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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Hello all,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I just subscribed to the list. Recently I went to the national
convention, but was unable to get to the social. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Just a quick intro, I ‘m Marsha. I live in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">PA</st1:State></st1:place>
with my Seeing Eye dog and husband. Hubby and I have been married for 3 years now.
My guide Emma, is a 6 and half year old GSD, who will most likely be retired soon.
Emma has had a number of health and stress issues lately. I am a full time student
at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Temple</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> trying to get my degree in social
work. I am considered a junior and have two long years left. I am totally blind
with a moderate to severe hearing loss. I also have balance problems that accompany
the hearing loss. Currently I use hearing aids with an FM system, but I still can’t
hear all that I need to with that amount of equipment. Traveling is the hardest
by far, as I can not hear traffic, and get lost very easily. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I discovered in 2007 that I was losing my hearing, and since
then I have lost more and more. The ENT thinks that I have Meniere’s. I have
been totally blind for a number of years, and have dealt with the social aspects
of that. I just find being hearing impaired is very hard. I spend so much energy
trying to hear what people say to me, or where I am at, or traffic, and the list
goes on. If I could have ear transplants I would be first in line. Like for example
at the national convention, it was like a hearing nightmare. I used the FM receivers
the ameture radio division had out for loan, and for the first time I was able to
hear all of the speakers. But if someone was sitting next to me I could not hear
them. I got lost so many times in the big room that general session took place.
Talking to anyone in the exhibit hall was almost impossible to hear what they said
back to me. Lots of times, people would say something, and I would pretend I heard
them. If my husband had not been there to tell me what people said, or help me get
around, I could have not done it. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>How do you all do it? Sorry for sounding stupid or lame. I know
everyone has way worse problems than I, so my complaints, are not really that, but
I needing to get tips and tricks. Why I didn’t sign up for this email list
before now, I am not sure. Some of you might recognize me, I am the moderator of
the NAGDU email list. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A good friend recommended that I join, so thank you to her for
that. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Marsha <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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