Deaf and blind bicyclists help each other enjoy ride

When John Lee Clark is not busy publishing poetry, studying as a full-time student at the University of Minnesota or raising three sons, he spins on long-distance treks.

A man with a wicked sense of humor, Clark, 28, of St. Paul, Minn., has loved cycling since he was a kid and especially likes socializing with other cyclists. Being deaf and blind doesn't make a difference.

"I want to show people that there is nothing special about being deaf-blind. We are ordinary people, too," he said.

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Vibrating Watch for Deaf/Blind

A little pocket watch for deaf blind users that indicates time by vibrating. There is no visual readout. All setting functions can be performed using the vibrotactile cues.

1.vibrates in patterns to represent AM/PM, hours and minutes
2.measures 2.75 x 1.85 inches
3.made by the National Royal Institute for the Blind in England
4.includes 1 CR1220 3 volt battery for the clock and 1 AAA battery for the vibrating motor


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Deaf Tidbits As Always

What’s New With DeafNation? This is cool. DeafNation is now open for anyone to register and post their own videos on its servers, just like youtube.com. The benefits of you having an account with DeafNation is attractive, to say the least. Check this out! Not only that, the registration is free.

Deaf Judge In Texas: Before people could say, “See? RT was wrong! There is Deaf judge out there!” Actually, I was right. He was hearing before he got in an accident which rendered him as deaf. Prior to his accident, he already built and secured his reputation. The article said that he is learning ASL and he is using the CART system. Good for him.

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Dublin Noticeboard

HEARING: Drop into the National Association for Deaf People Tallaght Resource Centre (Exchange Hall) and have your questions answered about hearing loss, deafness, tinnitus and other hearing related issues. Get information regarding entitlements, aids and appliances, family support service, support groups and upcoming activities. Sign language and hearing help classes start this month. Further information from Pauline Scott at Unit G/H, Exchange Hall, Belgard Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Phone 4620377 or email tallaght@nadp.ie

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For Your Information

Party time: The Windy City Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf ( WCRAD ) will celebrate the opening of its Center on Halsted office with a party at Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, on Sat., Aug. 18, 8-11 p.m. General admission is $15, and cover for WCRAD members and Center staff is $12. E-mail chris@livingtolaugh.org .

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Stylish hearing aids make going deaf cool again

With portable music players with headphones being all the rage these days, it's no wonder people are losing their hearing at younger and younger ages. I blame rock music! It's the tool of the devil, I tells ya. But if you don't want to listen to reason, you can at least continue to hear my ranting and raving even after you've lost most of your natural hearing.

These slick hearing aids are almost invisible they're so small, so you won't look like an out-of-touch old timer when you wear them. Made by the Phonak Group in Switzerland, they're equal parts style and science, providing you with top-notch hearing help while looking cool. Of course, for $1,500 to $3,500 a pair, I'd expect that kind of quality. — Adam Frucci

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Local athlete not fazed by handicap

Dale was born on June 29, 1991. In his early toddler years, his hearing was normal. But when he turned two and a half, something changed. During a three-month period, his ability to hear was drastically reduced.

Doctors told the McCords that the official diagnosis was a "fluke of nature," meaning they had no idea what the exact cause for the hearing loss was. Five years later in 1999, Rod and his wife Audrey brought their son to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, who re-examined Dale's CT scan. The real reason for his hearing loss, said the doctor, was a phenomenon called Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (EVA).
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