Blog & Vlog

Chain Reaction

By Sallie Hussey on September 29, 2010

I know it’s happened to you before.  Someone does something nice for you, for no reason at all and you respond by doing something nice for someone else.  Someone offers you the last parking spot, and you let the frazzled mother of three with a full cart go first in the grocery line even though you’re in such a rush.  A chain reaction starts and something wonderful happens.

I witnessed a very similar chain reaction here recently, and it happens quite often in our business.  A wonderful donor and friend made a simple request to others to support us.  His kindness to so many folks over the years was paid back to us over the last few weeks in donations!  It is amazing to witness the power of one person.  We are so fortunate, and grateful.  And it sure is fun to watch. 

Reflections on Interning

By Guest Blogger on September 22, 2010

This week’s guest blogger is former intern Paige Novack.  Paige interned with Bridges from May through August this year. 

As an interpreter, whether student, new, or seasoned, it is our obligation to engage in professional development.  For me, a new interpreter to the field after graduating from Maryville College, finding areas for skill improvement as well as to “get my feet wet” proved challenging in my new state of residency, Alabama.  So as any ethical abiding interpreter would do, I sought out opportunities to improve my interpreting skills.  Upon adjusting to married life, a new town, and making new friends, I decided to apply to Bridges as an intern.

My summer spent here at Bridges has been terrific.  I was able to “get my feet wet” as well as learn invaluable lessons on what it means to be an interpreter.  The opportunities I was given were wide ranging covering all aspects and arena of interpreting.  Although I endured long days and sleep deprivations, I will remember this internship favorably.  Thank you to all the interpreters, staff, and clients of Bridges for giving me this opportunity to pick your brains and improve my interpreting skills.

~Paige  

The Beauty of Learning

By Guest Blogger on September 15, 2010

Hello everyone.  My name is Joseph Ochoa, a Director of Education & Outreach here at Bridges.  It is an exciting time in my department as American Sign Language (ASL) classes kicked off last week.  We are teaching classes on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

It is very exciting to see the age range of our students this session.  We have everyone from home schoolers to those interested to learn because of their own hearing loss.  Our ASL classes are a great way to reach out to those in the hearing and hard of hearing communities.  The reasons of interest in our classes vary.  Some simply want to learn an alternative way to communicate with those who are Deaf, while others are fascinated by the language itself.  And others still, are taking our classes out of necessity as they themselves are experiencing hearing loss and are searching for a way to continue to communicate with loved ones.

Teaching our ASL classes opens my eyes to the realization of how important communication is to our society.  The beauty of watching the light blubs go off when a concept sinks in is generally followed by a smile of accomplishment.  Teaching class is one of the highlights of my position here at Bridges.  What’s the best thing about our classes here at Bridges?  No tests, or grades.

Feel free to contact me if you or someone you know is interested in learning ASL.  On-site courses are also available for large groups.  I look forward to meeting you as we bridge the communication gaps between our cultures.

~Joseph

The Smell of Fall

By Sallie Hussey on September 8, 2010

Growing up in north Mississippi, we really had two seasons – summer and more summer.  That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I remember it rarely got cold enough to wear a big winter coat.  I do remember being really excited for fall and football and school clothes.  I also remember my Dad trying to determine the arrival of fall every year by the smell.  He’d stand outside early in the morning and say, “Sal, don’t you smell that? It’s coming soon.” In junior high I had absolutely no idea what he meant.  Now, I understand.

Fall does have a unique smell to it.  To me it’s a mixture of grass, fire wood, school bus fumes, leather, the state fair, football game concession-stand food, and Aquanet hairspray.  But it’s also the smell of change.  Growing up, fall brought with it the change from days at the lake and late curfews to early mornings and homework.

Here, fall signals the change of the new fiscal year, the start of the After School program, and planning for next year’s WellFEST, just for starters.  We have new board members and new volunteers, and we are trying some bold new things in the Youth Center.  I haven’t actually smelled fall yet, but I can smell change around the office.  Come join the fun and see what’s happening.