My First Time at an HLAA Convention
By Christie Nudelman
Last year I attended the HLAA convention in Nashville for the first time. I was the proud recipient of a grant from the Rocky Stone Scholarship program. This was a GREAT to help me offset the cost to get my feet wet with HLAA.
You see, I joined HLAA, Boulder chapter, in March 2009 for my first meeting ever! I got information about the conference and I wanted to connect with others LIKE MYSELF. I heard there was an effort to get younger people to attend, in addition to workshops and fun activities; so I said why not? The conference venue was amazing in itself. It was HUGE, too!
The schedule of events allowed you freedom to attend what you wanted, when you wanted and then some (i.e. after hours get-togethers). The keynote speakers were great, the workshops were well thought out and the parties were always fun! In addition, the people were all so amazing and accepting. At the conference, you are amongst a “like kind” – they don’t ask you about “your accent”, or look strangely at you when you ask them to repeat 3 times! I was amazed to be around so many people who “got me” – they understood me and I could just be myself! I remember one profound moment when I was in the exhibit hall trying out the CapTel phone and I called my mom. I told her, “I feel like I found a home here at this conference!”
Key takeaways I got:
· I made at least 30 new friendships that have continued through Facebook over this past year
· I became proud of my loss knowing I wasn’t alone and it’s OK!
· I became an advocate for myself. I educate my co-workers at the start of a project about my loss and how they can help and I inform instructors in classes and make sure I can always see them. It’s no longer MY problem, but my opportunity to help others understand and make sure I have what I need to be successful!
· Learned about different levels of loss and how people adapt (sign, oral, captioning, hearing dogs – no aids, cochlear implants, deaf).
Did I mention all the friends??
I highly recommend all to attend a conference! Maybe you are curious to make new friends, maybe you have always needed an excuse to visit Milwaukee, maybe you want to know the latest about hearing loss research and technology... whatever the reason, get yourself there and enjoy the long weekend. There is definitely something for everyone! If you have any questions, you can contact me directly at christiejoy@comcast.net
