HIGHLIGHTS PRESIDENTS PEN DIRECTORS DIALOGUE MEET THE STAFF SPOTLIGHT ON THEEXCEPTIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS

Spring is in the air As 2018 picks up speed and the holidays are in the rearview mirror, weare reminded of rebirth and new growth. As the flowers bloom and greengrass returns to our yards we can take a moment to ask ourselves whatchanges and challenges will we endeavour to take on this new year. Howwill we grow personally this year and what new challenges will we takeon to sculpt ourselves into stronger individuals and a stronger community.

SDHHS Crockpot LunchTuesday May 15thFriday Sept 14thMonday Oct 15thThursday Nov 15th 12pm-1:00pm$5.00/Person#2-511 1st Ave. N. Saskatoon If you would like to volunteer to donate a crockpot of food,a dessert, or help, please let us know!Special thanks to Sharon M, Darryl H. And Jerome K. for all your specialefforts.saskatoon@sdhhs.com306.665.6575

SPRING 2018

�DH�S

��A�D President :

Gord Hein Past President:

Michelle Grodecki Vice President:

Allard Thomas Treasurer:

Elmer Olson Secretary:

Caroline Caul Directors: Paulette SmithArt HillcoxJason HaleAshley CorriveauGale Estell saskatoon@sdhhs.com 306.665.6575

P�e�i��nt�

P�� I would like to begin bythanking the members ofS.D.H.H.S. for theopportunity to serve asPresident of the Board of

Directors. Working with the other Directors and theStaff is a wonderful opportunity to be involved withsomething that is very important to me. As we enterSpring, I am hoping for the retreat of the snow, butremember this is Saskatchewan and we might begetting more of that four letter word, “snow”.

“Communication” , as defined by Merriam-Websteris: “the act or process of using words, sounds, signsor behaviors to express or exchange information orto express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc, tosomeone else.” Another dictionary describescommunication as “the means of connectionbetween people.” I have lived in various placesacross Canada and the U.S.A. and had theopportunity to work with Deaf, hard of hearing andlate deafened individuals. The mission ofSaskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services isto support the independence of Deaf, Deafened andHard of Hearing Persons by providing services whichenhance their quality of life. As we move forward in2018, it is my goal to promote this mission for thecitizens of Saskatchewan. As president, I wouldencourage feedback from people as how to improveand expand services for all people with hearinglosses from cradle to the grave. Once again, thanksto the Board of Directors for volunteering their timeand thanks to the Staff of S.D.H.H.S. for theexcellent work that they do to “Bridge the Gap.” Gord Hein

From the Desk of theExecutive Director 2018 started with a whole new bang, a whole new attitude.

A new year is always an exciting time, a time to begin

projects and start new resolutions. We began our 2018

calendar year focused on numerous projects and events all

focused towards equality and access for everyone. SDHHS began a new project management

system that identifies smart goals, and sets timelines for specific activities to be

accomplished. It enhances teamwork, increases accountability, and productivity. Holding our

mission statement and core values at the centre, we are able to branch out in a balanced

approach towards meeting the needs in the deaf community. With the recent Disability

Strategy, Person Centred Planning, Children First, and Jordan’s Principle as our guidelines we

have been able to target specific projects to reach our long-term strategic plan. Illuminating

barriers in the healthcare system that hinder children from early access to sign language,

with the announcement of a universal newborn screening program, the challenge is now how to

impact all of these children with the best possible access to ASL support. Collaborating with

Dr. Juliet Soper we have started to provide access for children with a Down Syndrome

diagnoses to early sign language materials. Her presentation at the Prevention conference at

our SDHHS booth was nothing short of breath taking. She explained that two out of three

children born with Down Syndrome are born profoundly deaf and acquire their hearing usually

in 3 to 5 years. Early access to sign language materials can have huge linguistic outcomes.

Illuminating barriers in the education system remain to be a major targeted area. Every

parent wants to see their child receive full and equal education and for many deaf children in

the province of Saskatchewan that continues to be unreachable. Funding dollars have

targeted auditory verbal therapy solutions and while those solutions work for some, they do

not work for all. It seems the child with the most profound hearing loss is the one that is

having the least access to resources. The United Nations charter of rights for persons with

disabilities (UNCRPD) guarantees D/deaf children access to sign language. The policies and

standard practice in the province are unconstitutional and create further disability for

children struggling to find access. Interested parties from across Canada and the world are

watching carefully what happens in our province. I believe in Saskatchewan, in our world-

renowned innovation and compassion. I believe that in the home of Medicare our human rights

core values will win and transform D/deaf and Hard of Hearing access.

Nairn Gillies

“S���e� 18” ��W���i��Sh��e��e���(1564-1616)Shall I compare theeto a summer’s day?Thou art more lovelyand more temperate:Rough winds doshake the darlingbuds of May, Andsummer’s lease hathall too short a date:Sometime too hotthe eye of heavenshines, And often ishis gold complexiondimm’d; And everyfair from fairsometime declines,By chance, ornature’s changingcourse, untrimm’d;But thy eternalsummer shall notfade Nor losepossession of thatfair thou ow’st; Norshall Death bragthou wander’st inhis shade, When ineternal lines to timethou grow’st; Solong as men canbreathe or eyes cansee, So long livesthis, and this giveslife to thee.

saskatoon@sdhhs.com

306.665.6575

Fr�� ���In�����e��n�D�p����n�!Hello to everyone fromthe InterpretingDepartment! We havebeen so fortunate to have

such a committed team of interpreters both inSaskatoon and Regina. Our Regina team consists ofKaren Nurkowski, Staff Interpreter and Freelanceinterpreters, Erika Ball, Maureen Stuart and JimMarkin. In Saskatoon, our Staff Interpreters areAnne Websdale, Tyler Burgess, Sue Schmid andDean Wiebe. The Freelancers are Carla Klassen,Krissy Haines, Margaret Punter and RosalieWishlow. Annette Jaspar freelances for us in PrinceAlbert. In our endeavor to always try to improve thequality of service we provide, I would like toencourage open communication. In the fall of 2017,I took on the role of Senior Interpreter. Part of myrole is to be the key contact person for feedback. Ifthere is something that went well, feel free to let meknow so that I can pass it on to our team. If there issomething that needs to be improved, please let meknow that too. We can only get better by knowingwhat we need to work on. People can share theirconcerns directly with me via emailsueschmid@shaw.ca, Facetime, Skype or bycontacting me to arrange a meeting face to face. Ourgoal is to continue to provide excellent service to theSaskatchewan Community. Hands Waving,

Sue Schmid, COI Senior Interpreter, SDHHS

Annual General

Meeting Regina

2018

Save the date AGM June 16th

More info to come

Check out sdhhs.com

SDHHS Seniors Coffee House

Welcome Deaf and Hard of Hearing Seniors. Come

for a visit and a cup of coffee every other Thursday at:

10:00am

March 8th and 22nd

April 5th and 19th

May 3rd, 17th, and 31st

June 14th and 28th

4th Annual High

Steaks 2018!

Save the date

Friday Sept 28

New Venue!

Keep Watching www.sdhhs.com

SDHHS is more than

just interpreting

check out our

extensive inventory

of personal

amplifiers

Meet Twyla

I am currently working for Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in

Regina, Saskatchewan as an Early Childhood and Family Services, Vocational

Worker and Community Service positions since April 2016. I have been

teaching ASL classes, part-time, since 1995 and enjoy doing it. In my spare

time, I like to paint on a blank canvas using acrylic paints.

Meet Anne

Hi, I am Anne. I graduated from the Grant MaEwan Interpreter Training

Program in 1996, I have been working as an Interpreter across Western Canada

ever since. I am now a staff Interpreter here at SDHHS.

Meet Tyler

Tyler Burgess; born at a very young age I later graduated with a Certificate in

Deaf Studies, Diploma in ASL-English Interpretation, Linguistics Undergrad,

working on Masters of Science in Deaf Education, Father of three, avid shoe

wearer,I am in recovery from a hokey pokey addiction but I think I have turned

myself around

H��� y�� �e� ��� st��?

Meet Karen

Hello, my name is Karen. I am and English/ASL Interpreter in Regina. When I am

not out interpreting I am in the office doing front end administration. I’ve been

interpreting for 30 years, and I look forward to many more.

Meet Patti (Contractor Extraordinaire)

Thanks for all the Great work you do Patti

Meet John

ASL Coordinator, Early Childhood and Family Services for Deaf Indigenous

Children, and Vocational Worker. What I strongly believe is empowering Deaf

Children with the authority and ability to make responsible decisions.

Meet Kami

In May I will have been working with SDHHS for 20 years. It has been a great experience,I have been lucky to be able to work with a variety of amazing people. I love the work I doand have seen many changes over the years and hope to see some huge changes in the nearfuture. I am very happily married to Greg and we have a wonderful daughter, Madison whois hitting the teenage years☺.

Meet SueOver the years I have worked with SDHHS for approximately 17 years. I began as aFreelance Interpreter in 1981, front line staff in 1982,Staff Interpreter in 1983 then movedout of province in 1993. When our family moved back in 2006, I did a bit of Freelancework until 2014 when I joined the Saskatoon team part time. It is fantastic to be backworking at SDHHS with the support of all the amazing staff in both Regina andSaskatoon!Thanks to our Saskatchewan Deaf Community for welcoming me back into thegroove.

Meet Robyn (Contractor Extraordinaire)Hi my name is Robyn Holmes, and I have just started working at SDHHS since the end ofJanuary. I moved to the Saskatoon area from Surrey, BC about 8 months ago (before that Ilived close to Toronto, ON and in Johannesburg, South Africa). It sure has been someinteresting experience living through this freezing weather. But, I love the fact that it’smostly sunny here! I look forward to continue to guide, teach and learn from each of you allin this community.

Meet JodyMy name is Jody Thompson and I have been working at SDHHS for over 9 years now I have 2daughters and live in a small town just outside Saskatoon. My hobbies include a lot of craftinesssuch as jewelry making, scrapbooking, and sewing. Being employed at SDHHS has given me awonderful opportunity to learn a new language and meet a variety of amazing individualsthroughout these years!

Meet Travis

Thanks for all the great work you do Travis

Meet Dean

Hi my name is Dean. I am a Sign Language Interpreter. I have specialized in Medical Interpretingthe last ten years. I moved to Saskatoon from BC with my wife and daughter. The community hereis very kind. Looking forward to meeting more.

Spotlight on the Exceptional

"I received my box

I'd written my first draft in 2008

I'd waited eight years

I started crying"

Adam is a Deaf Professional in Saskatoon

His hard work and "never quit" attitude

is an inspiration to us all.

Hey Adam,

Thanks for being exceptional!

Meet Adam Pottle

Where ya from?I was born in Kamloops, BC, and lived in Ashcroft, Kitimat, and Prince George before I came to

Saskatoon in 2009. I've lived in Saskatoon ever since.

Why you so cool?I've published three books -- two works of fiction and a poetry collection -- and had a play produced. I

don't know if that makes me cool, though...

(Totally cool!)

What do you do?I write, and I teach at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina.

What drives you?There are very few novels, plays, TV shows, and films that feature Deaf and disabled characters. I'm

trying to correct that through my own work.

Your proudest moment?In November 2016, I received my box of author's copies of my book The Bus. I'd written the first draft of

this book in 2008. It was a difficult book to write -- it's set in Nazi Germany and based on true events --

and getting it published was even harder. When I opened the box and saw the copies, I started crying. It

wasn't my first book, but I'd waited eight years to share it with the world. It wasn't just pride; it was relief.

What are you working on now?A variety of different projects, including a non-fiction book about how my deafness has impacted my

writing.

Thank you to ourpartners :)

Thank you to oursponsers :)