Deaf Mom's Blog!

Dawn Niles - Justice will be served!

2008-03-10T20:31:00.003-05:00

Just a week ago, several of my friends contacted me in a flurry of emails, videophone calls and such - to let me know the latest news - Dawn Niles Case Solved!

The feeling I had was exactly the same as when I received news that her body was found back in March 22, 1981. She was last seen on March 17, 1981.

I remember the details in the entire week - starting with the day when we saw her enter her boyfriend's car to the day of the wake, seeing her body in the coffin as it slowly sinks to the borrowed grave site.

The feeling was numb, shock, disbelief while watching all my friends grieved.

Here are the links to the site to help you understand all the details of the articles. I noticed that two articles in different newspapers could not agree on WHO found her body in the forest preserves - Hikers or Fishermen. Of course the identity remained anonymous.

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/diabled.teen.murdered.2.669425.html

The above link is an actual article relating the story that updates the 27 years old case.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/834333,CST-EDT-edit10a.article

This one takes you to think: Actions DOES help get the case solved. If we sit back and do nothing, that's exactly what will happen; nothing.

http://putzworld.blogspot.com/2008/03/dawn-niles-sister-speaks-out.html

Finally, this is the blog site that I appreciate her posting. Hopefully this will spark an interests in getting this case to move forward.

I hope that we the Deaf who all knew her gets to FILL the courtroom and see this case unfold! It was frustrating back then and I sure don't want any one of us to be just as frustrated today!

From IL to CA - my childhood experience transcript

2008-02-11T11:55:00.001-06:00

From IL to CA: Part 1- my childhood experience transcript

Hello. I wanted to share a story. My experience as a young teenage girl. A long time ago, my father was assigned a position in San Diego. A move from Illinois to California.

We all got in the 1974 Buick LeSabre, a car that guzzles gas! We all went on a four-days trip through the states to San Diego.

During the trip, my middle sister received a book from her best friend, titled, "Gone with the Wind". A well known fiction that is three inches thick! She read that book throughout the entire trip.

My oldest sister sat with me and kept me company playing paper games. She was very creative with many games.

Whenever the gas in the car would run low and dad would stop at the gas station, we'd run to use the bathroom as well as grabbing few snacks! We would get back in the car and drive on some more. On the way, we'd miss Texas by travelling through Oklahoma's "panhandle" situated just above the state of Texas.

Upon travelling through the states, when we came to Grand Canyon, we'd park the car and step outside for the view the majestic scene. When I looked straight ahead, the top of the canyon was flat. Looking down, you can see the cliffs that runs deep. I was amazed at how deep it was!

Then we went back to driving some more. Upon entering the stateline, getting closer to San Diego, this is the experience I'll never forget. The setting sun was so bright, it glared into all of our eyes! It was so bright, brighter than here. When the sun is up, it wasn't that bad. Even when it is setting, it was nothing compared to the sun in San Diego. Even our sunglasses weren't much of help to reduce the glare. My dad was amazing on how he continues to drive steadily. He had his visors down and wore his sunglasses. Amazing!

For a long time during the travels, the land were flat. There were slight hills, until we got closer, the hills were steep! We were amazed at the size of the hills, going up and down. Whenever we descend, the sun would be in our eyes. The views were amazing!

The trees there were different. Strange trees. You may not think it is strange, but it was strange to me. Out here, we have native Black Walnut and Burr Oaks, some Birch, Willows and so forth. A variety of shapes, it was cute. But in San Diego, the shrubs were strangely twisted. There were some strange looking tree that I lovingly call, "Broccoli Tree", which is Torrey Pine trees. I still remember many details of the place.

Even the people there thinks differently. Just a little bit different. They are more positive. Here in IL, Most people are laid back, down to earth. Out there, the people are positive, so positive, they radiant "sunshine". It was cool! I enjoyed taking in the fascinations.

For four years, we lived in that area until company in IL called my father back.

End of Part 1

Ok, It is now February... 2008?!

2008-02-09T18:16:00.000-06:00

Here's the update:

I still need a job. At first I thought I was close to getting one until my husband thinks that this manager is pulling the wool over my eyes. or leading me on to believe that there is a job waiting for me. I am not sure.. I just hope that there is a chance for me to secure employment so that I can help take the burden while my husband plan to go for his surgeries.

Last year and so far this year has been a rough year for us.

Recently, I helped "coach" a classroom full of interpreters as they prepare for their IEPA test. And now I am still waiting for their check to arrive. It has been three weeks now. I hope it isn't lost in the mail or something.

That's about it as far is earning money besides helping to care for elderly couple cleaning their house. Small money but it is enough to help pay for gas for my car so that I don't have to touch my husband's money for my car.

ok, enough about that.

You can check out my youtube site... jsharik07. :)

I have videos there that I discussed topics such as Interpreters, Bob's House PepsiCo commercial, Is ASL Fading Away?, and more. Stop by there!

It's November Already?!

2007-11-16T19:26:00.000-06:00

Whoa! The weather is frightfully cold! All of sudden, the temperature dropped so much, I scrambled for my winter coat!

Normally, I would post my vlog up but I feel like writing.

How's my job hunting go? Not very well. In fact, I had to put it on hold for I experienced unusually high blood pressure. Scares me to see it jump from 120/76 to 178/112. Today it is 160/100, still too high even when the doctor prescribed the meds. Seeing that, he changed the meds. I'll take them at bedtime. My husband suggested that I try taking them at bedtime which works pretty well. I don't have to deal with possible dizzy spells, but if there is a coughing, I'll be coughing while I sleep.

I know it is scary... but it is something that I can do about. The hardest thing is when I cook, I cook healthy.. when Husband offers to cook (on days when I am especially exhausted), he does not cook healthy. All hamburgers, hot dogs and pizzas. I told him that I really want to quit those unhealthy lifestyles.

I have the exercise bike here at home, but it is kinda hard cuz I get bored with one type of exercise pretty easily. And with the cold weather approaching, where is my chance to walk outside and enjoy the "beautiful" day?

If you have some ideas and suggestions, I am open for it.

Marcel Marceau

2007-09-27T14:15:00.000-05:00

I just learned (yes, a couple days too late) that Marcel Marceau passed away at a ripe age of 84. His obituary is very interesting, full of fascinating life story. Being Jewish, his father changed the family name (last name) to protect them from Germany during WWII.

I remember seeing him at a play many years ago and seeing the documentary film about him. Even saw him making cameo appearance in Mel Brooke's film saying one french word, "Non!" His mime acting skills seem so effortless, as if it was a natural part of him. It is amazing.

Soon after that, I have met one student who did mime acting at our school. He talked about Marcel and how this gentleman started a trend. I even did a little bit of a skit of my own during a talent show. No one has to know any language to understand him. It was all action, facial expressions, humor, and heart-tugging in the style of mime. A storytelling if you will.

It was the only play that I actually understood! A musical sounded good but I couldn't possibly understand the words they were singing - no matter how slow and clearly they sing, I needed to read along the lyrics on a piece of paper just to understand. A play like "The Color Purple", "Wicked" or even "Sweeney Todd" would fly over my head unless it is done in ASL, captioned, or interpreted.

I hear the words but there are times when I couldn't understand what I'm hearing. It is like being in a room full of Japanese speaking people. You hear them all, every words, every vowels, pronounciations, expressions, tone in their speech, but you have absolutely no idea what they said. None. Or being in a room full of Spanish speaking people, you may have learned a couple of Spanish words but still, no chance of understanding them but hearing bits and pieces of simple words.

That's me. But enough about me, I posted two links on to your right side of this blog - one was Titled Amy Cohen Enfron. She talked about her experience seeing Marcel perform in New York, the other is French Documentary on Marcel. Even though this is completely in FRENCH - a language that I did not learn nor understand, there were couple of clips from his performance.

I remember the steak skit that he was to cut a steak and had trouble cutting. I remember seeing him do that and laughed!

Marcel broke the language barrier in a simple but profound way - MIME. Marcel, may your legend lives on and Rest in Peace!

Deaf Hidden from View?

2007-09-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

I am curious as to what kind of comment you will leave! Please view this video and let me know what you think of it. Share with us on the why's! I know I said "listen", my error! haha... but I'm sure you know what I meant!

My comment on "Amy is furious!"

2007-09-27T11:30:00.000-05:00

This is a video message for her to share that I had forgotten about Gallaudet's postcard that they had mailed out, asking for our financial support in building a Speech and Hearing building.That publish got me very confused.

I had a couple of questions concerning that topic at the end. Does anyone have the answer to that?

Story

2007-09-19T16:19:00.000-05:00

I'll never forget a really sad story. My older son went to Chicago to visit Museum of Science and Industry for a school field trip. After the visit, he was walking back and overheard a conversation between two hearing men. This is what one man said to another:

"Deafness does not exists. It is like Polio. It has been wiped out."

Ok, that was a shocker coming from my son. I told him that he could've turned to the man and say:

"Hahahahahaha... Deafness does not exists? Oh PUH-LEAZ! My mom and dad are DEAF!"

That comment would've thrown that man off kilter.

I am sad to hear that so many Hearing people actually believed that there is no such thing as "Deafness". As long as there are high fever, childhood illness, hereditary traits, medication overdose (in order to save a young child's life - it can happen), etc. - there will always be "Deafness" coming up in every child's life.

Deafness is NOT a disease. It NOT like Polio. That man is dreaming.

Even my son has encountered so many problems with other children his age. Deaf children, even CODA childrens seem to "hate" him for reasons still a mystery. He would approach them to say "hi" in sign language and they would cut them off, flip a finger at him, or even worse - yell at him for the fact that he is hearing. They treated him cruelly. Had I known about this situations, I would've gone up to them and get this circumstances under control.

This is something I do not want for my son to experience - EXCLUSIONS. Come on, Deaf and CODA! Be kind for he was trying to be kind to you! Remember, we were left out in the Hearing world, let's not do this to the hearing children who wants to be friends with us!

I talked to him and learned that he is okay with Deaf adults.. but NOT okay with Deaf children and CODAs. Thanks to their negative attitudes to him, the relationship is damaged. He does not trust any one of them anymore. And he may not trust any Deaf / CODA children in the future.

I asked him, "Suppose, you became a leader of this youth group. And suddenly, one of the hearing teen brought a Deaf teen with him/her. What would you do?"

He said that he would make sure that this Deaf teen would be included in the activity and when he speaks, he would use ASL at the same time so that both the Hearing and Deaf teens would get the message simultaneously.

Now, that's what I call a PERFECT world. A world where more than one opposite Cultures combine together in harmony. And I do mean "working together"!

Utopia?

2007-09-19T15:36:00.000-05:00

What is going on here? I went and applied for a job that was absolutely PERFECT for me. No phone work required, just pure data entry and yet they found someone else? How about when this company said, "When was your last job? I am looking for someone who has been currently working." Good excuse.

Seems to me that most company prefer to hire only hearing people not disabled people. That is MY impression.

Years ago, we used to have a government program called "TJTC" which stands for Targeted Job Tax Credit. The company would get $2,000 Tax Credit for every Disabled person hired for 2 years limit.

One such company hired a whole bunch of Deaf people and got those credits, kept us Deaf working for two years and then fire them all at the same time... well, actually I was there for 2 1/2 years when the company decides to fire all six of us in the same week for several different insignificant reasons.

Out of those six, I knew of two. One worked there for six years without a problem - she was pregnant with her first child in that year. Took 8 weeks maternity leave, by the time she was to return to her place of employment, the boss already filled that position without ever telling her! That boss repeatedly promised job security for her upon returning to work!

Another guy was working there for quite some time and got fired for an unknown reason and here's the doozie: he never once took a sick day off! Perfect attendance record and yet he lost his job.

That company was investigated and later folded. It no longer exists today. Not as far as I know.

Also, TJTC program no longer exists. It was replaced with a new arsenal called ADA - Americans with Disability Act. It was supposed to help us get accomodations for anything / anyplace we need in order to function in this world - public places, employment, etc. I remember cheering when this guy (I'm sorry but I can't seem to remember his name! Something Italian...) signed the words in silence. It was awesome to see him do it and to hear the screams of joy.

Well, I am sad to say that this ADA isn't strongly enforced. What does the company want? A perfect world? A world where they have someone who can multi-task as if they were born with eight arms? A world where the disability are not seen anywhere in the office - no wheelchairs, no white cane, no seeing-eye or hearing dog in sight? Come ON! That's a fantasy world - an Utopia of workplace.

No such thing. We have different color skin, different language, different culture. Why not different disability? We've got those, right? Well, since there are so many of us who happens to have a disability of some sort, we are bound to be seen at a local store, video rental place, resturants, etc.

In other word, "We are EVERYWHERE."

Been away too long

2007-08-01T15:07:00.000-05:00

I know it has been months since my last post! The months were filled with a flurry of activities such as caring for my children, running errands, job search, volunteer work at a local church.

Yes, I volunteered to work at our local church in the office. Mainly, it was cutting papers to size, labelling the CD's that they use for sermons, monitoring the copier machine, folding church bulletins, perforating the bulletins, stuffing envelopes. Mostly the "dirty" work that would have otherwise overwhelmed the already overwhelmed secretary. The poor woman was trying to multitask and realized that she alone cannot have superpower to do them all in a flash.

The job search has been pretty disheartening. Most of them have "found" the person that they have been looking for. I mean, as a Deaf adult, it shouldn't be that hard to be hired. We can basically do anything except that our hearing isn't perfect. Some of us cannot work with phones at all, while some of us can use it to convey our message but only briefly and simply. Nothing complicated.

I am not looking to be an office assistant whereas I'll be answering phone calls. That is one duty that I have not been trained to do, nor can really do it even with the really good hearing aid readily available.

It is too bad that more and more companies out there prefer to combine several different positions into one employee to multi-task just about everything that they don't want to do.

Here is an example of the ever-changing trend that's happening in the workforce today:

Back in the 80's, a title "Assistant Accountant I" involves a simple task of data entering all the invoices into the computer whether it be an account payable or receivable, while another person calls to verify the information they received via mail.

Today's "Assistant Accountant I" involves the above mentioned duty PLUS, call to verify the informations AND to make a decision AND to answer any incoming calls AND to create a complete financial report.

Today's job now requires you to have a degree.. now I know that I've been out of work too long, but I need to get back in the workforce soon and fast before I lose my chance of learning how the companies have changed the way they run their businesses.

It is a crying shame that they prefer a hearing person to fill this position when the ADA law came into effect to say that the company can hire us Deaf with reasonable accomodations.

My reasonable accomodations? I can get the CapTel Phone (I wish that the IP Captel is out already so that it is downloadable and not need to go through the process of getting the special telephone!) or that the position be revamped to the point that I can do everything except to answer phones.

CapTel Phones would not cost them anything, and hiring another person to answer the phones would not be a financially sound decision for the company. I noticed that nowadays, all companies are looking to SAVE money rather than to SPEND money. Just like us.

OH well....

It has been too long to be without jobs and trying to obtain one is even harder than I thought.

Why can't the office hire us just to see if they like us or not?

Whip It!

2007-04-25T15:28:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxH39QlRuhg

Gotta love this funny and cheesy videos.

My first video!

2007-04-25T14:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my new blog!

2007-04-25T13:50:00.000-05:00

This is all so new to me. Later on, I will add a VLOG to this site so that all those who are Deaf, HOH, and Hearing people who are studying ASL, Interpreters, Teachers, anyone who enjoys viewing vlogs can see what I wanted to share with you.

If you have any tips on helping me to improve any areas in this vlog, please post your comment here!

Have fun!