2009–The Count Down Has Begun Again

squared circles – Clocks

Originally uploaded by Leo Reynolds

Another year is over, and I’m asking myself what I’m going to do with the gift of time I’ve been given once again.

I don’t believe in resolutions. They seem so . . . resolutionish. I’ve always felt like a failure when I didn’t follow through on a New Years resolution. But goals– yeah that’s something I can aim for. A goal is something you TRY to accomplish, and keep trying. No failures. So after blogging about what I learned a couple days ago, I decided to list my goals for 2009.

The past few months I’ve been thinking a lot about how I handle my deafness and what I can do to be more effective. It sucks that my hearing went. A lot of things suck. I wish for more accessibility almost everywhere. Sometimes I think about how much easier my life would have been if . . . But that was then and this is now and there’s so much more to do!

So here goes.
1. After discovering how important socializing with deaf people was to me last summer, I realized I need to spend more time with them. Since I cannot connect in person with some of those whose friendships I enjoy so much, I vow to get a webcam before the end of January. I look forward to improving my ASL skills with it, as well.

2. Not long ago I met a woman who makes a point of writing at least one letter a month in support of some kind of accessibility issue for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. WOW! Instead of complaining about lack of access, from now on I’m going to write my senators and local public businesses, and maybe even the local newspaper. Nothing may come of it, but this will give me a sense of accomplishment. Instead of complaining, I’ll actually be doing something. I have been especially inspired by the guys who brought suit against the Redskins and also by a local advocate who has been working with our Seattle theaters for better deaf access.

3. I plan to read more. When you’re deaf, it’s easy to fall behind in information. Others who can hear seem to absorb it all without trying. I need to make more of an effort to find out what’s happening, since I’m not being bombarded with aural information all day long. While the lack of unwanted noise is peaceful, I have to admit that it’s time to rejoin the world. I’m pretty sure born Deaf people come by all this naturally, but since I am late-deafened I have to re-learn how to access information without my ears. I have felt set apart from the rest of the world for awhile now, and I’ve become disconnected/disinvolved in ways I don’t want to be. So– I plan to read more in order to stay up to date.

4. I know a couple deaf people who work with the needy at their local food banks. They inspire me. Like them, I plan to step outside deafness by devoting some time each week to non-deaf issues. While d/Deaf causes are very important to me, helping others who aren’t deaf may serve as a good reminder of the many ways I’ve been blessed. The other day I discovered a website dedicated to knitting teddy bears for African orphans and victims of AIDS/HIV, and this gave me an idea. I was fortunate to have a happy childhood with two loving parents, a warm blanket, and many dolls and toys. I plan to spend time knitting items for a temporary shelter that houses abused women and their children. I have collected children’s books for this shelter in the past, and will continue that, but knitting things that may bring comfort to small children during a homeless transition is something I will truly enjoy.

5. Other hobbies I intend to spend more time doing include drumming, photography and gardening. They’re good for my soul.

So that’s it. I will end with a meditation I read in a book called, “Crones Don’t Whine” It’s so appropriate for those of us struggling with late-deafness.

That was then. This is now. I am. Peace.

Happy New Year too!

That was then. This is now. I am. Peace!