Boing Boing: Deaf geek mods implant-firmware so he can enjoy music again based on Wired story. It’s wonderful that Michael Chorost. has had great success with his implant. I continue to go to speech and listening therapy every Thursday and listen to 1080 AM radio (talk radio) and catch words and phrases here and there. Not always enough to figure out the gist of the conversation. Boy, they sure say phone numbers a lot on that station! [ Link: Bryan ]
Update: This is the guy who wrote Rebuilt. Sure, I’d like to read it — as a book reviewer and abstract writer, it’ll be a while before I get to it.
Deaf Geek Mods Implant Firmware
Company Sells Products for Hearing Impaired
I’ve known the Anders for years as I grew up in Fort Worth. Their daughter was a couple of years older than me and we met through a mutual friend. Last I heard, she was a lawyer in California. Sidney Anders has been attending the famous CES in Vegas for years, but this year he was an exhibitor. Here’s the article that was published in the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
A while back, my dad picked up a portable voice carry over (VCO) VCO phone TTY from Krown Manufacturing. You put the TTY to the phone when the other person is speaking (the operator is typing instead) and then read the text and respond with your voice. It was a nice idea, but didn’t work well since there was a lot of garbled text.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing folks don’t have to worry about technology going away. The Anders will make sure it stays alive.
Deaf Blogs Article
Thanks to Grant W. Laird Jr. for telling me about an article on Deaf Blogs in Signews. Would’ve never known about it had it not been for him. He kindly posted copies of the two pages in his blog entry. It was great reading about the other blogs and the things they cover. My name and blog name are briefly mentioned as the real story are the others mentioned.
Fear of Speaking up and Promoting Self
Ilise asked about what people are afraid of when it comes to speaking up and self-promotion. My situation is a little different from what you see in the entry’s comments as you know that I’m profoundly deaf. When I make calls, I go through a relay service and it’s incredible how many people hang up on the relay service before I even get a chance to speak.
When I worked for a company, I took on three clients as an “ambassador.” One kept hanging up on me no matter what I tried to do. So I wrote a letter and explained the situation. It didn’t do any good.
Anyway, I get fearful of calling clients (especially ones that don’t know me) because the relay service is a real pain (though a blessing, too) as it’s slow, uncomfortable, and impersonal.
Deaf Dog Doesn't Get Along with Dog
My friend, Kim, shared this story and I thought it’d be worth sharing here. It provides a wealth of insight into the world of dogs who are deaf.
A woman adopted a dog who is partially deaf. He’s been through a lot and when he arrived to his new home, he ended up fighting with her other dog. Here’s the advice she received.
“Welcome to the world of deaf dogs! I have two currently and have had two in the past and fostered and helped train several others. I am a sign language interpreter for the deaf by profession so deafness is really not an issue for me and honestly, it is not an issue for the deaf dogs. They do not know they are deaf. They know they are happy to be alive and the just experience the world a little differently than we do.
Deaf Dog Resources
There are three Yahoo groups:
DeafDogs: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/deafdogs/
Texas DeafDogs: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TexasDeafDogs/
Deaf and Blind Dogs: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blind-deaf-dogs/
And a Web site: http://www.deafdogs.org/
The Web site has a lot of information, lists adoptable dogs, and points to resources like vibrating collar makers.
Deaf Dog Atlas is a resource where you click on the maps till you get to a locale you want and read profiles of deaf dogs and the people who love them. See how well and happy these dogs are with their families. If you have a deaf dog, why don’t you add your dog to the map?
More Dogs Needing Homes – DFW Area
We have a very friendly Pit mix that appears to be deaf. He has not shown any aggression to people or other dogs. He has been in cages with all types of different breeds. He has just been happy go lucky and just wants to play.
He was to be PTS this morning but we pulled him because he is just too good of a dog to not get a chance at a happy life. He is pure white and looks young, maybe a year old or so.
Please let Ginger know if you can help this boy or know of someone who can.
Permission to post anywhere.
Ginger Leach
Fort Worth Animal Care & Control
817-392-3737 VM ext 1865
ext 1830/1831 to have me paged
gingerleach45@yahoo.com
Deaf Dog Named Hope Needs a Home
My friend Kim says, “Do not let her breed be a deterrent to helping her. She’s a pit bull but those poor dogs have been given a horrible rep thanks to what these gangs do to them. This dog looks like she may have just been more than her dorky owners were willing to give her. She looks bright and sweet.”
Meet Hope
“I am a 6-month-old Pit Bull mix about 30 lbs and all white (very pretty). I love people and other animals and love to play. I am deaf so I need a little more attention but I can learn very quickly. Please call my friend that is fostering me at 214-828-0800. I promise you will fall in love with me. Love, Hope”
Bright Hands Glow Gloves
Saw this link in GMail and had to check it out. Well, Glow Gloves certainly make it easier to see hands in the dark. Could it become a hit when deaf people go clubbing?
Bible Thumper Revisited
Not long ago, I posted an entry about Bible thumpers who came knocking on my door. Funny, I ran into another one… this time by snail mail. Yes, paper, pen, stamp, and all. Here’s the note (nothing changed):
Hello Meryl.
My name is Gayle. I volunteer with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. I have a deaf daughter. I want to share information we have, DVD’s all in ASL sign language that help us get closer to God. I know different people have different religions. That is OK. We have many DVDs and videos all in sign language with information from the Bible that talk about the wonderful future God has planned for people who get to know him and want to live with people who have good actions.
As Moses helped lead the Israelites to the Promised Land God has wonderful hope for us to live in a world with peace — where people are happy. Please read Psalm 37:10, 11, and 28, 29. I would like a chance to show you the DVDs and you decide if you want to learn more about the Bible in ASL sign language. My sidekick number… [of course, I omit this].
Love, Gayle