The SayWhatClub convention in Florida - day two

Jan Christensen

Copyright 2005

FRIDAY

From Maurice:

The second workshop was the Circle workshop that Bob Elkins had formed, but he wasn't there to conduct. Susan and Jan conducted the workshop in his place, and it was wonderful. I would hope that Susan and Jan could publish some of the questions they asked that gave us all deep thoughts about our disabilities and our abilities to help other with our experience. So many hands were raised, it was almost impossible for everyone to give their story. But the stories that were given helped everyone. The long and the short of this is, Susan is very short, but Jan is very tall. Between them, they helped us do a lot of soul searching. Sometimes it was funny, like Mutt and Jeff.

This workshop ended on positive thinking. Our hearing loss has resulted in our being members of this wonderful Say What Club. This, I think, was the thinking of everyone present. If I did not have a hearing loss, I would not know these wonderful people.

Here we go, and thank you for requesting them. I think we had great group participation, and I felt as if I were one of the group in participating. I would guess Jan felt that way too [yes, indeed, Jan felt that way too--the audience made is so easy for us]---I thank you all for being kind to us, and the active responses that kept the flow/mood rolling right along. Hugs to you all!

1. How do you tell strangers about your hearing loss, and how much do you explain in the beginning?
   
2. What do you think is the hardest part about living with your hearing loss?
   
3. Can we name some of the positives about having a hearing loss?
   
4. How do you explain if you lost your hearing later in life to your family,and how did it affect them, or does it still affect them?
   

Friday night was KARAOKE night! Most everyone gathered to sing and dance and have fun.

Friday night was karaoke night and what a party it was! I've never seen so many people enjoy karaoke as much as our group did. Not only singing songs to each other but also cutting a few dance steps on the dance floor. I guarantee that every one of us that night was only a teenager - well, at least for a little while. From the electric slide to the twist, and even a little locomotion train passed through the room a couple times - whatever there was .going on we had a great crew of dancers! There was not a single one of us that didn't make it to the dance floor at least twice (that I'm aware of). And I got pictures (171 of them)!!!

We got back in time for the Karaoke Evening. We had a good time, and I met even more friends who had come late. I even got up and helped sing, "I am a Woman." Remember, so many people think that because of my name, I am a man.

Read on about day three: NEXT