1. I was born in Calgary, Alberta Canada and was born three months too early weighing only 2 pounds. My mom tells me that the doctor wanted her to abort me three times and she said no each time.
2. I am almost profound Deaf with tiny helps from hearing devices and have been that way since birth. After I was born, the medical care kept insisting I tend an institute and not general school. My family moved to the US so I can go to normal school. After all I am only deaf and nothing else.
3. Doctor thought I was mental handicap when I was little. Every time they clap behind my head, I responded so they thought I could hear. Little did they know that I felt the wind from the clapping?
4. I know 3 different sign language in ASL, SEE, and PSE. I can speak and write English.
5. I have a rare gift of being able to speak clearly with the degree of my deafness.
6. At age 3, I heard my very first sound! A famous Opera Singer was on Television and my Grandma turned it all the way up!
7. I have moved more than 40 times by age 30.
8. Age of 3 a kitten has found me and followed me home, she was my cat for 20 years and passed away one month before I got married.
9. I have a new little guy who is 2 years old name Dexter. But the cat only goes by “Sweetie”.
10. At age 9, I had lunch with President Reagan and performed for him with a group of other deaf students signing the song “Over the Rainbow” in Washington D.C.
11. The following year, my homemade card was one of the 4 chosen to be sent to the President for Valentines Day (Girl Scout Project). It was made of felt cut in the shape of my hand and I turned it into an “I Love You” sign language image.
12. In High school I was incredibly shy but yet was involved in clubs, Art shows, poetry reading and was on the dance team.
13. Another high school moment, despite my deafness I joined the Choir. Someone mentioned to a teacher that I wanted to sing so he had me sing the ranges and said I matched every pitch perfect. At the end of the year, I won the award for the most improved. Never did sing after that.
14. My mom is one of my soul mates despite that we were very poor growing up.
15. I attended a University in Montana for 4 years majoring Graphic Design. My biggest regret is that I never finished so degree.
16. Out of a spontaneous moment, I decided to move to California without any real planning. I was naïve and had absolutely no idea I chose one of the most expensive place to live. I got rid of my car and things and flew to California with only two suitcases and only $600. I had no job and know no one! After 9 years I am still here with a great job, great boyfriend, and cute cat enjoying the weather. But it was nothing but culture shock and daily challenges.
17. I married a deaf man at age 22. I jumped into the marriage with unsure feelings. I left 5 years later for my safety.
18. I attended College in California but with a new major in Dental Hygienist. I completed my AS degree in Science first. However after completing my science degree before going into the dental hygienist program, I decided I fell in love with the Occupational Therapist program. Hey it’s Science and Art together after all.
19. I never stop dreaming about going back to school to finish a degree in Occupational Therapist. I don’t know if that will ever happen.
20. I sold a new full size pick-up truck for a firebird. I wanted to break free from the Montana girl and change into the California city girl.
21. I finally accepted that I can move out of Montana but I can never take the Montana out of me.
22. I love drinking hot coffee and eat cold ice cream at the same time.
23. Technology keeps getting better and better every year for me. I am a computer geek and my life changed forever with text messaging. I am now almost equal when it comes to communicating with the general public since I can not hear the phone. Internet is amazing, when I am on it, I am no longer deaf.
24. I enjoy getting flowers and often buy myself flowers
25. Cooking Light is a magazine I prescribe to (70 cents per magazine) and actually try to cook dishes from their menus.
26. After proclaiming that I never thought I would want to get married again after a bad marriage, I meet someone special and just can’t wait to be with him everyday. I even desire children with him.
27. Question I hate to hear people asking me: Can you drive? How I respond: I do drive better without the blindfolds on.
28. I should be working right now!
28 but could be more if I was not working lol!
November 17th, 2006 at 03:08 am
November 17th, 2006 at 03:24 am 1163733872
I dated a deaf gal and she wanted to know if I was slow when I first met her. She could read lips and I asked her why she would say something like that to me? She laughed and explained that I could talk normally so long as I was facing her. She thought it was pretty funny that I was talking llike a nit wit! How......(pause)......are.....(pause)......you....(pause)......this....(pause).....evening?
Boy, did I ever feel like a dope!
November 17th, 2006 at 03:48 am 1163735285
November 17th, 2006 at 04:05 am 1163736344
November 17th, 2006 at 05:51 am 1163742698
I had a great friend in college that was partially deaf. She was also in my wedding, but we lost track of each other after I moved away. My fault, I got so busy working and moving every three months while Hubby co-oped that I let our friendship lapse. Once, I went on a five hour each way road trip with her and a deaf friend of hers that we picked up part way. I sat in the middle. She drove. I spent the trip frantically reminding her to WATCH THE ROAD cos they were signing and catching up and looking at each other most of the time. They laughed hilariously at me. I deserved it. And it was a great time! Boy, I have missed her!
You had an amazing list. Thanks for sharing!
November 17th, 2006 at 02:45 pm 1163774705
Very interesting list...
November 17th, 2006 at 04:02 pm 1163779363
#21 & 22 & 24: so funny and endearing!
I just recently discovered Cooking LIght and just started my subscription. I love looking at cooking magazines, a newly found interest.
November 17th, 2006 at 05:05 pm 1163783134
November 17th, 2006 at 05:41 pm 1163785290
#8 is very touching. I like cats too, but I have enough kids to tend to so I don't have cats right now.
#16. Wait. You just... jumped into a plane... with no plan... to Cali of all places? WOW! Why? But then, I am not known for spontaneity. I'm typically a meticulous planner.
#23 made me smile. No, you're not deaf here, and lucky for you, you don't have to smell my stinky feet!
Excellent list!
November 17th, 2006 at 06:47 pm 1163789277