[nfb-db] New and introducing myself

[Scott Davert]

Hello janice.
yes, this seems to be my biggest issue with the FM system. I suppose
it's a comment on my issues with denial about my hearing loss to some
extent. I mean, I intelectually know that's what I have to do, but
actually  forcing myself to insist on people using it seems to be my
challenge. To say I get annoyed at myself for this would be an under
statement.
I too very greatly appreciate the receivers that the amature radio
devision offers! I told Curtis this several times, and insisted he
keep some of the money I put down for my deposit to use toward the
devision. They're providing a great service, and since I'd struggle
greatly to help run the table, I figured this was the only way I could
show my appreciation. I suppose it also helps that I am an amature
radio operator myself, so I have a soft spot, but I do things like
that for people who help me out all the time.
I hope that you can determine the issue  that Destiny has, and can get
her medicated for it. Poor dog, and poor you for having to endure that
experience on your own.
Have any of you who have gone to convention ever asked for an SSP? I
wonder if this is something that could help us all a great deal, and
if requesting something such as this wouldn't be considered equal
access? I'm new to the idea of SSP's though, so I realize I could be
totally in the wrong ballpark in terms of my thinking.

Scott

On 7/11/12, Janice Toothman <janice.toothman at verizon.net> wrote:
> Thanks Marsha for introducing yourself to the list and sharing your
> difficulties at the recent National NFB convention in Dallas.
>
> Above all else, I was fortunate to be paired with a smart guide dog
> named Destiny. She is a 6 year old golden lab/flat cross from Guide Dog
> Foundation for the Blind (GDF) in Smithtown, NY. I would not have
> managed to go where I needed to go without her. Since the days when I
> first got her at GDF and we hadn't become an established working team,
> she remembered places after only one visit! One trial was all it took.
> Without this ability, I would have been lost countless times at the
> convention.
>
> Like Marsha, I also use hearing aids and and an FM system which work
> well in certain situation but not others. I found the marble tiles in
> the corridors produced echoes. This made it impossible to have a
> conversation with anyone unless they wore the FM system.
>
> Scott I appreciate the awkwardness you might feel in passing the FM
> receiving in order to hear what others are saying. I know that it does
> cause a delay as the FM is passed to the person wishing to speak. But if
> an announcement is made in advance letting people know of what to expect
> might explain  not only the reason for delay but also tell what (the FM)
> is being passed. This is probably more preferable than to have sit in
> silence while others around you have a discussion that you might have
> origination. This has happened to me many times until I decided to be
> proactive and admit that I am hard of hear/deaf and ask for the
> assistance of others in contributing to the conversation.  Some might be
> put off and that is a risk, but then others might be will to learn about
> the deaf and what it is that they are holding after your discussion is
> over. In this way, you can become an advocate for the deaf-blind when we
> ask for assistance. Because the majority of people are either naive or
> deaf-blind from a psychological standpoint.
>
> Because Burnell Brown, the President of the Deaf-Blind Division and I,
> the secretary were the only officers attending the convention this year.
> Both of us were required to work the DB table in the exhibit hall. I was
> a nightmare. I couldn't hear Burnell standing next to me at the table
> due to  all the background noise which made the FM useless. It was very
> frustrating when people asked for things and I couldn't understand them.
> I think we didn't do as well because of the communication problem and
> because we didn't sell more Braille t-shirts. We sold all of last years
> "Orlando 2011 Braille Alphabet" t-shirts for $5.00. We have 30 /60 hats
> that have National Federation of the Blind on them and the Hozit in
> Black, Khaki, Green and Navy. We also have peanut brittle left.
>
> I am always grateful for the FM receivers that the Radio Division people
> give out and the $40 I get returned to me. At least I know that I can
> hear the general assembly and the banquet. I gave up trying to visit the
> booths in the exhibit hall except when they had for sponsors only. I
> talked with Freedom Scientific about their Focus 40.
>
> Being in a crowded room makes my vertigo worse. I also have more balance
> issues standing for a long period of time. GDF fitted Destiny's harness
> with a "upper" stationary handle for added balance. This affects my
> sense of direction. I frequently don't know which direction sounds come
> from. This frustrates people when the call from across the room or
> something. I don't know what direction to turn. However, Destiny can
> often located them and take me to them when I am clueless.
>
> Destiny had a seizure on Sunday. It lasted 5 minutes and she was
> semiconscious or unresponsive to name or command for 30 minutes. This
> was around noon in the Atrium lobby cafe. I couldn't get in touch with
> anyone at that time. Once she was able to walk, the security guard
> escorted me to the "pool" elevator which opened right around the corner
> from my room of 1225. He suggested I let her rest for an hour before
> going about. My home vet recommended seeing an emergency vet. It took
> awhile to find Marion Gwizdala, NAGDU president, to contact Mark
> Brittany of GDF. Mark and I went to the ER clinic and the vet indicated
> that Destiny looked fine 4 hours later so he thought it was safe and
> cheaper to postpone bloodwork until we return home. Destiny went to our
> regular vet on Monday to have the required bloodwork following a
> seizure. Those results suggested a low thyroid due to her low T-4.
> However, the values for this test tend to fluctuate and as such were not
> considered to be a good indicator of hypothyroidism. Another test that
> was more reliable that would determine if she had hypothyroidism. The
> vet said low thyroid can induce seizures. Now I am waiting for another
> set of lab results.
>
>
>
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