Mark Gasaway
A Day With Georgia Legislators
Jan 29th
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 dawned cloudy and fair with no forecast for wet stuff, whether it be rain or snow! It was a cold early morning as I went to the bus stop with my dog, Chester, to catch the bus to go to the Georgia Capitol for Blind Day, where I knew I would see other members of the Georgia Blind Coalition of which I am a Committee Member.
Before leaving home and knowing I would be late arriving there, I sent a text message to Michelle Hope to see what she was up to and when she would leave her home to head for the Capitol. She and I exchanged a few messages until I left for the bus stop. Later while I was on the bus she sent me a text message wanting to know where I was headed so I told her. We met at the MARTA Avondale Station where she gave me a ride the rest of the way to the Capitol. Bless her heart!
When we arrived at the legislative building where the meeting for the blind and deaf-blind was taking place everyone was leaving the meeting room to go to the Capitol to listen to Governor Perdue’s State of the State address. Everyone went up to the third floor to the balcony area. Knowing that area is not good for interpreting to the deaf-blind I got a pass with two interpreters to sit inside the Chamber where the speech was to be given.
While there, one of the interpreters with the group on the balcony entered the chamber to let me and my interpreters know that everyone was going back to the legislative building to talk ’strategies’ with the legislators after the State of the State Address. I was getting my things, preparing to leave when the Governor entered the room meaning I and my interpreters were ‘confided’ to the chamber to ‘grin and bear it’ through the Governor’s address as we could not leave. The State of the State was not all that bad because in it the Governor talked about giving state money to groups that needed it That got me to thinking how much the Blind and Deaf-Blind Communities really needed more money for better services and the like.
Upon leaving the chamber I was met by Michelle Hope and two others with her. She asked where I had been and I told her I got locked up! She said the three had been looking all over for me! Sorry, Michelle but you just don’t know the Capitol!
The four of us then hiked across the street to the Legislative Building to join the rest of the blind and deaf-blind group and eat lunch cause I had a grumbling tummy.
We all enjoyed some lunch from Chic-Fil-A and afterwards waited for several legislators to arrive to speak to the group. I can’t remember the legislators names but we had three I think come to talk to us. A female legislator came first with two other legislators following her when she had left. I think the pair that spoke to the group were Senators who spoke together as a team and reminded us in bits and pieces of the Governor’s State of the State Address.
l listened to the legislators and then listened to questions and comments from the audience. The information shared by both was well meant with some of it very interesting. Believing I had heard enough of what had been said I raised my hand to signal I wished to speak.
After a while of waiting and waiting I was finally acknowledged. I had two interpreters with me so naturally I motioned for the interpreter to begin speaking for me as I signed.
“After listening to you speak of the Governor’s State of the State and things he said about giving the money to groups that need it, I really appreciate your coming to talk to us.”
“However, after listening to you both talk about the economy and how it has affected the revenue of Georgia, I have to say that I believe using the economy is a poor excuse for a reason as to why Georgia has not been helping the Blind and Deaf-Blind Communities.”
“In the past under several Governors when Georgia had a good economy there was little support given to the Blind and Deaf-Blind Communities. This is not acceptable that you use the economy as an excuse for not trying to help these communities. We really need the services but we have had to wait and wait.”
“I would appreciate it if you both would help your fellow legislators and the Governor understand our needs and ask them to support us as we attempt to gain monetary support.”
That message came from my heart, mind, and soul and started the audience to more discussions especially about Support Service Providers for the DeafBlind.
The legislators pledged to see what they might be able to do. The discussions continued until time for the group to leave the room.
Deaf Dog Returns Home Nine Days After Escaping Hospital
Jan 18th
by Michelle Toglia (Subscribe to Michelle Toglia’s posts)
Jan 14th 2010 @ 1:00PM
kip Dickstein, Times Union
Luna, a deaf American bulldog mix, was found and returned to her owners in good health after she escaped her boarding pen at Shaker Veterinary Hospital in Latham, N.Y. on January 2, reports Omidog.com.
When the rescue dog ran away, Ralph and Shelley Rataul feared the worst for the family pet. Shelley posted an $800 reward, which consisted of their money, donations and a contribution from the Veterinary hospital, reports Albany’s Times Union.
The 4-year-old dog was found when a couple discovered her in their backyard and recognized her from a story that appeared in the Times Union the previous week. They called the hospital after the frightened dog refused to go into their house.
The couple who found Luna refused both the money and recognition for their good deed. They said they’d like the reward to go to charity instead.
Rataul told the Times Union that half of the money will be donated to the ASPCA and the other half to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in the name of the couple who found Luna.
While it took a while for Luna to recognize Rataul when he came to the couple’s backyard, once she realized it was him, the pooch leaped into the arms of her joyful owner.
“She’s not an outdoors dog, not a hunting dog, but some instinctual stuff must have kicked in,” Rataul told the Times Union about his dog’s survival. Vets said Luna lost about 12 pounds during her nine-day flee.
Luna’s escape didn’t just affect her worried family. When word got around town that Luna disappeared from the hospital, 200 volunteers devoted their lunch breaks and after work hours to searching for her in woods, parks and even via Facebook.
Dee Deen’s Tavern, a nearby eatery, left prime rib outside when they heard about the missing dog, reports the Times Union.
Security footage in the hospital revealed that Luna pushed open her crate and made it past three doors. Ken Wolfe, assistant director of the hospital told the Times Union it was the first time a dog has ever walked out the hospital door before. Wolfe says the hospital has now changed their locks.
As for Luna, the wandering dog will now sport her very own dog GPS.
AADB Programs and Services
Oct 18th
Information Clearinghouse: provides Information, referral and technical assistance on topics related to deaf-blindness.
A Support Service Provider Summit, whose purpose is to examine how SSP services can be increased and improved across the country.
A Deaf-Blind Technology Summit, whose purpose is to see how technology can be more accessible and affordable for deaf-blind people.
Deaf-Blind Count, a project to determine ways to obtain more exact statistics of people with dual vision and hearing loss around America.
National Task Force on Deaf-Blind Interpreting is collaboration between AADB, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers. This collaboration will enhance the quality of interpreting services for deaf-blind people, and increase the number of interpreters qualified to work with them.
Support AADB:
Your tax deductible contribution will help support much needed programs and important projects to ensure that all deaf-blind people achieve their maximum potential through increased independence, productivity, and integration into the community.
American Association of the Deaf-Blind
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 121
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3803
