Story Booth, Descriptive Transcript

[Descriptive transcript: video opens with a blue title card with the logo for the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing in center. Text on upper right corner: “40 years anniversary”. Video transitions to a black slide with white text: “The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent or the State of Minnesota.” Video transitions to Diane Leonard standing in front of a black background. Text overlay on bottom left corner with her name on it which disappears after a few seconds.]

>> Diane: Hello everyone. My name is Diane Leonard. I'm going to talk a little bit about the Commission I worked with for 40 years. It's amazing that it's been around that long. And when I look back over the last 40 years, it has done so much for people with hearing loss, whether they're Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind. So many improvements that they have made in individuals’ quality of life. It is quite amazing. I have worked for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. I worked there for 25 years, and I helped a lot of people with varying conditions, and I would look to the Commission for their help in helping change the state laws to make things better for individuals. And so I have now been retired for the last two years, and I still wanted to do something for our Saint Cloud community – central Minnesota, really. I wanted to continue to do something, and the Twin Cities has so many different supports and things. And so I thought I would establish Central Minnesota Deaf Seniors. And so I do social events, and I set up, on the second Tuesday of every month, gatherings, different ways for people to get out and go for walks, or meet up at a coffee shop, play different games… and I mean, the list goes on and on what I do. So I am still continuing to do that and I am looking forward to another 10 – 20 – 30 years to see what the Commission is going to continue to do for us. So congratulations to the Commission. So have a great evening.

[Video transitions to Jamers Spier, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> Jamers: Hi I'm Jamers, and one thing I noticed when I first moved to Minnesota ten years ago, is that I moved here after living in different places in different states, was that the Commission work was incredible and so important. I made appointments for my dogs with the vet, and I would call and let them know that I was deaf, just so that it was easier to communicate, and we could write back and forth. But they even volunteered to get an interpreter for me. And that in and of itself was incredible because of the Commission's work that they've done all over Minnesota. So I really appreciate that. Thank you.

[Video transitions to JaNahne McCready-Johnson, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> JaNahne: My name is JaNahne McCready-Johnson. I am very pleased that the Commission has continued for 40 years. And congratulations to the group of people who have fought and have stayed and fought the good fight and not allowed the legislatures to oppress us. I really want to thank and show my gratitude to those legislatures. So thank you.

[Video transitions to Jer Loudenback, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> Jer: Hello, my name is Jer Loudenback, and I contract for the community engagement underneath Jessalyn, and I started doing that seven years ago when I moved here. And I had absolutely no idea about political work. None. And I thought, oh, you know, I should. Should be my civic duty. I should join and work as a contractor. And I didn't really realize how important it was. And I was an educator. And so, during my retirement, I thought that was a gift for me to go and teach the diverse community about voting. And I have been very proud of it.

[Video transitions to Kathleen Smith, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> Kathleen: Hello. My name is Kathleen Smith. I am involved with CMV, which is cytomegalovirus. It’s a virus that causes deafness in individuals, and I provide advocacy for that, and I partner with the Commission to spread information in regards to that illness and virus. I grew up. I was born deaf. I had CMV. I had different balance issues and I became involved with the National CMV Foundation which is also an advocate  through the state of Minnesota, providing awareness for CMV. I still work and partner with that Commission as well. That is a great group as well to work with.

[Video transitions to Laura Schmit, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> Laura: Hello. My name is Laura Schmit. I grew up going to Courage North Camp. That is a deaf camp. And the camp specifically focuses on developing leadership. The staff plans all of the overnight trips, and the whole camp, like their food schedules, what they should pack. And I had become a staff after growing up there, and I helped develop and plan for the other leaders. And now that has applied to my life in many ways. I can plan small events, different deaf community events,  and really, that camp has been a great thing. That program really helps to encourage deaf individuals and how to look up to role models and become role models as not to be isolated in a hearing world. They're able to be at a deaf camp, which is very important, and very important to continue that camp and to encourage deaf people to look up to these deaf adults so that that continues on for the future.

[Video transitions to Nubia Amina, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> Nubia: Hello, my name is Nubia Amina, and this is my sign name. I have been involved with the Commission through the Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community. I am on their board of interpreters. And from my experience with the Commission,  I have learned that they have been providing the CART services, interpreter services, and they've been involved with the government as well, political things, which has been very shocking to me. And I have also worked with other individuals within the Commission. And Jessalyn is one I've worked with, and Darlene, and Alicia Lane - I have met all of them. They have beautiful hearts. So thank you.

[Video transitions to Terry Wilding, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> Terry: Hello, my name is Terry Wilding. I'm the superintendent of the Minnesota State Academies – our school in Faribault. I am connected to the Commission. I've worked with them for many years, probably almost ten years. The Commission supports our school and our education efforts. It helps us with legislature work, helps us get money and support for different programs that we have provided. And we really thank the Commission for all of their support over the last ten years, actually, more than ten years of 40 years, really, since the Commission has been established and we had our school… so… Also the Commission is wonderful at helping the students develop, with their annual events, meeting and communicating with legislators,  providing advocacy that way. So that's also a great thing that the Commission has done for our students, and that will help them in their future lives to know how to speak to legislators, how to advocate for their own issues. 

[Video transitions to Jacques Freeman, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> Jacques: My name is Jacques. My sign name is Jacques or the J. I'm first involved with MDMC. My sign name is just a short Jay. I first got involved with Valerie at Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community. I like to say I know Jessalyn through that organization, and that the person that really inspires me is my sister Nubia. She is the board interpreter there at MDMC. And where, where I like to see MDMC and the Commission here in 40 years is providing advocacy and accessibility for everyone that needs it.

[Video transitions to Sherri Rademacher, with a text overlay showing the name for a few seconds.]

>> Sherri: Hello. My name is Sherri Rademacher. That's my sign name. Sherri Rademacher. I'm a strong advocate for the Saint Cloud Deaf community and surrounding area. I have always been very proud of Minnesota and of the Commission, because it really takes a broad look over all 50 states, but very few have the Commission, and we are very fortunate to live in this great home state.

[Video transitions to a black slide with white text: “With deep appreciation to all presenters, community members, and everyone who has been part of the Commission for the past forty years. Looking forward to many more years of advocacy, hard work, collaboration, and making a difference to the quality of life of Minnesota’s deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing community.”]

[Video ends.]