Check out Yahoo news re: Deaf preschooler asked to change his name sign because some say it resembles a weapon...REALLY?

I've watched this video and it is a shame it has gone this far! SEE is this boys language and his modified "Hunter" symbol is far from threatening... 
Click here for the full story and video, then tell us your thoughts...

Any Deaf Events Left This Summer?

Hey guys and gals,
What's going on yet this summer? Deaf Events or other events with interpretation? Anything at the Puyallup Fair or??? Fill me in and share your plans right here!
Thanks!

Needed: ASL ITP books or DVD's

I am in search of ASL ITP course books or DVD's either for free or at a reasonable price. The ITP program at Seattle Central Community College is no longer available and I am trying to figure out how to further my interpretive skills while waiting on a new program to begin locally. Please help~ thank you.

Girl Scouts deny Deaf girl's needs... What do you think?

Read the article posted on this link to the NAD site and give us your view please.

This blog seeks to bring awareness to discrimination and other controversial issues affecting the Deaf community, as well as to inform of great events and other relevant issues. Your feedback/comments will make this an even better blog... become a follower today and share this blog with your friends!

Breast Cancer Sucks! You Can Help Find A Cure!

Hello there! I have less than 30 days left to reach my personal fundraising goal for the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure! You can help more than you know by supporting my efforts, and in exchange... I will do the walking for you! 60 miles over 3 days... whew! Training is gearing up... 18 miles this Saturday. We will be the one's in pink! When you see us out walking... Honk your horn, wave, and show us your encouraging smiles! See donation links at bottom of this letter to donate on line or by mail~thanks!

One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes in the U.S., and somewhere in the world every 19 seconds. And every 74 seconds ~ someone dies from breast cancer. That is why I am walking and fundraising for the 3-Day. I will join thousands of walkers and crew members in the Susan G. Komen Seattle 3-Day. I am walking 60 miles over three days to demonstrate my determination in finding a cure for breast cancer. Because everyone deserves a lifetime. Chances are that you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer in their lifetime. Consider your donation as a powerful tribute to them. Every mother, every aunt, every sister, every daughter deserves a life without breast cancer.

I served as a crew member on the (Judy Kent) 3-Day kitchen crew, giving my all in service to the walkers for three days. The work I did supported thousands of dedicated walkers and required that I rose before dawn, and worked late into the evenings – I actually loved the two nights in a pink tent! It was an amazing experience each year getting to know the survivors and meeting many wonderful women and men whose lives were all touched in some way by breast cancer. I too have family and friends who have battled breast cancer and other cancers.

I had been on training walks with the Olympia/Lacey team of Hello Cupcakes each season, but remained a kitchen crew member ~ and loved every minute! Everyone on the Hello Cupcake team has a “Cake” name; and last year while training with them, I was asked why I continued to train if I was going to be a crew member? When I explained that I loved to just soak in all the inspiration from their encouraging stories of struggle and survival and determination... I was named “Sponge Cake” and decided right then that the next year I wanted to do more! Well, it's next year! Although my summer was filled with much busyness with a total of 3 family graduations and my son's wedding... I recently managed to get my 2012 training and fundraising underway.

I am raising a minimum of $2300 in donations. I had a huge yard sale and raised $175 in sales/donations and have another planned for Sept.1st. This cause is very important to me, and with my determination and your support too, I know that I can do this!

Susan G. Komen™ works hard to build a future without breast cancer, and my goal is to help bring us closer to that goal. Net proceeds support ground breaking research and scientific programs as well as grants fro education, screening and treatment programs at both the national and local level. No breast cancer organization provides more support than Komen. Millions of women rely on Komen everyday. Please consider matching my $60 donation today, or out give me! You can donate at The3Day.org ~ under my name, or by using my personalized enclosed donation form ~ in any amount that works for you. No donation is too big – or too small.

 

See how your donation could be used:

$35 (Could be used to provide the cost of patient transportation to a treatment session.)

$60 (Could be used to support a 3-Day® walker for her/his 60-mile journey.)

$120 (Could be used to provide the cost of a life-saving mammogram.)

$250 (There are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in America.)

$585 (The average 3-Day walker will walk 585 miles while training.)

$1150 (Get your 3-Day walker halfway to their fundraising goal.)

Thank you for your support,
Sincerely,

Kelly Lynne Murray

Participant ID: 2931836

Seattle; Hello Cupcake

***My Personal Page:Highlight the link below and open in a new tab to donate online:
 

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2012/SeattleEvent2012?px=2931836&pg=personal&fr_id=1769

P.S. Don't wait – please donate today!

Susan G. Komen 3-Day™. BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES A LIFETIME^®.

©2012 Susan G. Komen™

To mail in a donation; please print the document from the following link. Thank you. 

http://www.the3day.org/site/TRGiftForm?fr_id=1769&px=2931836

Ryan Schlecht's One Man Show: The Vivacity of ASL, Voice Interpretation

THIS LOOKS TO BE A GREAT SHOW!
Tickets are only $20
If you have seen this before; give us your review here...
If there are other shows coming soon you want to tell us about... do that too!
Thanks!

http://www.strangertickets.com/events/5621636/the-vivacity-of-asl

Guest Post by John Peter Walsh; My 2 Weeks at Gallaudet

Attending Gallaudet University is not like enrolling in any

college. It's like entering the world of the Deaf.

There are three separate two week summer sessions of

intensive ASL instruction. Six hours of classes daily, plus after

school video preparations, dining in the cafeteria and living in

dorms. Speech will make you as popular as someone answering

a cell phone during a symphony performance.

I stayed at Gallaudet from 7/15-7/27/12. The first day is a little

hectic and confusing as you learn your way around campus and hook up on Gallaudet's private e-mail and video system. However, 24 hours in,

I felt right at home. Gallaudet is the only liberal arts college for the Deaf in the world. I have a Deaf brother and I did not learn to sign with him until in my 30s. No one else in the family ever learned. My brother passed away in 2003 and this trip was not just for language growth;it was about personal, family healing.

The curriculum and teacher were both excellent...more about

that later. The primary reason I would recommend a session at

Gallaudet is the opportunity to sign, day and night, in school, computer lab, library, cafeteria, and dorms. Also, there are frequent signing opportunities in stores and restaurants on or close to campus.

Some students stayed and ate off campus. However, I would

encourage buying a dorm and meal package. The tuition was $660

and a package of twelve days in the dorms plus breakfast and lunch

in the cafeteria cost $720 for a total of $1380. You can purchase

a breakfast, lunch and dinner package but I thought it would be interesting to go out at night and try restaurants that were frequented by Gallaudet students. Dining out did not provide the social and signing opportunities I hoped for, but there were some memorable moments. Not all pleasant.

After my first stressful day, I walked into a restaurant and ordered

a rum and coke. $12. As Dorothy said, "Well Toto, I guess we're

not in Kansas anymore." Most restaurants were reasonable but some

exorbitant.

Stunningly, the food in the cafeteria was excellent. Breakfast

included eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, toast, bagels, fruit plates,

an assortment of healthy cereals and juices. Lunch featured burger and

fries type meals if you were in the mood, but also a great salad bar,

a sandwich bar and one daily special like stir fry chicken and rice.

The last time I ate dorm food was in the 1960s and it was

abysmal, so the Gallaudet cafeteria was a very pleasant surprise.

There were 20 in our class. 19 women and me. Ever wondered

why the interpreter field is dominated by women? I learned at home.

My father was born in 1921. A gentle, loving man but raised

to be the "strong, silent" type. I never saw him cry in my entire life.

My older brother is very stoic, just like my father. If you can't show

emotion with your face, how can you possibly learn to sign well?

Women are much more comfortable than men displaying their emotions and that's why they make better signers.

Fortunately, I cry at the movies or even during sappy commercials,

so that's why I always end up the only male in the class.

Our teacher's name was Edna Johnston. She didn't possess

the hilarious acting skills of Nat Wilson, our teacher at SCCC.

However, she presented an effective curriculum with enthusiasm

and a very positive, supporting attitude. She delivered criticism

always in an encouraging manner and, like Nat, she stayed cheerful

in class at all times and displayed a wonderful sense of humor.

Edna is a Deaf lesbian. She and her partner adopted three

deaf children from Ethiopia. A girl, 7 years, and two boys, 5 years and 15 months. I really honor her for rescuing these children.

One morning the girl and oldest boy came to class for about

an hour to visit in the care of Edna's mother-in-law. The girl

signed at warp speed and obviously enjoys a happy, loving home

life and a positive self image. The boy was more shy, not quite

as effervescent, but also seemed pleasant and well adjusted.

The homework was a series of video presentations that could

be made on any computer in the lab or library. Gallaudet has a program called "Mythread" that allows a student to videotape his assignment and immediately submit it to the teacher. In all honesty, there were some annoying glitches with this program. I always ended up sending in my videos two different ways, because several students sent videos that were lost in cyberspace and had to redo the assignment.

Everyone attended two Deaf related activities in the community

or on campus and delivered a video regarding their impressions. Everyone had to film their textbook work and there were various projects involving room or building descriptions and family life. Almost every evening a project had to be practiced and then filmed.

The temperature frequently hit triple digits...walk outside for

five minutes and wilt. However, every 15 minutes there is an air-conditioned shuttle bus leaving Gallaudet and headed for Union Station.

Once at Union Station, you can take the metro and travel cheaply

to almost anywhere in D.C...Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Capitol Building...in 10-20 minutes. Fortuitously on our weekend off, the temperatures plummeted into the 70s and I spent a wonderful Saturday

walking from the Smithsonian to Chinatown and back to Gallaudet.

Studying at Gallaudet has been a lifelong dream of mine.

On the last day, we all had to give a family related signed presentation.

I spoke of my Deaf brother and his communication separation from

the family and broke down. My teacher and classmates were all

very sweet and supportive.

After the final project, the whole class went out to Chinatown

for lunch and celebrated.

If ASL is one of your passions, I would heartily endorse

at least a summer session at Gallaudet. I'd love to study there for

a year if I dwelled in a higher income bracket.

Guest Post by John O'Connor; Help Reduce the Risk of Hearing Loss With Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Help Reduce the Risk of Hearing Loss With Healthy Lifestyle Changes
People who are at risk of hearing loss or those who are already hard of hearing can still reduce their risk of incurring further damage by taking some simple steps. The ears, like the rest of the body, are affected by what we eat, drink, and most importantly, listen to. Exposure to loud noises is one of the most common cause of non-age-related hearing loss.
Several types of hearing loss exist, and not all of them respond the same way to treatments and preventative measures. Noise-related hearing loss occurs because of damage to the cells inside the ears. This type of hearing loss is permanent and cannot be cured. If you feel you are losing your hearing, are currently hard of hearing of even experience a degree of deafness, hearing aids may be a good idea in order to help increase your hearing.
The best and most important way to protect hearing is to avoid loud noises. Extremely loud noises such as gunshots and jet planes taking off can cause damage even with short exposure. Noises at the level of a gasoline-powered lawn mower can cause damage after prolonged exposure.
Earplugs are a good investment in your hearing. Choose a type that is rated to reduce decibels across the entire noise spectrum. Noise-canceling headphones can be useful in some circumstances, but are most effective on lower-frequency sounds and may not protect hearing from higher-pitched noises.
In addition to avoiding noise, there is some evidence that eating well can protect your ears. In a study on animals, research noted that a formula of vitamins and minerals protected the hearing of animals exposed to loud noises for long periods of time. The formula contained vitamins A, C, E and the mineral magnesium. The mixture was more effective than the vitamins alone, magnesium alone, or a placebo (UMHS, 2007).
Age-related hearing loss comes from a number of sources, including noise exposure during earlier life. However, it is also affected by genetics and health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease (URMC, 2012). Eating well and exercising regularly can help prevent these conditions, which should then reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss.
Hearing loss may not be wholly preventable, but there is a lot you can do to reduce the risk. Noise exposure is the most important source of hearing loss in people under 65, and it can be entirely prevented. Age-related hearing loss can be affected by a healthy lifestyle, although it cannot be entirely prevented because of genetic factors. There are a lot of reasons to live healthy, and maintaining your hearing appears to have been added to the list.

Deaf Athletes in the Olympics?

I was wondering if we had any Deaf athletes in the Olympics, so I did what any curious blogger would do... I googled it! I only came up with a few good links; but two things disturbed me. Firstly, what I found most disturbing is that the Deflympics was just in July and I had no idea! I have to find out how to be better informed on such events for the Deaf community! I missed out and am not happy about that.  Secondly, I read that they actually had to debate the use of hand signals and lights to signal a Deaf swimmer Marcus Titus. Read all about Titus and other Deaf athlete issues from the links below. Enjoy! and comment, share, share:D Thanks

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/usa-swimming-will-allow-hand-signals-to-accommodate-deaf-athletes-at-olympic-trials/2012/04/19/gIQAkcbEUT_story.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf_people_in_the_Olympics


 http://www.deaffootball2012.com/

http://www.2012wdac.org/Public/Home.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/Deaflympics

And the copy of Turn A Deaf Ear goes to...

There were no entries that fulfilled the contest guidelines completely; but in the spirit of giving there were 2 people who each left 2 comments. The first is our blog manager and the second is #
3c74ffa0-dc0d-11e1-82e3-000bcdcb8a73... whoever you are:D
If you are interested in receiving the free book you commented on; please send me your mailing information to my email via this blog. I will pass it along to the publicist and you will receive your copy.
Thank you for your comments.

Final Book Review: Turn A Deaf Ear; Ch 10-12

Enter danger, intrigue, suspense, and a few more characters to keep us inspired til the last line. More about food, family, prejudice, and life's challenges including the Mafia. You simply must read for yourself how this one all ends... I just did, and I am thinking it is worthy of a re-read just for pure pleasure! The Epilogue is a brief history of Deaf struggles, technological advances, and legislation affecting the Deaf community. Visit their website as well at www.turnadeafear.com Thank you so much to publicist Darlene Chan for this great opportunity to review this book and share it with you. There are many of you that read this blog according to my stats... but no one has yet made 3 comments, become a follower, or gotten 3 more followers in order to win a free copy of Turn A Deaf Ear. You still have time tho... read the reviews, make your comments and build the list of followers today!