~ Speech of Dan Arabie during the 2008 HKDBA ~

HKDBA Honored

By Dan Arabie

CEO/Editor, DEAF BAYOU e-News

Friday, July 4, 2008

Atlanta, Georgia (DBE) – On Saturday, June 28^th, there was unfortunately a packed house at the Crussell-Freeman Deaf Church for the 14^th Annual Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness (HKDBA) led by Mark Gasaway, MA, chair and his casting committee who formally invited DEAF BAYOU Editor Dan to give his special presentation.  Few minutes after 10:00 AM, it began so crowded, the largest crowd in its history (attendants coming from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee).  “That was the best one ever”, Mark exclaimed.

          The event went in high spirit along with balloons floating up in the air.  The invocation was led by Reverend Felix Love who has deaf parents.

          With warm heartfelt thoughtfulness, the lunch was served and brought to each sitting individual by fellowship young ladies.  There were plenty of expressions in excitement, joy of tears, and goose-bump feeling including awards, speakers, prizes, more.  The following awards were given to:

·        SSP of the Year (working countless of volunteer hours)

·        Dedicated Award

·        Distinguish Citizen

Surprisingly, the new information about deaf-blind service was mentioned to the crowd by the HKNC East Regional representative, Barbara Chandler that the $250,000 was recently passed this legislative session so they have to wait until 2009.  The grant is generally for all Deaf-Blind services and not specifically for SSP service alone.

     Followed by Vicky Magliocchino of Florida, keynote speaker giving her presentation about “Life of Helen Keller”, Editor Dan gave his presentation experiencing his leadership role such as activist and advocate including recent SSP program; telling a story about Hurricane Katrina DB survivors and, of course, campaigning for 2009 AADB President as well.

     Editor Dan is under consideration of developing a committee planning for the 2009 HKDBA here in Lafayette, Louisiana and will attempt to lure Helen Keller’s great grand niece being a keynote speaker, but wait and see…stay tuned!

Thought you would like to visit two following sets of photos while Editor Dan was at Atlanta, Georgia for days touring Coke and MLK Museums, click on:  HKDBA 2008

               Atlanta 2008

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