Here are formal ‘speak-out remarks’ presentations from several deaf-blind key leaders at the historic Louisiana Deaf-Blind Rally as follows:

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Dan Arabie:

Honorable LCD board members, friends, and supporters,

            On behalf of deaf-blind people in Louisiana, I, Dan Arabie, Leader of the Deaf-Blind on the Move, am here to speak out for 400 – 1,000 long-suffering deaf-blind citizens, in which Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD) has NOT done for us for twenty-seven (27) years (nearly three (3) decades), NOT 27 minutes ago, 27 hours ago, 27 months ago…that’s 27 years LONG!

            As you may recall, LCD was established in 1980 under the act of 1980 rehabilitation service.  At the very beginning in early 1980’s, a deaf-blind lady came to speak out for deaf-blind citizens BEFORE TTYs, pagers, hearing aids, & more were given out to deaf & hard of hearing; however, LCD has not acted lately.  Since then several deaf-blind citizens repeatedly attend LCD board meetings to bring up deaf-blind issues…LCD STILL has NOT done for us for 27 years…Too much by-passes on the deaf-blind!

            Several of potential deaf-blind issues were brought up into the LCD board meetings as follows:

     * Cops found deaf-blind person sleeping on the grass near LSU due to NO SSP and brought him home safely.

     * An elderly lady managed to attend to hospital and few minutes later she died at the hospital by taking wrong medicine due to NO SSP.

     * To find a place such as doctor’s office without an SSP while the interpreter is waiting, even without interpreter there; deaf-blind suffers had to go back home for a long period of time, even outpatients went home by themselves.

      * Increase emotional stresses due to hunger & illness while staying home without food & medicines.

      * High divorce rate due to NO SSP service

      * Lessen natural love of family due to too much burden because of NO SSP.

      * A young deaf-blind lady managed to walk on the sidewalk to a grocery store, lost her balance and fell on the road and got killed by a vehicle.

     * More…

Listed above mentions difficulties on the lives of deaf-blind people, LCD STILL has NOT done for us for 27 years long.  LCD MUST change NOW! LCD must have 50% plus one majority of deaf-blind & deaf serving board members. That idea will give a great balance of our needs to better lives. I have been asking LCD to become a board member for nearly half decade in order to solve deaf-blind community issues to better lives, but LCD STILL has NOT done for us, too. When?

      As taxpayers, it is mandatory to pay taxes to improve roads while we don’t have SSP to use on road.  Despite continuing to pay taxes, we have received NOTHING accessible that we have been waiting for.

     Deaf-Blind means a prisoner of silence & darkness…PLEASE help us to be FREED at last!  PLEASE

don’t make us suffer any longer than the 28 years we’ve already suffered.  We MUST stop this now! The barrier must be broken.  No Deaf-Blind Left Behind!

      When I was 20 years old, LCD was founded in 1980.  I’m sure you’ve heard the famous phrase, ‘Life is short’. After 27 years, I think my life is now SHORTER.  When I will be 70 – 80 as we now have elderly deaf-blind people here; my life will be even SHORTER.

      Before I close, I must inform all of you that one deaf person living near New Orleans voluntarily became deaf-blind by pulling out both eyes in his own protest. Later his eyes were attached, but he was already blind.  Why?  LCD has NOT done for us for 27 years to make a change to better lives for our deaf-blind community.

      Thank you for my opportunity to speak out…Unity for Louisiana Deaf-Blind Citizens with you, for you and for building a stronger Deaf-Blind community.

Cordially,

Dan Arabie

Leader, Deaf-Blind on the Move

Friday, June 1, 2007

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Judy Populis:

I am Judy Populis and deaf-blind. Deaf-Blind alone independent can’t and is not safe. Deaf-Blind needs SSP most of the activities. Thanks

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Jackie Broussard:

Honorable LCD Board Members, Deaf-Blind friends, and friend of supporters,

Hello everyone, my name is Jackie Broussard and I am Deaf-Blind camp director for almost ten years.  SSP had played a very important role at the Deaf-Blind camp.  We depend on SSP to help our Deaf-Blind campers to get out of their homes and participate for the long weekend of fun and socializing with other Deaf-Blind campers.  It is very sad that not many people from Louisiana that would like to be SSP for our Deaf-Blind camp while many people from other states were very happy to come to Louisiana to be SSP at the camp.

LCD board members please consider our needs and help set up SSP service for the Deaf-Blind people in Louisiana and also please help to get more braille equipment for the Deaf-Blind people.

Thank you.

Please get Deaf-Blind people out of darkness and silence!

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Angela Lentini:

"Move on Rally!"

The family experience from service Agency provides.  My dearest mother is deaf-blind and very energy lady. Name of agency is Deaf Action Center (DAC). She used to ride in the SSPs’ cars. One day the policy changes DAC does not allow deaf-blind people riding in the SSPs’ cars; therefore deaf-blind must ride in a bus by her/himself.  When my mother had an appointment, the bus driver dropped mother off by the Eye clinic building. She stood out there for nearly an hour. An interpreter did not show up until 15 minutes later; finally showed up and brought her to office safely. She had brief check-up; she had to pay in full visit while missing an appointment. It was very unfair and not showed up as good citizen. Who should we stand up and against for neglect while deaf-blind stand outside for hours.  I'm the next and I don't want to end up as my mother’s bad experience. We please have SSP for our secure and protect our emotions turning into darkness. Deaf-Blind need a happy life.  Thanks for your listening.

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Maria Garden:

Hi I am Maria Garden, and I lead the Deaf-Blind Support Group (DBSG) in Lafayette for some years. DBSG has been there for 18 years and is still going strong each month! For some years, we had mentioned and expressed our concerns on SSPs for us in LA which we did not have its service formally for a long time. We felt that we need to have SSPs now, not continuing to wait longer! Yes, we have few SSPs but they usually are not formally trained just like most interpreters. We really need them NOW! Thanks!

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Jerrye Ray:

I, Jerrye Ray, deaf-blind citizen became a widow for more than one year. Fortunately, my daughter and son-in-law moved in to live with me; we had not adjusted to learn about our needs while I have the limitations. I rode by cabs to the doctors’ clinics for my health reasons. I had to ask neighbors for help as emergency and surely asked friends for help, too.

Several months later, children were given to be excused by their bosses, so they were able to be with me to the clinics, and then everything was fine.

A hearing and normal vision boy had Usher Syndrome-Type 2; later drastically and inexpertly became blind and deaf at age of 16. Now he is 29 years old. He has lots of frustration since he could not care of himself at apartment alone and dropped out of college and burden on his family too much, even he could hardly communicate for any assistance. He is Governor Blanco’s nephew. Governor Blanco understood very well that her nephew needs a full-time SSP so badly; however, she does not have her authority for getting one for him. So she understands what all of us, deaf-blind people really need.