I find it very interesting to attend conventions where everyone is either deaf or has a hearing loss.   I love meeting people with hearing loss.  There’s alot of common ground.  We all have been there and done that stories to tell and boy some of these stories are awesome.  Its great seeing others in hearing aids, implants and others learning new info.   The Convention was provided with CART, so the seminars were accessible.  One interpreter was present as well for a member who was a signer.

This year we had two members from New Zealand who so happened to sign.  That is, they signed New Zealand sign language.  Knowing ASL, I was amazed at some of the similarities and differences.  I was also amazed at hearing their accents.  Thats right, they have the accent, not me!

 One thing that always appears to be fun is not having any hearing people around.    All of us are speaking but no one there to tell u you’re speaking too loud or telling you u’ve misunderstood what was being said or that you’re speaking out of turn.   Sometimes, I have to admit, its somewhat comical.  Looking around the room, everyone’s mouth is moving but I can’t tell which conversation I’m listening too and for some reason, it doesn’t matter.  No one gets upset about not hearing and everyone is willing to do whatever they can to get the message across.   Of course, sign language is always a good alternative. But most of us are not signers but we are certainly talkers.

The comeradie is just nothing u can get anywhere else.   Anyone have stories to share about their convention experiences in the deaf or hearing loss communities?

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