September

In September, I arranged an informal dinner at Pedro’ Mexican Restaurant in Madison, WI to share with the Deaf Community summer activities. The two major events were the trip to England for PEN and another trip to Seattle, Washington for the Lighthouse Retreat for the Deaf-Blind. The attendance was more than I expected. Twelve people showed up, when I was only expecting like five. Those present were very interested in what PEN was and what purpose I had at such a gloriously beautiful castle. I explained to them about the PEN leadership workshop. We had questions and answers about the workshops I had attended as well as other experiences which included socializing with international students and going to London for the day. The discussing included what I learned in England and fortunate I was to have the England trip prior to the Seattle trip because the new information was a real benefit to me in Seattle. I was in Seattle for a deaf-blind retreat as a volunteer interpreter and Support Service Person (aka guide person). Both trips gave me plenty of experiences and knowledge I still use today. Those experiences were the impetuous for pushing me to establish a new life goal of becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI). In Wisconsin, there are very few CDIs. There is really only one which I am aware of. I am committed to taking on an advocacy role for the Deaf Community and I would like to see more opportunities out there for all of us, mainly in the form of more accommodations for all.

I will update after I attend CDI workshop in Chicago on March 6-8th.