Already, the Clearwater Beach, Florida, Conference of SayWhatClub is over and we are back home again and feeling as though we have lost something - the physical closeness of those wonderful members of this club we call "ours".
It was a great success, according to the many posts now coming into the Commons list. Only the absence of Bob and Ling marred our enjoyment of the event.
Wednesday saw most of the attendees arriving. How exciting to greet again people we have not seen for a whole year or more! There were hugs galore and visiting into the night. The Welcome Party started it off, with registration, receiving of our bags full of information, and all those hugs and greetings. Afterwards we gathered in various places, including at round tables near our rooms and next to the lovely beach. The day had seemed very hot and finally we were able to feel cooler. I was one of the late ones to arrive at the hotel, and was immediately pleased with the site. And there was Elaine waiting for me - our fifth time as Con roomies!
On Thursday morning we had as workshops "Telecommunications" and "How to Become Unstuck in the Stages of Grieving Hearing Loss". I think we all benefited especially from Lois Maroney's topic of grieving, where she pointed out that in life there are many things which we lose and grieve about, and how that emotion can be very evident when we are confronted by hearing loss.
Thursday afternoon we were free to do our own thing. It was so hot that many of us stayed indoors. The hotel kindly gave us a reception at 4:00 p.m. but it was outdoors near the beach and many of us soon had to leave because of the heat.
In the evening, a number of us went on a dolphin cruise. This was interesting and certainly cooler. It was not very long, and there was some concern that the boat was overloaded. Fortunately, three or four people left the boat and that made it safer. After travelling for a few minutes past long strands of opulent homes, we enjoyed seeing dolphins leaping beside the boat over and over. Overhead flew pelicans and seagulls and the sky purpled as the evening came on.
It was dark when we got back to port. We were confused as to where to find the Jolly Trolley which would return us to the hotel, and wandered from bus stop to bus stop until finally we spied a policeman, who gave us reassurance. Eventually a trolley came along, the policeman on it, and he saw us off to home base. Maybe we were his most exciting happening of the evening! It gave me a good feeling to see his concern and helpfulness.
On Friday I was up early and went into the calm water beyond the beach of white sand. This was right in front of our rooms at The Holiday Inn at Clearwater Beach. In the background was a low, pretty island, and a graceful bridge. It was a lovely spot from which to observe the oncoming day.
Friday's first workshop was about Cochlear Implants, by Advanced Bionics. It was interesting as I looked about the room, to see how many attendees were wearing one or even two of the devices. The workshop gave information and was an opportunity to ask questions and describe CI experiences.
After a break fuelled by coffee and nibbles, we were into the Circle Discussion, always a favourite and usually hosted by Bob Elkins. Leading it this time were Susan Dohne and Jan Christensen. They explained that Bob had thought long and hard about whom he would ask to fill in, and the long and the short of it was that he asked them. Now, if you know Susan and Jan, you will have an instant mental image of Susan, barely able to see over the lectern, and Jan, towering above her. Very effective! "Mutt and Jeff", Susan said afterwards!
Circle Discussion brings out many stories and is a chance to exchange views and advice as well. Someone reported being told "Oh, you don't look deaf!" Someone else: "Can you drive?" to which she had replied "Yes, not with ears, with hands." The subject of bluffing came up and someone said in bluffing, he "...could have donated a kidney, for all I knew." Positives of deafness was another slant, and Jazzy mentioned how one of the positives for her was meeting special people she would never have met otherwise. Yes, we all enjoy and gain from Circle Discussion. Jan and Susan, having learned from the master, very capably hosted this one. You have competition now, Bobee!
Friday afternoon was a quiet one for me, with some visiting and last-minute meetings.. Several of us had walked to IHOP (International House of Pancakes) for lunch. At 7 p.m. was the Karaoke. That was my first Karaoke and it was great fun to see everyone joining in with much joy and vigour, dancing and singing the evening away.
Saturday, the first workshop was "The Mysteries of Social Security Disability" by Eric Bolves, P.A. I found this an interesting workshop and despite the apparent dryness of the topic, the presentation was frequently entertaining and amusing. Mr. Bolves dealt with many aspects of the subject, including that SSA's definition of a disability is unique and a serious condition does not necessarily mean that a person is disabled. To illustrate, he gave a long list of jobs which might be considered to be suitable even for someone severely disabled, including sexing of chickens! He mentioned that generally SSA was difficult to obtain but varied from state to state and that in one state - New York , I think - in his opinion you could get SSA for a hangnail!
Saturday's second workshop was a husband and wife presentation, by Denise and Dr. Terry Portis. The subject was "A Personal Look at Hearing Loss". (Dr. Portis is a counselling psychologist and executive Director of SHHH.) Their presentation was about the family perspective and psychological implications of hearing loss. It was a subject to which we could all relate.
Saturday afternoon kept me and several others busy as we set up the silent auction, and what a great collection of donations we had! Most people seem to enjoy this method of raising some money for SWC and we had generous donations of everything from blankets to a decorated goose egg.
The banquet saw us seated at round tables nicely decorated, and a "Please Face Me, I Read Lips" button sitting at each place. The food was excellent, including the special Key Lime Pie! Denise Portis was the guest speaker. Her subject was "Self-Checkout Lines in a Silent World", her humorous description of going through the self-checkout of her food store and dealing with current technology and "helpful" teenagers at the same time.
The evening wound up with the silent auction last-minute bidding and then claiming of "prizes". And also, there were pictures being taken and much last-minute visiting.
Sunday came, and Town Meeting. Because of my early flight, and much to my regret, I could only grab a bit of breakfast and had to miss the meeting. Elaine and I bussed to the airport, waved goodbye, and were off to our respective flights. Despite having to change planes both going to the Con and returning from it, I probably had the smoothest trip of the five I have now had. This is not a complaint!
In closing, I would like to mention my appreciation of all the work and thought that went into this whole event, from the fine Convention Booklet created by Alan and Peggy to the long and the short of it, Susan and Jan, and so many others. Already people are planning for the 2006 Con in St. Louis! See you there!