Happy 2019! I am officially in my last semester of college and trying to figure out the next steps. I don’t know what to do with my life, but it will all work out at some point. For now, I’m just trying to focus on my classes. I want to take this coming summer off, so it is a bit too early to apply for jobs. I’m not sure of anything at this point but am open to anything that comes my way.

 Over winter break (ah!), I spent time with my family and friends near and far. I went to New Jersey to relax with my family at home and then we went to Western Massachusetts for a vacation. I went skiing for a few days with my dad and sister and watched a lot of movies with the family.  It was just nice to spend time with them. As I’m writing this, I’ve started thinking back to my freshman year at Rochester Institute of Technology. It was hard but now I’m totally not ready to leave. I’m excited to go someplace new, meet new people, and have different experiences but this has been my place for the last few years. It’s my comfort zone and now I have to leave it!

 I also went to Washington, D.C. over the break for a few days for some meetings with professionals in the political field about potentially running for office at some point in the future. I received helpful information about what it takes to be in politics in this country and it was a bit overwhelming. But, I am very glad I was able to learn more about the process and what I should do beforehand if I am serious about it. I am passionate about politics and the good we can do in the world and in our own country. I am also passionate about spreading the message about cochlear implants. One person I met with mentioned the possibility of working with a medical advocacy organization similar to the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.

 My life experiences have definitely impacted what I want to accomplish in my life. My values would not necessarily be the same if I had been born with typical hearing. I am lucky, and I know that. My parents worked hard to get me the technology I needed. They also worked with me constantly to practice and use my new hearing.

 Not everyone who is born deaf is lucky enough to even get cochlear implants and then have the therapy and rehabilitation that is necessary to enjoy the full benefits from cochlear implants. This is unfair; it is also not something I would have thought about if it were not part of my own life. Access to cochlear implants is not equally available to everyone in the United States. It often depends on where you live as area of the country impacts on the availability of CI care and especially the quality of early intervention and educational services.  The lack of information available about cochlear implants also varies. My family has been very involved in trying to spread the message of cochlear implants around the world. My mother’s film 95 Decibels (which premiered at the ACI Alliance conference in 2013) was my family’s major foray into spreading our message. This was definitely the start of my own personal political activism.

There is sometimes a lack of understanding of how important rehabilitation after surgery is for both children and adults. Therapy and thoughtful practice are needed to help recipients of all ages gain the full benefit from the technology.

 The values that I have taken from this have impacted on other aspects of my life. I feel strongly that equity should exist in healthcare. Sometimes cochlear implantation (and healthcare in general) is not equally available to everyone.  I feel like we should work to improve access—regardless of the type of insurance one has.

 In the context of someone with a hearing loss, being a self-advocate could mean asking “Can captions be placed on this video?” or “Could I move to the front so that I have better access to the speaker?”  I encourage others to advocate for themselves as well. People may not feel comfortable asking for help but I know what it’s like to feel alone and left out, so I try to be conscious of what other people need to be included and help if I can. I have worked hard throughout my life to get where I am today; I will continue to work hard to help me achieve my dreams and goals.