Introduction

Hello, everyone. I’d just like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Rachel, and I’m so excited to be attending and blogging for this year’s HLAA national convention in Milwaukee! I’d like to thank my good friend Rhi Gutierrez (HLA-CA board member and cover girl for the current issue of The Hearing Loss Californian) for nominating me for a scholarship to the convention as well as mentioning my name when Nancy was looking for a blogger. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her! Also, thanks to Hamilton Cap Tel for sponsoring our official blog.

A little bit about me

Age: 23

Born and raised: Orange County, CA

Hearing loss: progressive, bilateral, sensorineural loss, severe to profound in left, profound in right ear

Education: BA in English literature, Chapman University, 2009

Current favorite hearing devices: Phonak Versata P and iCom with Bluetooth/audio input capabilities

Interests: writing, swing dancing, music, captioned movies, travel, volunteering, reading, technology, advocacy for young adults with hearing loss

Personal blog: http://youngandhoh.blogspot.com

That’s it for now. You’ll hear more from me later as I keep you up to date on all the exciting events going on at the convention! See you in Milwaukee!

Hamilton CapTel Sponsors Convention Blog!

I am very pleased to announce that the HLAA Annual Convention Blog is being sponsored by Hamilton CapTel. Check in here during the convention for all the latest news and updates on events, and more. HLAA member Rachel McCallum has generously agreed to be our official convention blogger. Rachel recently graduated from Chapman University and would like to pursue a career in writing and editing - I'd say she is perfect for the job! Be sure to introduce yourself to Rachel McCallum - this is her first convention!

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Convention 2010 in Milwaukee

If you missed my Webinar yesterday, don't fret! It is available for replay. Click here for replay It's filled with information about the events, exhibitors, sponsors and more. So check it out!





Milwaukee Art Museum

AT&T to Sponsor Young Adult Off-site Event!

For years young adults attending the convention have begged and pleaded for an off-site event to call their own. Thanks to the generosity of AT&T, this year we are planning a really fun excursion!


All young adults (ages 18-35) are welcome to go to ComedySportz Milwaukee, a comedy improv club just a short bus ride from the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. You'll enjoy some of the wackiest (yet clean) humor at the communication accessible 10 p.m. show on Saturday, June 19th. More details to follow about where to catch the bus, etc. Bring your funny bones along!


AT&T is also sponsoring the Exhibit Hall Socials: Friday, June 18th is themed Say Cheese (we will be in the dairy state, afterall!), and Saturday's social is No Ordinary Sundae.



Thank you, AT&T!

Convention Attendee Speaks About Her First Time

If you've never been to an HLAA convention, read Christie Nudelman's article about Convention 2009 in Nashville. First-timers get a special registration discount - see the Convention page on http://www.hearingloss.org for all the details.



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