ironic considering what has just transpired today. And then you have DP who run by that familiar line again on Candy as someone who is "very little known."

And we have Candy. Very little is known about this woman. She appears to be a hard of hearing woman who claims to sign. She has not mentioned whether she works or volunteers in the Deaf Community. Word has it that Candy only has a high school diploma, since she is a college dropout, but we don’t know that for sure, since she has refused to disclose her credentials or her real name. Candy has mentioned that she refuses to read Harlan Lane’s Mask of Benevolence, because she heard it was too biased. Aside from the proclamation of refusal, Candy has not discussed reading any scholarly books, journal articles or the like, on the Deaf Community. And lastly, her claim to expertise regarding the Deaf Community, is supposedly due to her being from a Deaf family and her sister being a high school teacher.

Excuse me, her name was revealed last year thanks to zealous overbearing morons. But remember, it's "just the fact's, ma'am" when DP said:

All I did was to present facts here, then let the readers draw their own conclusions. If you interpret that as arrogant… well. So be it.

Facts? Or is this really an attempt to undermine and out individuals just because you disagree with their opinions like on what Ann_C opined in Amy Cohen's blog? It's one thing to disagree and state your arguments but it's entirely another thing to try and do this whole dressing down business that has an air of trying to out people of their full identities, and in a tone that would encourage other readers to try do more of the dirty work to do more of the outing business.

And then you have me that DP went after and it was a bit bizarre read, too.

Mike M. is hard of hearing and holds a baccalaureate degree. To my knowledge, he does not work or volunteer in the Deaf Community and primarily uses his voice to communicate. McConnell even wrote once on his blog, which post has apparently been deleted or buried under the reams and reams of posts, that he thought there was something such as too much education. As far as I’ve seen, he has not discussed whether after graduating from Gallaudet, if he has read any scholarly books, journals or the like on the Deaf Community.

For the record, as I have said before in my blogs, I have a B.A. degree in Math from Gallaudet University and a M.S. degree in Geology from University of Idaho. I even got accepted for a PhD study at University of Maryland, too, along with a $5000 NASA  grant with the help of Gallaudet University. Yet I chose a better route than to get a PhD and that was time to start having a career. What's really bizarre is when DP wrote about having too much education claiming I said something like that.

"......even wrote once on his blog that he thought there was something such as too much education." 

Too much education of what? What the heck is that supposed to mean?  What a bunch of rambling nonsense here that doesn't make an ounce of sense. I've always held the philosophy that in life one never stop learning.  And what does it matter on whether I've read any scholarly books or journals about the Deaf community has to do with any of this? Maybe you missed this one?

DP has an opinion about credibility. Her views are her own and not representative of every single person in the Deaf community. People do have valid opinions regarding the Deaf community and such. Heck, I am a representative Gallaudet University. I represent Gallaudet University since I graduated from Gallaudet University. Nothing can take that away from me. If I opine that's not popular or agreeable by other people then that's not really my problem. But it does become a problem when people who disagree with people they don't like and get into this outing business. It simply gets way too personal. And from the looks of things, DP decided to hit back at three people whom she disagreed with in her blog using "just the facts, ma'am" bunk defense in the attempt to out people.

Not cool.

Addendum:  For those who say she doesn't "out" people, well, I beg to differ.

Allegedly?  It's been over a year since she was outed.

Addendum II on what Ann_C said:

I would have been glad to offer my view had DP's post not gone into a witch-hunt but instead asked me directly what I meant. She did get to it finally in a comment after a barbed exchange, but by that time, she'd already written me off. *shrug*

I was expressing the opinion that the video was pandering to deaf issues, and I still stand by that. With the approaching holidays and ten ppl coming to my house, I didn't have time to write a lengthy explanation under ACE's blog.

Btw, pls do read Anony the Great's analysis of that PPT in Candy's Who Let Out the Signage Out blog. It reflected a great deal of what my response was to that PPT.

Have a good holiday.

Ann_C

Happy holidays, ya'll. Btw, PPT = powerpoint.

Addendum III: Ann_C wrote a rebuttal to DP in the comment section below where I am copying and pasting it here:

Since Deaf Pundit closed her comment section under her "A Matter of Credibility" blog and didn't publish my last three comments, I believe my unpublished comments should go on the record:

"Lol, in all the time I've been blogging/commenting online, I've never claimed to be an expert nor have I ever claimed to represent the whole deaf community.

OTOH, a person who claims to be a Deaf E-X-P-E-R-T does have the problem of credibility, because she professes to speak for all of the deaf community.

Deaf E-X-P-E-R-T-ise as "standard operating procedure"?

Ooooooh I'm SCARED-- *trembling hands in the air*
Run for them thar' hills, folks, the Deaf Inquisition is coming!!!!

*********snort*"

The asterisks ran off the first comment page without the word "snort". That's why I sent two more comments, trying to put in the word "snort", which finally showed up on the third comment, ok?

That's it.

Ann_C

And you know what DP said?

Ann_C… I read your last 3 (unpublished) comments and the only thing I have to say to you is that I truly do feel sorry for you.

That means technically Ann_C wrote only one comment while the other two were exactly the same except for the number of asterisks that were too long and she had to re-write it again. What DP said sure made it sound like Ann_C wrote three separate and different scathing comments or something like that.  *smh*

Signs or No Signs?

Ah, another one of those rounds of shocked outrage over....signs. No, not sign language or ASL but as in signage like stop signs, directional signs, billboard signs, advertising signs and so forth. The little outrage is just beginning to trickle over a video piece regarding the numerous "Hearing and Speech Center" (HSC) signage in various spots on the campus of Gallaudet University.

For those who don't know the Hearing and Speech Center is:

one of the largest of its kind in the DC area and provides a wide array of services to the Gallaudet community, their family members, and the local community. Services include: an Assistive Devices Center, audiologic evaluation, aural rehabilitation, cochlear implant services, hearing aid services, speech reading classes, and speech-language pathology services.

The Center is a full service, urban clinic that serve the Gallaudet University community and the greater Washington DC area. A full service commitment to all those communities whether deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf, or hearing.

You know what? I think having those signs in place as designed provide an important strategic outcome for the Deaf community. First, those signs help hearing parents of deaf/hh children find their way by directing them to the location of the Hearing and Speech Center for their appointments. You get new clients and patients all the time and many of them are not familiar with Gallaudet University campus layout. Those directional signs on campus help point the way. While parents with their kids wind their way through campus they would get to see a campus full of kids, students, staff, and professors signing as they make their way to the center. You have exposure right there. Imagine if Gallaudet University didn't have that full service Hearing and Speech Center? All those kids with hearing aids or cochlear implants would not ever step foot on the campus of Gallaudet University but instead it'd take place at another hearing and speech service elsewhere whose grounds and offices would probably be sterile of any signing exposure. Not only kids but adults who use Gallaudet's HSC would also be exposed to a signing community probably for the first time, too.

 Many of those directional signs are placed together with signs for buildings such as "The Field House," "Ely Center," "Gate House," and "Sorenson Language and Communication Center." All in all, I say at the end those directional signs are a way to help bring more exposure to deaf and hard of hearing kids (and their parents) and hearing people by helping to direct them through a campus full of signing people by making it friendly and inviting for those arriving on campus for the very first time. What better way to slowly introduce them to a signing community and culture?

Gallaudet University Google Earth from 1949 - 2010

Can you spot the changes?


Gif webcam

Robin Williams and Koko the Gorilla - video

Looks like Koko the Gorilla found a new playmate.

Gallaudet University's holiday video....no signing II

Looking back on what I wrote today about the recent holiday video that apparently upset a few people. It is a video produced by Gallaudet University that includes Dr. Hurwitz shown at the end of the video where he signed and used his voice (starting at the 16:44 mark). And then I remembered something. It was the International Congress on the Education of the Deaf's (ICED) statement about a "A New Era: Deaf Participation and Collaboration" where they issued a global call to "accept and respect all languages and all forms of communication" in the education of deaf people. ICED made sure that the message is to accept and respect all forms of communication be loud and clear. Nothing was said about which ones MUST be used but rather they all MUST be accepted and respected. All forms of communication need to be accepted and respected. That's what I saw in Gallaudet University's holiday video as well. That is what Dr. Hurwitz embraced.

Gallaudet University's holiday video....no signing

At the 3:54 minute mark in a Gallaudet University's video on how holidays are celebrated in different countries as explained by different people, Oluyinka "Yinka" Fakunle who is the part of the Communications and Public Relations Staff as an Administrative Secretary discusses her holiday tradition by talking and not sign. However, we don't know when she was hired or how long she was at Gallaudet University.



Gallaudet University's communication policy:

2.2 Policy Concerning Bilingualism
Gallaudet University is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet University’s mission as a unique educational institution is inextricably bound to the need for direct, accessible communication among students and faculty. To that end, all members of the University Faculty are committed to promoting bilingual communication. The University is committed to providing training and resources, as needed, to support all members of the Faculty in developing the necessary language skills.

The video provides captioning and meets, as a minimum, Gallaudet University's policy guideline that the communication be direct, comprehensible and accessible. In Yinka's case hers is not a bilingual example. Secondly, the video is not in a classroom setting and those in the video volunteered to speak. Third, before ya'll get huffy, we don't know the circumstances or reason behind Yinka not signing in the video. We don't even know how long she's been at Gallaudet University and may have been recently hired.  This has happened before when people got unnecessarily angry and ugly at a deaf professor who talked at a Gallaudet University's graduation commencement speech instead of signing. For the sake of fluidity and speed, and perhaps not enough signing skill to start with Yinka choose to speak instead. And lastly, Yinka should not in any way be reprimanded, retaliated against or scolded for speaking in that video.

For those who already accessed Yinka's email account and wrote nasty emails to her in response to the video, shame on you! If you're thinking about writing a nasty email to her, don't! The people in charge of the video-taping and editing choose to keep Yinka in that video as part of Gallaudet University's video on "How Does Gallaudet University Celebrate the Holidays?" Go talk to them first before going after Yinka. She should be given the widest latitude in this circumstance. Regardless of the outcome, the real question shouldn't be about Yinka's communication preference but the people who made that video. At least it was captioned and we all should be thankful for that. Nobody missed out on anything in that video.  And it doesn't hurt to show a bit of diversity, either....as long as communication access is readily available just like when I did my speech without signing in 2007 at Gallaudet University.

When bullies go after kids with cochlear implants

Here's a good story about a deaf boy who had to take a stand and defend himself against a bully. I'm not sure if it's because he was bullied because he wore a cochlear implant but in the end the deaf boy ultimately stood his ground.

There comes a point in all of our lives when we reach a limit and we are forced to defend ourselves. Bullies beware of a deaf child wearing a cochlear implant who will take no more shit.

I think many of us who wore hearing aids while growing up in regular or mainstreamed school were sometimes targeted because we were easily identified as a deaf/hh person. But for me growing up I never considered myself as being bullied because I always stood my ground and fought back. Only a couple instances happened in my life while as a kid I can remember clearly when I was in the 6th grade and 10th grade. I was never the one to back down if anybody ever thought I was easy picking. It helped that I had years of wrestling experience and have won tournaments. I had a great time going to regular school (4th thru 12 grade) and had a great many number of hearing friends while growing up. I played and competed in baseball, soccer, wrestling sports and school band competitions and made friends as well. I can't ever recall a bad time going to regular school starting in the 4th grade to 12th. The same goes for at a time when I went to a school with an oral program up to the 2nd grade at Birney School in Tacoma, and then entered a mainstreamed school at 3rd grade and eventually went to regular school starting in the 4th grade ever since.  I know others who have truly experienced bullying and were unable or didn't want to defend themselves had the brunt of it. But in my life, I don't dwell on constantly painting myself as a victim. In fact, I never saw myself as a victim at any stage of my life. As the old cliche goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And by that convention you can certainly come out on top. 

Round Peg in a Square Hole - LOL MEME

To expand cartoon panel go here.

Enjoy. 

The most accessible stadium...evah!

I've said this over four years ago at Gallaudet University while giving my  speech presentation regarding technology and communication access in the future. I explained that technology will play a major role in how we will interact with anyone on and off campus. Today we continue to see this happening as communication access technology slowly unfold before us such as voice recognition smart phone to text feature. As for entertainment communication access here's a video of Kevin McGuire, an attorney and an ADA consultant, pointing out features accessible for all patrons with mobility, sight, and hearing impairments at Gillette Stadium. A positive example of how a business can become the most accessible business to wide ranging number of people.  This is a true example of how the use of technology and engineering combined can easily make accommodations a part of every day business and still be successful. Gillette Stadium is not just for baseball but certainly for football as well and for any other venue event.

New hearing aid style....punkish

I can't exactly say this is the kind of hearing aid people would desire for but I'd give them credit for being this creative. What you're seeing in this photo is a hearing aid. Yes. A hearing aid. Go here and learn more about this really strange idea of a hearing aid design.  If you're hard of hearing and are into this sort of punk-type of jewelry design for your ear...lobes....you might want to try this one out, if you can afford it. I imagine it'd be expensive considering not many would wear it in that fashion.