My response to Jared Evans's blog about cochlear implant and genetic therapy

I was reading the blog by Jared Evans about cochlear implant and how the users are "trapping themselves into obsoleteness." I had to chuckle because it shows his ignorance of cochlear implant technology. The one should check the facts before they write anything about the topic. I myself have two cochlear implants and have no regret of getting them. I was informed my surgeon that I can do genetic therapy to restore my hearing to its natural state when it is widely available. From various tests that I undergoed to measure my residual hearing before and after the implantations. I am proud to say that the residual hearings that I have are preserved beautifully in both ears. So I am not worrying about my natural hearing cells being damaged by the electrode arrays.

The researches proved that the current generation of cochlear implant devices are able to mimcs the full tonal range accurately. There are so many users that are very successful users who benefit from their devices are the walking and living proof that it actually does work!

In my own opinions, cochlear implant is the best technology available for the deaf. Without them, I know I will be in the rut not where I am right now...

My friend and I decided to go clubbing to celebrate my freedom also that I am back home from New York. It was blast and interesting for me at the same time. I decided to just wear my right processor because I hear from that side better than the other side. Wearing two can be cumbersome sometime. I turned the volume to 0 on program 1 which is for everyday use. I could enjoy myself very much but the type of music was strange. It's mix of hip-hop, pop, techno, and rap. I do enjoy rap, hip-hop, and pop but not techo. I find techno too loud for my taste.

My friends communicated via signing because it was too loud for us to talk to each other. Thank god for sign language! We signed all of the night. I got lil tipsy but am able to dance. I also saw a deaf transexual name Natasha there. She's a pretty tall girl. We had nice time catching up the news.

I am glad to be back in Salt Lake City! I actually forgot how many friends I have here in the city.

The trip through hell

I finally made it to Utah! It took me about three days! The last leg was kinda of too tedious for me because of flat plain of Nebraska and Wyoming. That drove me nut!

The first day of driving, I decided to buy the cord that would allows the radio to play my ipod but it didn't work. I was so pissed off that I texted Abbie multiple texts asking for some assistance. But I ended up returning the cord to the Best Buy in Cincinnati where I stopped for the night. I ended up plugged the cord for ipod in the boot of my procesor. That helped me to keep alert for long time. Because three days of driving without any sounds is hellish for me! Except I have nothing to look at but at 18 wheelers... How fun!

Like I said, I stopped in Cincinnati for the night because I have a friend who live there so I decided to make little detour from the usual route to Salt Lake City. We hung out and went to the bar where we did few songs for karaoke. We both sucks at it for sure! He would sing and I sign/cue the song.

The second night, I stopped in Lincoln, Nebraska. I literally passed out when I laid my head on the pillow that I found myself in the same position when I first laid down. But I was so tired the next day that I had to stop at the store or starbuck to get coffee. I just can't live without coffee!

The last day was very hellish because of 18 wheelers having zero patience! They would blaring their horn at me just because I was going 75 mph not 90 or 1o0 like them! I eventually took the processor off because I don't want to hear the horn again. But the drivers still get my finger.

I almost end up getting a room in Evanston, Wyoming but my destination was only 50 miles away so I just toughen up and continue driving. I finally made it! So when I got to my friend's place. I just say "Hi and good night" in the same sentence. I woke up this morning and I know that I really slept that heavy that I wouldn't wake up for anything.

Now, I am in the bed about to fall asleep. Just am happy that I am in better place.. With my processors off because I need the silence.


For those who didn't read my previous blog- please do so you will understand the whole story.

Deaf people and the musics

I was listening to the song by Justin Timberlake and I was thinking about many times when random hearing people would be surprised or shocked that I can actually enjoy musics because I am profoundly deaf guy with implants. I told them that I have implants which helps me to to enjoy the music. It's always funny when people would ask me if I can enjoy musics. Many deaf people don't need any assistance to enjoy music because they just need to feel the beats and vibrations.

I am kind of looking forward to hit the road on Monday because I can hook up my ipod to the car radio to keep myself entertained. I am moving back to Utah due to the unfortunate situation here in Rochester, New York. (Yes- I dropped out of the graduate program because of that too)

Understanding Deaf Culture: in search of Deafhood

I decided to read Understanding Deaf Culture: In search of Deafhood by Paddy Ladd. I got that book about 5-6 months ago at Deaf Studies at Utah Valley University. I got it autographed by Paddy Ladd himself. It has been sitting on my shelf for few months because I basically have no motivation to read it in the first place. But after reading or viewing various discussion about Deafhood. Also, I was getting tired of idle arguments from various people about Deafhood. I just want to find out what's the big deal about whole concept.

About the book, I have to admit that it's bit dry at the first but after few pages- It got me curious about what Paddy have to say. I am very fascinated by the history part because I basically love the history of various cultures, people, and countries. I am only on the first chapter and I have to read the whole thing carefully and slowly. I normally would read fast but with this book, I really cannot do that.

I cannot say that I like it or not. I will have to finish the book first then do some thinking but I will blog about the book once in the while.

The power of equalizer

I have been struggling with finding a right balance for me to enjoy the music. Like I mentioned in one of my post that I grew up with a musical family so I learned how to appreciate music. Everything changed once I was implanted. I start to really appreciate the music more but one thing that I were struggling with is finding the right map that I can everything from bass to vocal. Sometime I would get a map that focus on instrument, bass, or vocal. In reality you have to hear whole thing to appreciate the music.

I confess that I owned two ipods in my life... Nano and Classic. Now, I am thinking about either Itouch or Iphone. Anyway, I just found a feature that you can set your own equalizer. I just spent last hour playing with various option while listening to Like Virgin by Madonna. That's a good hint for many people with cochlear implant to experiement if they own a ipod. The best thing I could suggest is that play around on the computer for while then ipod itself.

If you guys have any hints- just drop a comment!

My phone (sidekick LX) finally can do the video! It was neat for me to play around with it. But it didn't convince me to stay with T-mobile or continue the usage of sidekick after the contract expire. I am sick and tired of having issues with both T-mobile and sidekick. I originally wanted to go with iphone but after playing with it for while at Mac's store- I am not impressed with the device itself. I also don't like blackberry so I don't know what my option will be when it come to the time for me to purchase a new phone.

I am waiting for a mini-controller so I can replace the regular size controller on my Freedom- Maybe I will like Freedom bit better. Who knows! I still favor 3G over Freedom basically I only wear the right one at this moment.

I better get going and finish my laundry.

I had a interesting discussion with my partner. The conversation was about when I was with some friends over the weekend. They don't sign except for the one. I told the person to not feel obligated to interpret for me because I hate when people interpret for me unless it is necessary or I ask them to. At the same time, I wasn't wearing my implant so I relied solely on lipreading. When I got home hours late, I told my partner about my night and he said that he will not do what I do because he would feel oppressed if he have to struggle to understand and when he say something, then the hearing people will feel oppressed too because of communication barrier. Interestingly, I don't feel the same because that's how things function in my own opinion...

What are your opinion?

After I went through various blogs and vlogs. It got me thinking for while. First of all, I don't see any point of people blogging/vlogging and being negative about organizations. I remember reading somewhere about most of deaf people being pessimistic more than hearing people. I have to disagree with that statement because I have met many hearing people who are the same way. Also, I personally know and met many deaf people that are optimistic. I believe that being optimistic is the way to go.

I was trying to decide if I should leave Deafread because the whole censorship and pointing finger are getting tiring. Everybody have rights to voice their beliefs and philosophy. That is the foundation of America- A freedom to express whatever is on your mind. To censor some body's message is considered a violation of the first amendment. But the deed has been done so Deafread have to experience the dominic effect of the decision of editors. But I decided to stay for while and see if thing will improve or worsen. Who knows...

I want to respond to Latana's experience with death of her husband. I think it's a horrible way for her or anybody to find their spouse grasping for the last breath or dead. I had the similar experience with my grandpa. I was 8 at the time and we was very close. I remember that he had stroke and ended up on life support for while. It was against his wish but he didn't state it in the will but he did verbally requested that he wasn't put on any artifical life support long before he had to be in the hospital. But my grandma ignored his request because she wanted him to stay around much longer which is understandable. Now, I am 23 years old and my grandma still haven't forgave herself for doing that. That's why will or any type of notarized declaration is very important! I admire Latana for sharing her personal expeirence which is traumatic for her.

I know I haven't been a faithful blogger but a lot of things going on this summer. I am really enjoying my life as poor person since I am not having any luck with finding a job that have steady income. I am not complaining because it has been interesting experience for me. Right now, I just have to worry about finding that extra 300 dollars for tuition deposit for my graduate study at RIT.

I have been following the whole DBC and AgBell conference by reading blogs, viewing vlogs, and listening to my AgBell friends' perspectives. All I can say is that I am not taking any sides because it is getting tiring. But both conferences are very successful in their own terms which are good in my opinions.

Both of AgBell and DBC have a long way to go if they both want to improve the future generation of deaf children's education and wellbeings.