© 2008
Convention 2008 - Let Freedom Ring
by Bet Whitcomb
At the close of the 2007 SayWhatClub Con the organizers faced a daunting task - plan a convention that would entice more attendees or the Con would become a thing of the past. The final verdict is in - they, especially Donna Penman, more than merely succeeded. They orchestrated one of the finest Cons ever.
Guests began to arrive as early as Sunday at the Holiday Inn, located in Philadelphia's Historic District (a redundancy, if you ask me, as all of Philadelphia is steeped in history). By Wednesday afternoon, most of the more than 80 attendees were on the scene. There was a healthy mixture of first timers and old veterans, each bringing their own brand of excitement to the Con. Much of that first day was devoted to putting faces to names on the one hand and to renewing acquaintances on the other. From the start, one could sense the good feelings that permeated our various meeting places. The culmination of the first day's activities was a reception hosted by Donna and other organizers. There we were presented with our convention survival kits, lovely and sturdy bags containing all the information we would need as well as some extras, most notably some Tasty Kakes Butterscotch Krimpets to whet our appetites.
Thursday brought the opening day of workshops. Neil Bauman opened up the day with an informative talk on ototoxic medications. We learned that there is much more to be concerned about than consequences for our hearing, as ototoxic drugs can affect balance, vision, short-term memory, and a host of other processes. Neil's presentation went beyond the allotted time, due to the number of questions and comments it invoked in the minds of the audience. Some believed that his talk included scare tactics which suggested that much-needed medications should be avoided due their ototoxicity, while others felt that his point was that we need to be aware so as to make informed choices, weighing both the benefits and the risks of various medications. It is unfortunate that there was insufficient time for each opinion to be expressed and fully discussed.
The next workshop opened our eyes to the wonders of Sprint Captel, a web-based captioning system for the telephone.
After a short break, Gayl Hardeman, our CART provider, presented a workshop on the availability of remote CART. The remarkable contributions of Gayl throughout the Con deserve recognition. Her selfless providing of CART services despite illness, made each workshop accessible to all.
After the workshops it was time for the volunteers' appreciation luncheon followed by the much-acclaimed Duck Tours. SWC'ers filled two of these amphibious vehicles and were treated to an entertaining and informative tour of Philadelphia's Historic District and the Delaware River. In one of the vehicles there were concerns about members not being able to hear the tour guide. Our own Brenda Dawe came to the rescue, perching herself on a rather precarious looking seat near the driver, interpreting as we rolled along.
The rest of the afternoon was ours to explore Philadelphia on our own. Some ventured to Reading Terminal Market, others visited museums, still others shopped. Two workshops were offered after dinner. I gave a talk on self defense, addressing the specific needs of the hearing impaired. Neil followed this with his remarkable display of antique hearing aids. Members lingered for quite some time, fascinated by the change in hearing technologies throughout the years.
More workshops greeted us on Friday. First there was a well-received presentation by Wendy Cheng, founder and president of the AAMHL (Association of Adult Musicians with Hearing Loss).
A second workshop, offered by Tina Childress and LeAnne Boone, focused on CIs and the use of Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs).
Members then went their separate ways in search of lunch before meeting for a tour of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. This tour gave all an insight into the early days of our country and its struggle for independence. Seeing the Liberty Bell and reading about its impact on freedom seeking people everywhere is an experience that will live long in our memories. Members then dispersed for dinner, but met promptly at 7:30 that evening for the famed "baseball" game.
Saturday morning was the time set for the annual Town Meeting. Here it was announced, among other things, that next year's Con would most likely be in Portland, Oregon. After lunch, several members gathered for a tour of the Philadelphia Art Museum. All were awed by the stunning collections the museum holds. The rest of the afternoon was free for most, while Dorothy and helpers set up the Silent Auction. Bidding began at 6:00 and continued throughout the banquet. After eating we were treated to an excellent performance by members of the AAMHL. We heartily applauded the talent, perseverance, and courage of these wonderful performers. We also expressed appreciation to Ed Morand, who accompanied Janice's vocal performance. Donna then presented awards to the various people who helped her organize this wonderful convention. Donna was surprised when she, too, received some awards. One was a plaque from SWC; the other was one of Julie's famous Cabbage Patch creations, complete with a Philadelphia Phillies uniform and
dual CIs. While the results of the Silent Auction were determined, we all signed cards for Maurice Wilson, who was unable to join us.
The 2008 Con will be remembered as one where not only did freedom ring, but so did the hearts of all attendees. They rung with the feeling of camaraderie, with a sense of appreciation, and with the knowledge that we are one great big, caring family.