Northwest Symposium

Because I was unable to facebook about this last week and all of the amazing things that I was able to experience, I figured that I would blog about it instead. I had the pleasure of spending September 9,10, and 11 in Portland attending the biennial Northwest Symposium on Rehabilitation and Deafness. It was spectacular in so many ways. This conference was accessible to anyone who wanted to attend. First of all, it was free, allowing a college student from Seattle to make the way down and take advantage of all that was there. Secondly there were no less than six interpreters working at any one time, working as voice interpreters as well as signed interpreters. There were also no less than four tactile interpreters for those were are deaf-blind, at least three up close interpreters for those who could not see far enough to see the main interpreters, CART was also available in all sessions, FM transmitters as well as a text to braille for a woman who was deaf-blind. There were two service animals present and several personal attendants. I never once felt left out because there was always someone who could help me communicate with other attendees or presenters. 

As a student in a Rehabilitation Counseling program I never felt left out, even when I was embarrassed by my lack of sign language skills. I never felt like I was not supposed to be there. In fact, I felt encouraged to learn and grow from those around me. I met so many great people who were able to share valuable information.

The presenters were some of the best that I have ever heard from. Now, this is my first professional conference that I have ever been able to attend, but I hope that I get this feeling at every conference that I attend. The first presenter that stands out is a woman named Haben Girma. You can see her and learn more about her at http://www.habengirma.com and you will want to once you know more about her. She was the first deaf-blind student at Harvard Law School. The university was willing and able to assist her with all of the accommodations but one that she asked for. The one that they were not able to provide was because it is not a technology that is available right now. She also recently sat for the Bar exam and is awaiting her scores. She travels around the world speaking about her experience being deaf-blind and what people can do assist those who are deaf-blind be independent.

Brad Ingrao, an Audiologist and Jackie Woodside, a motivational speaker from Massachusetts both hearing, but chose to sign their speeches that I attended.  Brad shared that he adopted a five-year-old deaf boy whom he chose to not get a cochlear implant for him. His son is now 23 years old and heavily involved in the deaf community. After the conference, he shared with me his journey of getting education for his son. Jackie was fantastic. She shared how changing our wording to “I am being productive” vs. “I am busy” can change how we feel and lessen the stress that we feel in our life.

I learned so many great things this week and I enjoyed my time in Portland, even if I did not explore it as much as I could have. I learned several new signs and was able to practice my sign language. On top of everything, two organizations tried to poach me. The Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services said that they have money for stipend for practicum/interns for 2014. The other one that tried to poach me was the California Vocational Services for after I graduate. Through my sloppy signing we chatted and he tried to get me to come work for him once I graduate. I have to admit, it feels great to have people wanting me.

I also learned that there are several other conferences going on in recent times. There is another free conference in October for three days hosted by the Native American Rehabilitation Association in Portland that I might attend. According to my sources, it is a great training on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I am excited to go to Tacoma for another conference in the near future.

What's in a name?

I got to thinking today about the name and purpose of my blog. Fighting Against the Norm. When I was starting this blog, I had recently finished a course which required deep reflection on some of life's great adventures, at least it seemed that way for me; my entire first 13 years of school. I really planned to focus on being the best advocate this country has ever seen for people with learning disabilities, because, well, that is where I was and what I thought defined me. When I started this blog, the first thing that I thought of, was to call it Seeing Backwards, because I see things from a different angle sometimes than others, especially when it comes to reading.
I have come to realize that everything in my life is viewed from a slightly different angle, and, it is not that I am purposefully being different, it is that that is just how I view things. In retrospect, I am glad that I went with Fighting Against the Norm because I am able to discuss what that means to me in several different ways. I still plan to write about being a student with a learning disability (or two) but also life in general.

Long time, no post

Hey all! Long time no posts, I know.
So, just what have I been up to over the last year and a half?

• I graduated with my Undergraduate degree. The ceremonies were awesome. My folks and sister came to see me accomplish one of my great goals for my life. 
• A few months later I relocated to be near my sister, and to get residency with the hope of being accepted to a graduate program in my new home state, since I managed to get denied twice from my program of choice.
• Found a great full-time position that was set to be just a few months and wound up being seven months. I loved it, and I loved the company. When I left I really wanted to find a permanent position there.
• In April I applied for the Rehabilitation Counseling program at the local university and was accepted (Hallelujah).
• In June I was informed that I had been accepted as a full-time student for the program and was so excited. I also applied for the RSA Scholarship, which covers tuition.
• In early July I was awarded the scholarship that I was hoping to get. 
•  I applied for residency and as school was fast approaching I still did not know in mid-september if I had residency, but decided to move forward anyway. 
• The day before orientation I found out that I had been granted residency for my new state. 
• Early October I started my first quarter of Graduate School. It was hard work, but I made it. There were many tears and fears of failing, but thanks to an incredibly understanding professor I was able to successfully complete my first quarter and am ready to take on the next!

Great desires of the heart

I believe that everyone has great desires in their heart. I was talking with a coworker today about life and choices and how things go in life sometimes. I mentioned that I turn 27 this year. In the whole scheme of things, 27 is not that old. Truly, it is not. That said, I watch as people that I have known for years, or for a semester or two get married, which is one of the great desires of my heart. I feel like I have done everything that I have wanted to, and everything that has been asked of me. I have graduated from school, I have gone on a mission, I have gained a great relationship with my family, and yet I have not gotten the one thing that can make me eternally happy, that of a companion. At 18 there was no way that I could have married. By 23 it was looking in that direction, that I could marry and be happy. 23 has come and gone and now, four months out from my 27th birthday I feel truly ready. When will my day come?

Decision day

Today was the day that decisions were made in regards to graduate school entrance. I have been obsessively checking online all day long, and the results are not posted. I was talking with a boss who is also trying to get into the same program as I am at one point today. He said to me, :Jamie, just put it aside and wait until Monday. We probably wont hear anything until then." I then repeated to him a family saying: "Patience is a virtue, posses it if you can. Seldom found in women, and never in a man." Then there is my personal favorite: "Patience is a virtue which I do not have time for." I was talking with another boss and I was expressing frustrations about how my life is really up in the air right now while I wait for information about school and this job that I really want. She said to keep moving foreword and that something will drop soon enough. So comforting, thanks.

Love

Love, according to my friend Webster is defined as : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others.

There is a piece of artwork which I really quite like, and have for years. American Sign Language is my language of choice. Sometimes when I hear people speaking in another language I wish that I had another language, and then I remind myself that I do. I have Sign Language. This piece of artwork is of Christ's hand in the sign for I Love You, showing his palm. I have loved this piece for quite a while, and this last Christmas my parents gave me a copy of that picture in a frame. I have it on a nail in my bedroom, in a place where I can easily see it when I am laying in bed. Many times I have looked at that picture and not thought much of it. I know the symbolism behind it, but until today, it has not had a huge impact on me, at least not the kind of impact that it had today. The last little while have been hard. I was denied Graduate school in March, more and more I feel as though I am missing a very important piece of my life, that of an eternal companion. I yearn for that constant person. To know that there will be someone by my side into the eternities. I have reapplied to graduate school, and today was the day that decisions were made, but I have not heard back yet. I have applied for a few jobs, one I heard back from... they did not want me. That's ok though, I didn't really want them either. With the culmination of everything, I just feel so weighed down. I was sitting on the floor of my bedroom when I laid back and sighed. It was then that I caught a glimpse of the picture, and the meaning behind it. I began to cry. My Savior laid down his life for me. Not just for my sins, but for my pains, my sorrows, my personal struggles. He is there always and he loves me with every fiber of his being. I don't know how, but I know that he has felt the pains of not knowing where ones life is going, even when one feels as though they have done everything that has been asked of them. He knows the pain of wanting something so badly and having to wait, and worrying that the outcome is not what the person wants. He knows what it is like to try and align ones life with the will of the Father. He knows, and he loves me. Each time that I read in 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon when Christ appears to the Lamanites I want to cry. They thrust their hands in his side, they felt the imprints of the nails in is hands and feet. Some times I try to imagine what that must have been like. I do not think that I will ever be able to look at this picture the same again, for it has truly brought on new meaning. The thing about Sign Language is that it is gestural rather than verbal. There are so many layers of symbolism housed in any piece of artwork and I have uncovered just one of the many layers of this one. A layer that holds so much.

It's been a crazy last few weeks. I have applied for a few jobs and grad school. This is the week that I should hear back about school. I am so nervous to hear back. I want to know so badly, yet I don't, because that means that I will have to face my future, weather or not I get in. Three days last week I was working three jobs, and I normally work two. I was supposed to hear last week about school, and it was postponed until this week. Friday to be exact. I have applied twice and taken the MAT three times. I really do hope that I get in. I guess that if I don't I can't say that I did not try, because I did. I tried my very best. I have given it my all, and all that I can do now is sit back and wait. Wait anxiously for Friday to come along.
I last three weeks I have been working in the LDS Employment center and loving every minute of it. I wish so much that they would let me stay there. That is where I want to be. Helping people find jobs. It is a gem of a place. No backstabbing, none of the typical work environment things happening. I keep being asked how I like it over there, and I give the same reaction. I love it. Let me stay! Even the people over there have said that they want to sign a petition to keep me. I think that doing that or working as a Job Coach are my dream places to be.