Peer Support Program Presents · through perseverance. "Desire is the key to motivation, but it's...
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Peer Support Program Presents... ~ Welcome ~ A Thank You to our sponsors and supporters…
Transcript of Peer Support Program Presents · through perseverance. "Desire is the key to motivation, but it's...
Peer Support Program Presents...
~ Welcome ~
A Thank You to our sponsors and supporters…
Foreword from Co-Founders Bowen Tang, B.Sc., B.Ed.
Place of Residence: Burnaby, B.C. Education: M.Ed. Candidate in Deaf Education, Smith College Current Occupation: Centre Instructor, Sylvan Learning Level of Hearing Loss: severely profound, bilateral Assistive Technology used: hearing aid (R), cochlear implant (L) ASL Proficiency: Basic Activities & Hobbies: watching all Oscar-nominated films Hello!
I cannot tell you how excited I am to welcome you all to the Mix n’ Mingle event, the first of which I hope to be an annual event for many years to come. In the 23 years of my life, there were many obstacles I had to overcome and I could not have done it without the tremendous support I’ve received from my parents, friends, and professionals who are dedicated to their work in providing exemplary services. I am truly grateful to be part of a community which strives to promote a better future for persons with hearing loss. It is with this appreciation that I want to do the same for our next generation, and hence the founding of the Peer Support Program. I strongly believe that in addition to parents and professionals, it is as equally important to seek counsel and support from your peers, people who had similar experiences and could truly understand what you are going through. Each of our 11 facilitators has a diverse background but many of them went through the same struggles as you did. Hear how they overcame the odds and came to where they are today. I certainly hope you will come out of the event knowing that it is no longer a question of “If” you will be successful, but “when” you will be successful. As Glinda the Good Witch from Wizard of Oz would say, “You’ve always had the power”. Joy Gong, B.A., B.Ed. Place of Residence: White Rock, B.C. Education: Certificate in ASL & Deaf Studies, VCC Current Occupation: VCC Student Level of Hearing Loss: severely profound, bilateral Assistive Technology used: hearing aid (R), cochlear implant (L) ASL Proficiency: Intermediate Activities & Hobbies: enjoying delicious food, arts & craft Growing up, I was often the only Deaf individual isolated from all the others, it was only the few and rare events that I got to meet other people like myself. It was through these events that I ever felt like I wasn’t truly alone in my experience. I am also thankful of the endless support I received from my family members, friends, and professionals working with me. With their help, I was able to persist and rise above the challenges all through these years. The people around me have inspired me to give back and help the future generation of youth achieve their own goals and dreams. From this event, I hope the youth will take away with them a bonding experience knowing that they have a strong network of support from peers behind them. Our facilitators will share their stories of challenges and successes they have had, in which the youth will learn from these experiences knowing that they, too, can succeed through perseverance. "Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." -- Mario Andretti
Event Schedule
Time Activity
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Doors open; Check-in Food and refreshments available
11:00 AM – 11:05 AM Welcome & Introductions
11:05 AM – 11:20 AM Icebreaker Activity – Getting to Know Each Other
11:20 AM – 11:40 AM Round-Robin Mingling Level 1 Purpose: To Introduce yourself to your table group
11:40 AM – 12:55 PM Round-Robin Mingling Level 2 Purpose: To discuss pros and cons of hearing loss
11:55 AM – 12:15 PM Round-Robin Mingling Level 3 Purpose: To discuss the impact of hearing loss on your academic and social lives, at home or at school
12:15 PM – 12:40 PM Round-Robin Mingling Level 4 Purpose: To brainstorm strategies to address the issues brought up at Level 3
12:40 PM – 12:55 PM Mini-presentations from Peer Support Program & CHHA-BC
12:55 PM – 1:00 PM Wrap-up & Door Prizes
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Free-for-all Mingling Food & refreshments available
*Please note that schedule is subjected to change – this is intended to provide an overview of the event structure. **We value all feedback and suggestions; if there is a specific topic you would like to discuss at the event, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Facilitator Biographies Nicola Carter Place of Residence: Burnaby, B.C. Education: Early Childhood Education, Douglas College Current Occupation: Assistant Coordinator, Douglas Campus Life Level of Hearing Loss: Not given Assistive Technology used: Bilateral Cochlear Implant ASL Proficiency: Fairly Fluent Activities & Hobbies: Workout Motto or quote to live by: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” – MIlton Berle Shanna Cheng Place of Residence: Vancouver, B.C. Education: Currently pursuing visual arts Current Occupation: Student Level of Hearing Loss: Severe to profound, bilateral Assistive Technology used: Hearing aid & cochlear implant ASL Proficiency: None Activities & Hobbies: Reading, watching TV shows, going outdoors, shopping, hanging with friends Motto or quote to live by: “Treat others the way you want to be treated”
Tasha Cox
Place of Residence: Burnaby, B.C. Education: Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation, Douglas College Current Occupation: Activity Worker, running recreational programs for seniors at two senior facilities
Level of Hearing Loss: Conductive, moderate to severe, bilateral Assistive Technology used: hearing aids & FM system (from
kindergarten to college) ASL Proficiency: Basic
Activities & Hobbies: Soccer & tennis Motto or quote to live by: “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone”
– Ronald Reagan
Felicia D’Amato Place of Residence: Vancouver, B.C. Education: B.A. in Social Work (Gallaudet University) Current Occupation: Child Care Counselor, PDHHS Level of Hearing Loss: Severe to profound, bilateral Assistive Technology used: one hearing aid, left ear ASL Proficiency: Fluent Activities & Hobbies: I enjoy biking and scrapbooking Motto or quote to live by: “Aerodynamically, the bumblebee isn’t supposed to be able to fly with its tiny wings and large body. But the bumblebee doesn’t know that. So it goes on, flying anyways.”
– Mary Kay Natalie Leoganda
Place of Residence: Richmond, B.C. Education: B.A. in Intercultural Religious Studies (Trinity Western University); B.Ed. (SFU)
Current Occupation: Teacher-On-Call at Independent Schools Level of Hearing Loss: Profound Assistive Technology Used: Cochlear Implant, bilateral user ASL Proficiency: Basic Activities & Hobbies: I enjoy dragon boating, running, cycling,
reading, watching TV/movies, and hanging out with friends. Motto or quote to live by: “Don’t let your limitations stop you
from living your life to the fullest. With God, everything is possible.”
Nicole Leung Place of Residence: Vancouver, B.C. Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Langara Current Occupation: Part-time care aide for people with developmental disabilities Level of Hearing Loss: Mild to profound Assistive Technology used: bilateral hearing aids ASL Proficiency: Basic Activities & Hobbies: Outdoor activities (dragon boating, biking, snowboarding, running, hiking, paddle boarding); I love fitness and all forms of art, such as literature, fine arts, and film Motto or quote to live by: “Keep Trying”, “Do your best because that is all you can do”
– My mother and grandmother
Sophie Paller
Place of Residence: Abbotsford, B.C. Education: Social Services Diploma, now working Child & Youth degree at University of Fraser Valley Current Occupation: Behavioral Interventionist at Fraser Valley Child Development Centre
Level of Hearing Loss: Severe-profound, bilateral Assistive Technology used: hearing aids ASL Proficiency: None
Activities & Hobbies: Hang out with friends, listening to music Motto or quote to live by: “Nothing is impossible, until it is impossible”
Genevieve Savard Place of Residence: Vancouver, B.C. Education: B.Sc. Physics in Montreal; M.Sc. Seismology, UBC Current Occupation: Doing research as a grad student Level of Hearing Loss: Severe to profound, bilateral Assistive Technology used: hearing aids ASL Proficiency: Basic Activities & Hobbies: Hike, run, cook, explore the city Motto or quote to live by: “Winners are not people who never fail, but people who never quit.”
– Unknown
Andrew Hung Yao Tjia
Place of Residence: San Francisco, CA Education: MSc. Computer Science (UBC) Current Occupation: Software Engineer at Google Inc.
Level of Hearing Loss: Severe, bilateral Assistive Technology used: one hearing aid on right ear ASL Proficiency: None
Activities & Hobbies: Coding small projects, badminton/table tennis, and trying new food with friends Motto or quote to live by: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent.”
– Calvin Coolidge
Conversation Starters
When you are unsure how to start a conversation with someone you just met for the first time, we have provided a list of questions which you can choose from to set the conversation off. The most important thing to remember is that the person you are talking to also wants to get to know you as much as you do. Don’t be shy!
GENERAL 1. What do you like to do in your spare time?
2. What was your favorite holiday/vacation?
3. What did you want to grow up to be when you were younger/now?
4. What was (is) your favorite subject at school?
5. What is your favorite movie of all time?
6. What type of music do you like to listen to?
7. What was the last book you read?
8. Who do you look up to?
9. What is the best piece of advice you've received?
10. What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
11. If you could have any super power, what would it be?
12. If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only 1 item, what would it be?
13. What would you do if you only had 24 hours left to live?
HEARING LOSS RELATED 1. What caused your hearing loss, or when were you diagnosed?
2. What is your favorite sound to hear? Or sound that you want to hear?
3. Do you use an FM system in school? Or at home? Or outside when hanging out with friends?
4. Where do you find to be the most difficult environment to hear/communicate?
5. Have anyone made remarks about your hearing loss? How did you react?
6. Did you have any incident where you had to advocate your needs?
7. What is your most embarrassing moment involving your hearing loss?
8. How do you communicate with people who do not use sign language?
