I just registered for an American Sign Language class at the college today.. It starts next Tuesday at 5:30 pm. I'm excited about it, to tell you the truth. Sure, I learned some ASL in 8th grade and again in 10th, but it's still not enough! I'm still confused over the word placements and such. ASL is completely different from Signed English. ASL is based on the French language afterall.
ASL is more used among deaf people than signed english is anyway, so I might as well pick up on it. Especially since I'm considering going to CSUN hopefully for Spring semester next year (CSUN has the National Center on Deafness, which is why I want to go there).
I'm just really fascinated with ASL... ANd I do prefer ASL to Signed English, even though I don't use ASL fully cause I'm still stupid about some parts of it.
And the cool thing about this class is.. i KNOW the person who is going to be teaching... She's a pretty cool person. I can't wait for this to start!
$70 for this class... It goes on for 7 weeks, on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5:30 to 7:30, starting next Tuesday. Looking forward to it!
Monday, March 7, 2005
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Hamilton Relay presentation
Hamilton Relay did a presentation last night at the old Holiday Inn... DVR sent me the announcement about it in the mail, which arrived yesterday. So of course, I went. And I dragged Mom along. Thought she might be interested and all. And she was!
We had dinner at Johnny J's before we went to the presentation. Again, got to see some deaf friends (a lot of them went to the SignStage performace the other night). So I got to be around some deaf people. I didn't really learn anything new, same stuff that was covered by some Hamilton Relay people at the last WYHI. Yeah. Mom and I then got to talking about the SideKickII and Blackberry stuff... I told her how much I wanted one... We talked to our friend Heather, as she had a SideKickII. Said she got hers from Fusewireless.com. She also says there's not as much coverage in Casper alone for the sidekick.. Some areas of town the SideKick works very well, some areas there's no signal, like up close to the mall and stuff. Says there's more area coverage for the Blackberry.
SideKick's pretty cool. Blackberry is too. I just wanna see if Blackberry has the whole AIM thing in it like the Sidekick. I read on the Fusewireless website that the Blackberry can have AIM on it too... But I wanna see how it works. Blah blah. Mom and I are gonna talk to a friend of Mom's who works for Verizon. See if we can try the Blackberry... We don't know if there's any places here in town that could help us out with the Sidekick.. and as much as I want the Sidekick2, theres barely any coverage in Wyoming for it to work... The Blackberry might be better to use; especially considering I do want to drive to Sheridan myself for the Family Reunion in July, the Blackberry might work better than the Sidekick. Who knows though. Need to do some research and such.
We had dinner at Johnny J's before we went to the presentation. Again, got to see some deaf friends (a lot of them went to the SignStage performace the other night). So I got to be around some deaf people. I didn't really learn anything new, same stuff that was covered by some Hamilton Relay people at the last WYHI. Yeah. Mom and I then got to talking about the SideKickII and Blackberry stuff... I told her how much I wanted one... We talked to our friend Heather, as she had a SideKickII. Said she got hers from Fusewireless.com. She also says there's not as much coverage in Casper alone for the sidekick.. Some areas of town the SideKick works very well, some areas there's no signal, like up close to the mall and stuff. Says there's more area coverage for the Blackberry.
SideKick's pretty cool. Blackberry is too. I just wanna see if Blackberry has the whole AIM thing in it like the Sidekick. I read on the Fusewireless website that the Blackberry can have AIM on it too... But I wanna see how it works. Blah blah. Mom and I are gonna talk to a friend of Mom's who works for Verizon. See if we can try the Blackberry... We don't know if there's any places here in town that could help us out with the Sidekick.. and as much as I want the Sidekick2, theres barely any coverage in Wyoming for it to work... The Blackberry might be better to use; especially considering I do want to drive to Sheridan myself for the Family Reunion in July, the Blackberry might work better than the Sidekick. Who knows though. Need to do some research and such.
Monday, August 16, 2004
deaf academic bowl
Well! The Western Regional Gallaudet University Deaf Academic Bowl went very well! It was held in Riverside, California, and I was the Wyoming team captain this year. Anyway, we did pretty well for Wyoming's 2nd year of being part of the competitions. This year we have won 3 matches and lost 4. Last year we won 2, lost 5. Not bad not bad! Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind won first place (YAAAAAAAAY!), University High School (somewhere in CA) in 2nd place and Rio Mesa High School (in CA) 3rd place.
I had a LOT of fun in California. I WANT TO LIVE IN CALIFORNIA! Man it's just beautiful in Riverside! The matches were fun, I made new friends, saw some students that had competed last year, etc. It was just a blast, and I'm extremely happy Wyoming got to compete again. Sadly, I won't be able to be part of the team next year as I am graduating June 3, and the competition is only for deaf and hard of hearing high school students in grades 9-12. I've had tons of fun, but am very happy to be back home. Just not happy about coming home to 12 inches of snow though
I had a LOT of fun in California. I WANT TO LIVE IN CALIFORNIA! Man it's just beautiful in Riverside! The matches were fun, I made new friends, saw some students that had competed last year, etc. It was just a blast, and I'm extremely happy Wyoming got to compete again. Sadly, I won't be able to be part of the team next year as I am graduating June 3, and the competition is only for deaf and hard of hearing high school students in grades 9-12. I've had tons of fun, but am very happy to be back home. Just not happy about coming home to 12 inches of snow though
Thursday, June 17, 2004
new phone
I got to try out this new phone, which is specially made for the deaf and hard of hearing the other day. AWESOME! I think that was on Monday when I tried it out, or perhaps Tuesday.. I forget, but I really liked it! It's from AblePlanet, and anyone can use it. Even people with hearing aids or cochlear implants can use it. I found it to be much clearer and more easier to understand than any other phones I've used. Mom and Rob have said they'd buy one for me, and I would like that. It's a really nice phone. For those of you that might be interested, go to http://www.ableplanet.com for more info. I also tried out this new FM system, which the receiver is in the form of a hearing aid. It's large and bulky on the ear, but I really liked the sound quality of it and everything. I don't have much info on the FM though.
Well, I'm gonna get this posted and get out of here. I'm at work right now, and I have an appointment with my audiologist which is in less than half an hour. Need to have my hearing aid adjusted as I'm not doing as well with it now as I was when I first got it. I'm just not hearing as well! And mom's annoyed with my "HUH" and "what?" and the confused looks I give her.
Well, I'm gonna get this posted and get out of here. I'm at work right now, and I have an appointment with my audiologist which is in less than half an hour. Need to have my hearing aid adjusted as I'm not doing as well with it now as I was when I first got it. I'm just not hearing as well! And mom's annoyed with my "HUH" and "what?" and the confused looks I give her.
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
letter to editor about ASL classes
I wrote a letter to the editor and it was published in the papers May 7th. I thought I'd share it with anyone who's interested in American Sign Language.
Editor:
I am 16, deaf, and a sophomore at Kelly Walsh High School. My interpreter, Jo Otterholt and I are working on a project together. We would like to get American Sign Language (ASL) accepted in high schools as a foreign language class. Sure, I already am learning ASL at school, but I won't get a foreign language credit for it, and that's not right. Casper College and the University of Wyoming accepts ASL as a foreign language class and both even offer classes for credit which fulfills the foreign language requirement! I have talked with Dr. Jim Lowham for a little bit, and he believes that the state wouldn't accept ASL as a foreign language, but the district might. About 27 states accept ASL as a foreign language and Wyoming is not one of them.
There are many states that do not offer ASL in high schools but they do offer the classes for credit at the colleges/universities like in Wyoming, Delaware, Colorado, Arizona, New Hampshire, and New Mexico. If the colleges accept ASL as a foreign language, why not the high schools? American Sign Language IS the third most commonly used language in the United States! There are classes for Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, etc. but none for ASL in high schools. When are these students ever going to use German or Japanese in their lives? ASL or a sign language of some kind is ALWAYS being used somewhere.
You'll find deaf people everywhere, like hospitals, police stations, dentists, stores, restaurants, anywhere and they'll be using sign language to communicate. How can the deaf person communicate if someone who works in that certain place doesn't know sign language? The deaf person and the employee would have to exchange written notes and that takes quite some time to do. If the employee knew sign language or ASL, then things would go a lot quicker for both. Not all deaf people can speak well, and some have poor English skills.
American Sign Language is not just for deaf people. Hearing people use it as well. There IS a shortage of sign language/ASL interpreters. It would be nice if more people learned ASL and some became interpreters of the deaf. Deaf people need interpreters at school or someplace else like the doctor's office, hospitals, police station, etc.
My mom, Jo, and I are working on starting a petition and we plan on having students sign it. I am very sure that there are many students that would like to learn American Sign Language, but they can't since it isn't offered in high schools. The staff at Star Lane Center are supportive of this project as well as Mr. Larry Allison at Kelly Walsh High School, and they believe ASL should be accepted as a foreign language.
Getting American Sign Language to be accepted as a foreign language in high schools may not happen right away, but hopefully it'll be accepted for the younger students who have to have a foreign language credit in order to graduate. No matter where they go, they'll always find a use for this language since it is needed everywhere, and things will go a lot easier for the deaf person if more people knew ASL or a sign language of some kind.
I should have the petition typed up and printed out tomorrow and I'll be passing it around throughout the town until May 22. I'm leaving May 22 for a 2 week vacation. I may continue with the petition through the summer too. ASL SHOULD be accepted!!!!!!!!!! Many of my relatives and friends and even teachers are very supportive of this!
Editor:
I am 16, deaf, and a sophomore at Kelly Walsh High School. My interpreter, Jo Otterholt and I are working on a project together. We would like to get American Sign Language (ASL) accepted in high schools as a foreign language class. Sure, I already am learning ASL at school, but I won't get a foreign language credit for it, and that's not right. Casper College and the University of Wyoming accepts ASL as a foreign language class and both even offer classes for credit which fulfills the foreign language requirement! I have talked with Dr. Jim Lowham for a little bit, and he believes that the state wouldn't accept ASL as a foreign language, but the district might. About 27 states accept ASL as a foreign language and Wyoming is not one of them.
There are many states that do not offer ASL in high schools but they do offer the classes for credit at the colleges/universities like in Wyoming, Delaware, Colorado, Arizona, New Hampshire, and New Mexico. If the colleges accept ASL as a foreign language, why not the high schools? American Sign Language IS the third most commonly used language in the United States! There are classes for Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, etc. but none for ASL in high schools. When are these students ever going to use German or Japanese in their lives? ASL or a sign language of some kind is ALWAYS being used somewhere.
You'll find deaf people everywhere, like hospitals, police stations, dentists, stores, restaurants, anywhere and they'll be using sign language to communicate. How can the deaf person communicate if someone who works in that certain place doesn't know sign language? The deaf person and the employee would have to exchange written notes and that takes quite some time to do. If the employee knew sign language or ASL, then things would go a lot quicker for both. Not all deaf people can speak well, and some have poor English skills.
American Sign Language is not just for deaf people. Hearing people use it as well. There IS a shortage of sign language/ASL interpreters. It would be nice if more people learned ASL and some became interpreters of the deaf. Deaf people need interpreters at school or someplace else like the doctor's office, hospitals, police station, etc.
My mom, Jo, and I are working on starting a petition and we plan on having students sign it. I am very sure that there are many students that would like to learn American Sign Language, but they can't since it isn't offered in high schools. The staff at Star Lane Center are supportive of this project as well as Mr. Larry Allison at Kelly Walsh High School, and they believe ASL should be accepted as a foreign language.
Getting American Sign Language to be accepted as a foreign language in high schools may not happen right away, but hopefully it'll be accepted for the younger students who have to have a foreign language credit in order to graduate. No matter where they go, they'll always find a use for this language since it is needed everywhere, and things will go a lot easier for the deaf person if more people knew ASL or a sign language of some kind.
I should have the petition typed up and printed out tomorrow and I'll be passing it around throughout the town until May 22. I'm leaving May 22 for a 2 week vacation. I may continue with the petition through the summer too. ASL SHOULD be accepted!!!!!!!!!! Many of my relatives and friends and even teachers are very supportive of this!
Thursday, April 15, 2004
new hearing aid!
New hearing aid tomorrow! I just can't wait haha. This whole week I've been anxious. Phonak's Supero.... dude I just really cannot wait to try it out!
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
I found a new hearing aid
Today was definitely a good day. Sunday afternoon, I came across a mention of this new programmable digital hearing aid from Phonak, the Supero.... So I went to the Phonak US website, and printed off info. The Supero is the hearing aid for severe to profound losses, which is what I have. And I think the Supero will be even better than the Claro (the one I currently have). Anyway, I shared the info with mom and she got all excited about it.
So! Today, I went to see my audiologist, Shane, to get my new earmold. And I put the printouts on the counter smack in front of him. And I told him I'm considering getting this hearing aid someday. So, he got my new mold fitted on my hearing aid and all (btw, you can not even see the earmold when you look at my ear, unless you REALLY look at it, pretty cool!). Then we talked about the hearing aid and a possible trial period for it. He says he runs like... 45 day trials or something like that. He picked up his phone, dialed the number for Phonak and got the Wyoming customer service or whatever, and ORDERED one. Haaa cool! He's hoping it'll be here by Monday.
I told mom of what went on after I got done seeing Shane. She's all excited about it. She says if DVR doesn't pay for it, we'll just put it on her credit card... and DVR has told us they'd buy a pair of hearing aids for me or whatever. We'll have to talk to them and all. Just for one Supero HA, it's about $1,700 from what Shane had told me. It might be a bit more than that as he also ordered the Phonak FM boot thingy for the hearing aid, considering I already have the transmitter for my current FM on my HA. When the Supero hearing aid and FM boot comes in, Shane's going to reprogram my remote control I think? so it'd work with the Supero. I'm pretty excited about this! It'll be here soon, hopefully by Monday so we can get the HA programmed before Spring Break ends.
So! Today, I went to see my audiologist, Shane, to get my new earmold. And I put the printouts on the counter smack in front of him. And I told him I'm considering getting this hearing aid someday. So, he got my new mold fitted on my hearing aid and all (btw, you can not even see the earmold when you look at my ear, unless you REALLY look at it, pretty cool!). Then we talked about the hearing aid and a possible trial period for it. He says he runs like... 45 day trials or something like that. He picked up his phone, dialed the number for Phonak and got the Wyoming customer service or whatever, and ORDERED one. Haaa cool! He's hoping it'll be here by Monday.
I told mom of what went on after I got done seeing Shane. She's all excited about it. She says if DVR doesn't pay for it, we'll just put it on her credit card... and DVR has told us they'd buy a pair of hearing aids for me or whatever. We'll have to talk to them and all. Just for one Supero HA, it's about $1,700 from what Shane had told me. It might be a bit more than that as he also ordered the Phonak FM boot thingy for the hearing aid, considering I already have the transmitter for my current FM on my HA. When the Supero hearing aid and FM boot comes in, Shane's going to reprogram my remote control I think? so it'd work with the Supero. I'm pretty excited about this! It'll be here soon, hopefully by Monday so we can get the HA programmed before Spring Break ends.
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