Today I participated in the NFTA meeting and gave a small speech

Today I was invited to attend an NFTA meeting for the first time. It was my turn to say what I had to say. Colleen handed me the microphone. Now I have not used a microphone in over 15 years, I didn't know how to work it. It was sort of embarrassing the way it squealed when I tried to talk and the sound was bouncing on and off. Anyway, I gave my speech over that microphone. What I mainly discussed was telling them a little bit about my deafness and then I told everyone that I wasn't happy with the services for the deaf passengers in the airports. I told them they need to add closed captioning screens on the airplanes when they do the safety demonstrations, otherwise I will never understand what is going on. And the people at the NFTA meeting did a great job of facing me when they spoke so that I could lipread and they all spoke loud and clear for me. I was absolutely amazed at how well they did to help me understand what was going on in the meeting. So I thanked them all for making me feel welcomed there and for understanding my communication needs. They used the microphone for me and that was very nice of them. So it went well.

Versatile Bloggers Award

Well I have only started blogging in the middle of November 2012 two months ago. And I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by http://blog.theregularguynyc.com/. This guy filbio310, is one of the most amazing and funniest bloggers I have ever come across in a decade. I have to thank him for giving me this wonderful award though I have never seen anything like this before. Be sure to go read his blog, you will never be able to know when to stop laughing. Here's the rules we must follow: Rules: 1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and include a link to their site. 2. Add The Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post. 3. Nominate 8 fellow bloggers that you have recently discovered or follow regularly 4. include a link to their site. 5. Let them know you have nominated them. 6. Share 8 random facts about you. 8 bloggers I'll nominate for this award filbio310 author of What's up with that? More ranting and raving! By http://blog.theregularguynyc.com/ He is one of the most hilarious and funniest writers of all times. http://timkavi.blogspot.com/ is a blog written by timkavi. He is one of the most experienced and talented poets of all times. http://rumpunchdrunk.blogspot.com/ by Rum-Punch Drunk. His blogs are very interesting and amazing. His articles are very thoughtful. It's one of the first blogs I started reading as soon I started blogging. http://www.lifencanvas.com/ by Ric which consists of some wonderful prayers,poems and thoughts about god. This is one special blog you must not miss. Then there's http://www.bloggertrix.com/2013/01/css3-green-cloud-lable-widget-for.html. This blog consists of weekly updates are ideas on how to make your blog look nice with different codes to different kinds of blog widgets. It consists of so much more to learn from when making a blog. http://deafiesinthekitchen.blogspot.com/ This is a blog written by a deaf lady name Kym Bozarth, who explains to you how to bake all kind of things. 8 Random facts about me: 1. I'm probably the only person you will run into that asks you to repeat yourself about 10 times a day. 2. I was born deaf, and have been deaf all my life. People have to get used to repeating things they say to me. 3. I love to laugh at anything that is funny, or about anything that seems to be funny. 4. Usually I like to tell jokes, but people don't usually don't get it when I am telling one. 5. Yes, I wear two hearing aids, but most people don't know that. 6. I love to exercise, and can't do without it. 7. Tennis is my favorite sport. 8. In the summertime I must be outside as much as possible. Just can't let that sun go to waste. Congratulations to those that received the Versatile Award!

About Me-Hearing Aids, can't go without them

Hearing aids are one of the greatest inventions for the needs of the deaf. I would be lost without them. The only times when I don't wear them is when I'm in the pool, or sleeping, or my ears are sore. They can feel uncomfortable at times, but I am used to it. When I was a kid, I had to get a few stitches in my right ear. It seems like the rubbing of the ear molds on the ears can agitate it a little bit. Every 5 years,the audiologist sends me in for a hearing test to get an update on my hearing. When I was little my hearing loss was about 75% in my left ear and 80% in the right. This year I had two hearing tests done at the audiologist. They told me my hearing has gotten much worst. It's now an average of a 90 percent hearing loss in both ears. As a result from the testing, I was told that I can hear better with my left ear all my life. Usually I have to get new hearing aids every 4 to 5 years. They are very expensive. My last pair of hearing aids cost a little bit over 3,000 dollars. Thanks god I discovered they are now covered by my empire plan insurance. This insurance covers up to 1500 dollars per hearing aid, so that's a total of 3,000 all together. So that is a blessing. Sometimes they do break. And it is expensive getting them fixed. I always save an old pair on hand in case this happens. I really don't want to go without wearing the hearing aids, I can't hear anything if I don't. When they are not on, it feels like all the sounds are being shut off. Then I feel uncomfortable going anywhere without them on. Mainly because I can't hear voices, or talking, things like that. I feel lost. It's the similar feeling of listening to your favorite music then someone shuts it off and you can't hear it anymore. You're feeling disappointed. Things I can hear without hearing aids, are doors that slam, or anything really loud. Like things being dropped to the floor, or any kind of banging sound, but that's about it. If someone were to talk right into my hear close up, I would hear that. Strange isn't it? All my life I always wished I wouldn't have to wear hearing aids anymore. Up to this day, I still can't hear without them, so wearing them is a must. They make me feel so different from others. Almost like a bionic robot. When I was little I was ashamed of being seen with them. It just felt weird because I was the only kid in the school that wore hearing aids. It was almost embarrassing for me. When I first got them I had dreams of having a radio button being installed on my hearing aids, and always thought that would be so cool. Well that never happened. As I grew up, lots of people didn't know what hearing aids were. Sometimes I would have to explain to them what they were used for and so on. Up to this day, I still don't want to be seen wearing the hearing aids, and I'm 48 years old. The most embarrassing thing is when I'm in a room full of people and the hearing aids start whistling and I can't hear it. Then people are staring at me like, what on earth is that noise? I hate it when that happens, I just want to go and hide. But I lived with using them all my life, so this is nothing new. Today I'm just grateful I can afford to get them, and that they are covered by my insurance. I need these things!

About Me-My Grandparents Were Amazing

This is a very old photo of my Grandfather, Mr. Rosenblum. He was the owner of 5 Stuff to Wear Stores all over Florida. In the past he would take us to Disney World every year, Sea World, and places like that. He used to take me to see the rockets on display at the space center when I was very little by Cocoa Beach, Florida. I always loved to stay at my grandparents condo, there was a pool right behind it and stairs to the beach next to the pool. When I was little I thought it was so beautiful there. They would give me free clothes from their Stuff To Wear Stores, so I was always well dressed for school. They were very well off, and they would take us out to Seafood Restaurants every night for dinner. And to the most fancy places. My grandfather did very well financially, he would throw in a 100 dollar bill every time we ate out to pay for our meals as if it was nothing. Not only take the family out, but he would take a few people that worked in his store and pay for them also. My grandparents business did really well in the past But it went down after they sold all their stores when they got too old to work. One day they asked me to work in their store, but I had to stand all day, putting clothes on racks, sorting them, that job wasn't for me, it was tiring. I will never work in a clothing store since I already know what it is like. My grandparents were very special in my life, they brought me my first car to use to go to College. My Grandfather passed away during my early years in college, over 27 years ago, and my Grandmother recently passed on just a few years ago. They had kept some amazing pieces of furniture that I always admired when I visited them in Florida many years ago. My grandmother hanged on to a Seashell glass table, that I thought was really neat, and a marble glass coffee table. They were shipped to me a few years ago, these pieces of furniture reminds me of history. I will never forget these people, they were a big part of my life. And I know they wanted nothing but happiness for me in my life.

About Me-When and How They Found Out I Was Deaf

I was born in the Booth Memorial Hospital in Queens, N.Y.C. in the summer of 1964. Back in those old days, they didn't screen babies for hearing loss in that hospital. The doctors there, never said anything to my parents about my hearing problem. Therefore my parents had no idea I was born deaf. We lived in N.Y.C. for a while, then moved into a colony house with a pool in New Brunswick, N.J. My parents were concerned because whenever they tried to call my name, I never responded to them. They wanted me to learn how to talk, but I couldn't speak. I didn't learn how to talk for three years after I was born. My mother tried to take me to numerous places to find out why I wasn't talking or responding to people when they talked to me. When we lived in Whitestone, N.Y. the doctors misdiagnosed me in the sense that they assured my mother nothing was wrong. The same was true when we moved to New Brunswick, NJ. The pediatrician there told my mom that I could hear. She asked him to tell her where I could be tested for my hearing. He said I was too young to be tested on. He was wrong because even then they could test toddlers for hearing loss. My mother had some friends, that suggested she take me to see an audiologist when I was three years old. There, they did a hearing test on me. That's when they told her I was deaf. It took three years for my parents to find this out. They gave me my first hearing aids and I started speech therapy because I did not know how to speak. When I was finally diagnosed, she took me back to that doctor and showed him my hearing aids. She also told him where people could take babies to be tested. My mom had to take me to New York City to have me tested and diagnosed. She never found a place in N.J. to have me tested until I was a lot older. It's ashamed that there was huge lack of resources for deaf people back in the 1960's and in the 1970's in New Jersey. The doctors there were uneducated on deafness. They didn't know anything about my hearing problem whenever my mom took me to be checked on why I wasn't talking. I can remember how lost I felt for 3 years when I couldn't speak or hear at all. If I wanted a drink, or something to eat, I didn't have any way of expressing myself or asking for it. If I was tired, or wanted to tell my parents anything, like if I wasn't feeling well, I couldn't tell them that. And it is not a pleasant feeling to know, that I had to go through this for awhile. This is how I was brought into the world due to doctors lack of knowledge on deafness. They could of helped me much sooner, only if the doctors would of known I was deaf. It would of been nice if the doctors in N.J. could of diagnosed my deafness before I was 3 years old, life would of been a bit easier. I could of learned to talk much sooner. Most of all I would of been able to express myself much earlier in my life to my parents and family. But I couldn't speak to ask for anything or express myself until I got those hearing aids and learned how to talk when I was 3.

Deaf Lady's Car Breaks Down

Don't you just hate it when you're in a hurry to go somewhere to discover your car won't start in the morning? It's not a pleasant feeling. Well my daughter was the last person to use it, and she told me it wouldn't start for her to get to work. So I went to check it out. The headlight switch was halfway on overnight. So there you have it, that must of drained out the battery completely, I had assumed. So, I called up AAA, and the first thing I did was to tell them I was deaf. And they were very nice about it and they ended up speaking too loud to where it hurt my ears and also I couldn't understand them when their voice got too loud. Funny, isn't it? So I kindly asked them to lower there voice and they did. AAA called me 5 minutes before they arrived, and they came pretty fast. So I think their service was very reliable. When the tow truck arrived, the first thing I did was walked up to the guy and told him I was deaf. He gave me a shocking look, but in a good way. Now, my message to the deaf and elderly, don't be afraid to tell anyone you are deaf. Don't worry how people will react or what they will think when you tell them that. I have gotten some strange looks from people in the past, and sometimes some very interesting looks, but don't let it get to you. Just be proud of yourself for your honesty and letting others know you cannot hear in order to give them a chance to speak louder for you, or to communicate with you in the way you need them to. Do it right away too. The AAA guy did a special battery testing test on my car battery. Well, he found out nothing was wrong with the car, it went dead because of that little switch being left on overnight. After telling the tow truck driver I was deaf, his reaction was very positive. He spoke louder, and more clearer and he faced me the whole time so I could lipread him. So I understood every single word he said to me. And I have to praise AAA for their wonderful service this morning, and I'm very grateful for that. :)

Pictures of me during my childhood days by Susana the Deaf Lady

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - The Beatles (lyrics)

Attention Airports! Can you display your Services for the Deaf through Newspapers and Commercials on T.V. ?

Airports do have information about deaf services through their websites. Sometimes my computers are broken so how am I going to look it up? I didn't even know they had information in their websites about deaf services. I think the airports need to do more to let the public know how we can learn more about their services for the deaf by displaying them on t.v. and in the daily newspapers. I do watch a lot of t.v. so that's a good way for me to learn about them. Not everyone uses computers or can afford internet services in their homes. Even if they do have internet connection, some people can only afford one computer. And sometimes their computers break down where they can't use them to look up anything for periods of time. Some people don't know how to look things up online. Not because they can't do it, it's because they don't have any experience with computers. And they haven't learned how to do it yet. When we buy plane tickets, some people don't always think of looking up certain things online, for information. Can airports consider making weekly commercials on television describing the deaf services they have to offer? That way the deaf will be aware of your services and it will be out more in the open. Putting it on the news is okay, but they will probably only show it temporarily, and then how will we know about your services if it is not on the news anymore? Is it possible to make a deaf commercial telling the world about what services you have for the deaf people? And then to have it on t.v. about once a week, so that we can all learn about it? It would be great if the airports can publish an article in the daily papers about once a month about the deaf services. I read the Buffalo paper everyday. So it would be nice if you can include an article for the deaf to read about your deaf services so that we all know about it.

Airport sends me a Wonderful Letter Today regarding the Deaf Travelers

1:05 PM (6 hours ago) to me Hi Susana, We had the Managers' Meeting this a.m. with all our airlines and vendors. I brought up the issue of deaf travelers and got some interesting feedback. All of the airlines have on their websites "Special Service Request" info. If someone reads that section before traveling, she/he will receive advice on what actions to take to assure getting information needed. Some airlines notify their location that there will be a deaf traveler person on the flight. All airline asked that the person identify him/herself to the agent at the gate, so the agent is aware. Many will post boarding information on their screens behind their podium at the gate. I believe I already sent you the memo from TSA about what to do regarding TSA check-in. If you call the number listed, they make sure that the airport where you are traveling is aware of your flight...but of course, there can be delays, changes, etc, so again, TSA asked that the person identify to the screeners that he/she is deaf. Most airports have a "Special Assistance" lane to check-in, so that lane can be used to insure assistance. TSA does train some of its officers to use sign language. Because it's not a frequent request, they might be a little rusty, but you can surely ask. TSA will begin a new program shortly with Special Customer Assistance staff at many airports during peak times. My understanding is they will be wearing the same uniforms as the other TSA agents (!), but if you ask, someone should be able to let you know if there are any on duty. They will be there to assist folks who need it. The food service folks indicated that if there staff is made aware of a person's deafness, they will try to provide information accordingly. So we'll keep on keepin' on! ______________________________________ Bev Halligan Customer Service Superintendent

Bossy Guinea Pig, wait is that a video of me?

Petunia was always my favorite guinea pig, though I had to give her away. She acted like she owned the world. If someone was at the door, she would oink so loud, I had to tell to be quiet. She would start running back and forth and give me a startled look as if the house was on fire. It was easy to know when someone was knocking, Petunia put on a great act whenever she heard noises. She would run so fast and everything in the cage would go flying all over the floor. I didn't like that, because it just made a bigger mess and more for me to clean up, we should of gotten one of those glass cages. She loved to go outdoors, she would chew on the grass, and she liked it. She also loved carrots and salad, so I would give her those leftovers. Most of all, she loved to be held for hours, this is what made her so special. Then one day we decided to get a another guinea pig, name Twinky. We didn't know she was pregnant. Well, at first Petunia and Twinky got along very well. Petunia was always the boss and Twinky did whatever she was told. If I would pick up Twinky to hold her, Petunia got jealous, so I would end up holding both guinea pigs at the same time. As Petunia wanted to be held as much as possible, but Twinky didn't care. Twinky was kind of wild, and liked to be in the cage and not held as much. Then the day came when Twinky had little black babies, and oh boy, was Petunia extremely jealous. She decided she was in charge of all the guinea pigs. And she acted like she owned them. If we were to go and pick up Twinky or the babies, she would oink like crazy, saying no, pick me up, not them! And if they got picked up instead of her, she would give us a very annoying look, like, thanks a lot. She always acted as if she was the best of them all(well she was). Twinky wasn't that much fun, she would try to bite me if I so much as tried to pet her. Petunia would decide who gets to eat first and such. She was one special guinea pig, I won't forget. When I moved they didn't allow pets, so I had to give her away, and that was hard. I have good memories of her. :)

This is the sign for I Love You

Sometimes it's a daily struggle in life, to get others to understand how deaf I really am. It's especially hard being in a room with a group of people as in a classroom, when you're the only deaf person there. I am the one that has to make an effort to let others around me realize they need to face me when they speak. Most people think I am hearing because I speak normally, so they really can't tell I have a hearing loss. People have constantly told me that I can hear very well, well this isn't true, it's the opposite and I have have the facts. When they face me when they speak, I lipread them very well, therefore it appears I am picking up all the words. I am good at faking it and making people all around think I can hear, but I really can't. They think I am hearing the words, but no, I lipread the words. I could pass for a hearing person and you wouldn't know the difference. But I really don't want to do that and make things more difficult for me. It's best to tell the truth to others, when they don't know the facts. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Cat Named Red

When I used to live in an apartment I used to have this special cat named Red. He would let me know if someone was at the door or if the phone was ringing if I happened to be asleep. Whenever there was knocking on my door he would run to the door like a dog, look at it, then he would run back to me and tap me on the shoulder with his paw and it would wake me up. Then when he saw my eyes open he would look at me, then run back to the door to show me someone was there knocking. It was so cute. He thought he was a dog. I can't hear the knocking or the phone ringing when I am not wearing my hearing aids, so he was there to help. I've never had a cat like that before, he really made it easier for me for a while, till I had to give him away . He did the same thing if the phone rang, he would make sure I was up to answer it, by tapping me and running back and forth to the phone. That is one cat I will never forget, I didn't even have to train him.

Life N Canvas: Starting Anew ( If you have good faith in god you might like this blog)

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Is it expensive for Airports to Provide More Services for the Deaf on Planes?

Is it expensive to provide services for the deaf in airports? They could give the deaf passengers an option to sign up for certain services before their flights. When they get their tickets, there could be a yes and no box with questions asking if they want closed captioning services on their flights and an interpreter and so on. I understand there is no point in providing closed captioning services on every single plane if there aren't any deaf passengers on some of them. So, maybe they could have the deaf people sign in and register for a special flight service that has closed captioning. Then they could be put on that certain plane that has the services provided. This goes for the gates as well. They should send the deaf people to the gates that already have closed captioning on the overhead screens there. If there is a deaf passenger on a certain flight and there are no closed captioning screens at the gate, then they should change the gate to one where there is a closed captioning monitor. That is only fair for the deaf passengers, they need to feel comfortable as well as everyone else. I know there aren't that many deaf people on a plane at given times from experience. I have boarded a plane at least twice a year in the past 40 years. And I have not seen any deaf people on any of my flights. But the airports could make arrangements to install a closed captioning monitor in every plane, in at least two seats for the deaf passengers. That way everyone is happy with the deaf passengers included.

Matt Maher - Turn Around