Tribute to Linda Annala                                 

McCay Vernon, Ph.D

Linda Annala was a strong advocate for the rights of deaf-blind people, and was actively involved with the American Association of the Deaf-Blind for many years as a board member.  Her involvement with the deaf-blind community began when she was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome.  At that time, she was already twenty and had started her career.  

Although a native New Yorker, Linda lived for a number of years in Louisiana where there is an active community of persons who are deaf-blind due to Usher syndrome. There she was a leader in the Louisiana deaf-blind community. 

Linda was a woman of strong religious convictions which were especially important to her when she entered the hospital for an operation she knew might take her life. Linda did not live long after the operation. Her death is a major loss to the deaf-blind community nationally. On a more personal note, I lost a very dear friend for whom I had great respect and admiration.

(Published in AADB Today)