It has been yet another challenging year for me.  During the summer, I was feeling good about myself being included in a group, and then months later has led into another disappointment.  But I have gained more experience for building relationships with people, learned from my past mistakes, and have not given up on myself with the support of my family and “true friends” I have today.  I am confident to take the next road that will lead to success.

As the year comes to an end, I should look back on the positive things.  I completed 24 sessions with a physical trainer.  That was helpful for me to reduce anxiety and get in better shape.  I was actually able to beat my 9-year niece in arm wrestling. :)  I took my first trip alone to New York City.  It was something adventurous that I had never done before and I’m proud of myself for doing it.  The New York trip has built up confidence in me to get out more and try different things.  I have done some volunteer work but I didn’t do as much as I should have.  At the very least, I started something and plan to pursue more in the new year.

During the past several months, my hearing loss community has continued to grow.  I made new friends along the way from all over the country.  It has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done by helping people in a community.  I’m getting more involved with the hearing loss chapter group here in Milwaukee.  I’ve taken the role of being a volunteer coordinator for Milwaukee Walk4Hearing in May 2009.  This is a job I had also never done before.  It will be a good experience for me especially when it comes to social interaction.

I believe the year 2010 will be a turning point in my life.  My plans for the New Year will bring good things and the dreams I have will come true.  I will work hard to become more active; whether joining a class, getting involved in activities, or doing some volunteer work.  The key is to find what you’re interested at and not stay home doing nothing.

I am excited to start the New Year.

Opening topic for Chat Night:  Your plans for the New Year

I think the beginning of the New Year is the most important day.  I know everyone wants to start a brand new year and reach the goals they have been longing for.  That is why they call it a New Year’s resolution.  As for my resolution, I bought a new daily planner.  The things I will write on my planner will help me be more outgoing, get things done, and stay organized.  My primary goal is to get more people involved and spread the word about my hearing loss community which is beneficial to all of us in the group.  I have been feeling good about myself reaching out to others and will continue to do this in the New Year.

Share your plans for the New Year.  Join us in the last Open Chat Night of the year!

www.OpenChatNight.com

Thank you all for reading my blog postings for 2009.

Best wishes and have a Happy New Year!

Opening topic for Chat Night: Family and Friends

It’s the Holiday season.  There is nothing more rewarding than spending time with your family and the people you care about.  As we carry on interesting conversations related to hearing loss, it’s not just about us in the chatroom.  It’s also about our family and friends who have become part of our lives. 

I am the only one with a hearing loss in the entire family.  Even though my parents and elder sister cannot experience what I’m going through, they have been very supportive and understanding, and my 12 year-old nephew admires what I have been doing with the hearing loss community.  I don’t have many close friends and I feel good being surrounded by family.

I just want to give everyone the opportunity to share their story about the people they care about.

www.OpenChatNight.com

Happy Holidays!

Opening topic for Chat Night: Cochlear Implants

I was truly inspired by a story on NBC Today Show.  Three siblings were born profoundly deaf and got cochlear implants on the same day.  Here’s a link to the story: Three siblings get gift of hearing on same day.

I was born with mild to moderate hearing loss and my parents didn’t know about my hearing problem until I was three.  My mother told me that my face lit up the first time I wore hearing aids.  She had never seen that look on my face and was happy to see such a big smile. I was very fortunate and lucky to hear all the sounds as a normal person would hear.  So, I can relate how this opened a new world for the three siblings.  I know it is a gift and blessing that will change their entire life.

Before I started my hearing loss community, I didn’t know anything about this medical technology.  I have learned that the implants directly stimulate the auditory nerves in the inner ear.  It is a much different technology than hearing aids which amplify sounds. 

One of the chatroom members lives in New York and is going to get a cochlear implant on New Years Eve.  She is very excited and nervous, and I wish her the very best.

For anyone who has or is planning on getting the Cochlear Implant, I think it would be a great story to share with others in the chatroom.  It will help everyone realize and understand the process and possibilities.

www.OpenChatNight.com

Opening topic for Chat Night: Your hearing loss story

When I started Open Chat Night on August 2009, many people attended to share their hearing loss story.  Everyone had gone through different experiences; there were people born deaf or hearing impaired, and some had lost their hearing due to ear infections and other illnesses at a younger age.

I have been seeing lots of new people recently join the group.  You’re all invited to share your hearing loss story during Wednesday’s Open Chat Night.  I have a wonderful group of people here coming in regularly to share their experiences and bring up interesting conversations.  For those in my group who haven’t joined yet, just remember that you are not alone in this world so join in and have some fun!

Here’s my hearing loss story for anyone interested in reading: http://www.outerchat.com/?p=11.

I am excited to chat with you all on Wednesday.

www.OpenChatNight.com