"Does Sign Language Delay Speech?"

Does signing delay speech? Watch this and decide for yourself. Share with parents, educators, IEP's, everyone you know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I36P6vkoPkk

Student Researching Social Injustice Requests Help

My friend Liz is helping out a student with their research on social injustice. Hope over and take a peek, and if you have information that may help this student, leave a comment on Liz's post.

New post on air today at Liz's deaf blog. Please do take a read and if you have something to say for this post to please leave it at my deaf blog and not here on Facebook, as the student will be coming back to my blog to do her research on the subject.

Many thanks.

http://lizsdeafblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/deaf-culture-social-injustice.html

As well as helping a student I shall be learning more myself with what you readers have to say.

Our Job

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King would have been 85 years old today. Read about his life, his words and thoughts regarding segregation:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/life-and-words-martin-luther-king-jr-part-1-2

The "D" Word: Deaf Discrimination Toward Deaf

Because of our experience which I share in Michelle's book, I have embarked on a new project with Nancy Kingsley, the director of Hearing Loss Association of America - Pennsylvania (she is also the chapter leader of Lancaster County Hearing Loss Association of America) and Terri Avis, a captioner from Landisville. The three of us have collaborated together and are working on presentations and demonstrations for CART -  captions for local church services. We are meeting with a church in Dauphin County on the 21st to discuss how they can provide captions for their members.

Fabulous Husband and I received a note in a Christmas card from another Church we visited in Lancaster with a number to call. They would like to know how they can become aware and helpful for the deafened among their patrons. We look forward to arranging a meeting with them, as well.

Below is my article from the book by Michelle Jay "Don't Just Sign - Communicate! A student's guide to the deaf experience". The link to order the book is below this post.

(NOTE: I use the following terms interchangeably so as not to overlook anyone’s preference: deaf, Deaf, hard of hearing, hearing impaired, hearing loss, people with hearing loss, deafened, late deaf, late deafened)

The “D” Word : Deaf Discrimination Toward Deaf

By Joyce Edmiston

I was diagnosed with a hearing impairment when I was a child. It began as a mild loss, then progressed to moderate, and now, as an adult in my mid-50’s, I am deaf, or late deafened. I have been across the hearing loss spectrum. While I’ve dealt with discrimination in my younger years from many in the hearing world, peers, family members, co-workers and friends, I had no idea how prevalent discrimination is within the deaf community toward other deaf or deafened people.

It seems to me that while cultural diversity is welcomed in so many areas of our society today, when it comes to deafness, we are decades behind regarding acceptance, compassion, tolerance and understanding. We are dealing with many outdated and unnecessary thoughts and perceptions.

I first began to notice this when I moved to Pennsylvania from Oregon. I thought I was dealing with hearing people and their discrimination when we began attending a multi-million dollar mega church. There was no mention of “interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired” on their website, announcements or flyers. After attending several months with Fabulous Husband and our son, someone asked if we attended the ASL interpreted services. “What ASL interpreted services?” we inquired. It turned out that they had one service each Sunday morning with interpreters available. We later learned they even had a small group, which was not included in the small group bulletin board list. We were astounded this information was omitted from the website, announcements and flyers.

Fabulous Husband and I showed up the following Sunday morning for ASL services and we went down front and to the right of the stage area where the sign was affixed in the seating area “Reserved for Deaf and Hearing Impaired”. It was lovely to see this inviting sign, not just for deaf and hard of hearing, but for the “hearing impaired” people who have lost their hearing like myself, and those in the process of losing their hearing.

A deaf woman approached us with an interpreter wanting to know why we were sitting there. I signed that I was losing my hearing. She motioned to the auditorium and emphatically signed, “You’re not the only one”. She looked at me rather accusingly and I felt defensive, as if I had to justify my deafness and why I was sitting in the reserved area. I’m sure she could see my hearing aids, it’s one of the first things people notice about me.

Exactly! There are so many others who need to have access, and need to know this was available to them.

A few months later, when we did finally find a mention of ASL interpreters on the website, it was but a small mention with abbreviated language as “terps” hidden deep within the pages. Many of us with hearing loss look for specific key words, “interpreters” “hearing impaired” etc. When I mentioned this, on several occasions through the email on the main website, later on open forum of the churches’ Facebook page, my concerns were always brushed aside. I was told by the Deaf to take my comments and requests to “private”. It felt as if they were ashamed to announce that deaf and hard of hearing people were present, and there was no mention of accessibility to language be it ASL interpreters or captions (CART service).

This wasn’t the first time I ran into this mindset in Pennsylvania. When I first arrived to this state, we were living in Harrisburg. I was given the email address of a woman who was involved with a deaf women’s group that met monthly at a conference room in a major grocery store in the Camp Hill area. I wasn’t able to come to some of the meetings because of my husband’s evening part time job – someone needed to be home with our 4 year old.  It turned out that there was a meeting on an evening when Fabulous Husband would be home. When I emailed that I could attend that one, she said it was a cookie exchange for only “D” Deaf people, and I couldn’t come. It was a Christmas party. I was so lonely, being new to the area, trying to connect with other deaf people and people with hearing loss. I’m sure I was not the only one to have experienced this kind of exclusion from this group. If it happened to me, I know it has happened to others. I was longing to be accepted, included as I was with the community I had left behind so many years ago. All kinds of Deaf, and people with hearing loss, and, even hearing people were welcomed to all activities.

When I was living on the West Coast, I was active with an organization we called Bay Area Resources for the Disabled, run by ALL kinds of disabled people. Mental illness was represented, returning disabled Veterans, the blind and the Deaf and the hearing impaired of our community. Many other disabilities were represented. Each was equally important and advocated. We put out a newsletter that educated and brought awareness to the community where we lived on various issues, each article written by someone representing their own disability or issues and barriers each deals with. It was run voluntarily and sadly dissolved from lack of donated funds and grants. We all worked together and we were inviting and inclusive.

There was also an active “SHHH” (Self Help for Hard of Hearing), which was an odd name for many of us because those of us losing our hearing referred to ourselves as “hearing impaired”. We had Sign Language provided by the local instructor from the College, as well as open captions up on a screen. We were inclusive and worked together. This was in the early 1990’s. There was no discrimination, division or segregation between us. We even had hearing people attend some of our meetings, spouses and friends of deaf or hearing impaired people. We held community events at the local library open to everyone.

I miss this. I especially miss this now that I’m living in an area of the country known not only for “shunning” among the Amish and Mennonites, but also within the deaf community of some churches.

Remember that church that had the sign “Reserved for Deaf and Hearing Impaired”? Shortly after I wrote a blog post about how some isolated communities choose to only acknowledge “Hard of Hearing” and how they choose to discriminate against those who use the term “hearing impaired”, someone at the church removed the signs with “hearing impaired” and put up a sign “Reserved for Deaf and Hard of Hearing”. I also got an anonymous comment left on my blog from a Deaf person that wanted to keep Deaf community small (at church) and that Fabulous Husband and I were too pushy. I was accused of making things worse for the “deafies” and told to mind my own business and pay attention to my own life instead of preying on the deaf,,,, despite the fact that I, myself, am deaf!

I was simply voicing what so many others had voiced before me. There is a need for a real Deaf and Hearing Loss Ministry, a welcoming place for people looking to connect with others who share the common barrier of communication due to deafness or hearing loss. A place that welcomes everyone and provides accessible means to language for everyone with ASL, open captions and looped FM systems.

It was our second year attending this mega church that we found out one branch was actually was putting the ASL interpreters, deaf and hard of hearing at the back of the church. For those of us who are visual, and use hearing aids, we need to be up front and to use the amplification of the speakers to help us hear. Not all deaf learn Sign Language. Not all deaf use hearing aids. Not all deaf need Captions. However, in order to serve ALL deaf, hard of hearing, the hearing impaired or people with hearing loss (whichever terms you choose), all of these accessible solutions need to be provided, and the Deaf and hearing impaired should always be placed down front where they can use their eyes to see to hear and the audio amplifiers to be picked up by their assistive devices. Captions should be on the wall or a screen for those who need to read what is being said.

When I suggested the church use captions, put the words on the screen or on the wall, they told us it can’t be done. For two years, I emailed and requested a Deaf ministry and for it to be inclusive for all deaf, and for people with hearing loss for language accessibility with ASL and with captions.  For two years, I advocated the need to announce online and in the flyers what was available for those of us who needed ASL accessibility. For two years, I was told by several ministry leaders of this multi million dollar church that there was no money in the budget for such a ministry, despite the fact that they are financially healthy, and despite the fact that there is a population of over 4,000 Deaf people (that we know of)  in our county alone…and that doesn’t include people coming into deafness through the aging process or other causes of deafness.

The blatant discrimination of the “hearing” men of this organization was unsettling, but worse, yet, was  the Deaf community not only allowed this, they perpetuated it by being closed and unwelcome to new people. One of the anonymous messages I was sent simply stated the person writing did not want to be in a big Deaf community. This was confusing because aren’t churches about building relationships with others, being open, inviting and caring, especially toward the strangers and travelers among us? How many other people over the years walked through those doors and experienced the exact same thing my husband and I did? This doesn’t have to happen to anyone, and it shouldn’t.

The most difficult issue I had to deal with came when Fabulous Husband was offering his tech support at a new satellite branch for this church and one of the pastors point blank told him that while my (hearing) husband was welcomed to come and serve, they wanted me to remain at the other branch, despite the fact they had an interpreter available at the new branch. They felt my request and advocacy for language accessibility and a ministry for those of us who are deaf or suffering from hearing loss was “aggressive”. I don’t understand why having to ask for accessibility and inclusion for deaf and hard of hearing would be “aggressive” when if one were to ask for a ramp for a wheel chair, they would be right on the project, spending no limit of funds to be accommodating without any repeated requests. They certainly wouldn’t let two years go by with anyone constantly requesting any other accessibility.

Perhaps they just don’t understand the barriers that deaf and hard of hearing people deal with. Perhaps because this is an “invisible disability” we just don’t matter to them. Perhaps the small deaf community within the church itself wanted to remain closed, exclusive, and not be open to new residents coming from other regions that are of a different kind of deafness. Perhaps these are all learned behaviors from a community so closed for decades that these unprogressive perceptions can’t be changed.

Yet, deep within my heart and soul, I hold out that they can change these perceptions and catch up with the more progressive and accessible areas of our nation. I would like to think they would revisit the tenets of their faith and practice those virtues by beginning to accommodate the needs of their neighbors and start to truly be open, inviting, accommodating and accessible.

While I’ve lived in many different places in the U.S. and in Europe, I had never lived in a place where people were so discriminative within their own group. Where does one draw the line of being “deaf enough”?

Since I discovered the world of blogging and began blogging myself, I have noticed a pattern that greatly disturbs me. While most of these discriminative ideals are being handed down generation to generation, the greatest injustice is coming from Ivy League Deaf colleges here on the East Coast. This absolutely astounds me. One place where we expect greatest human evolvement, progressive thinking and education is the place that is not only closing its mind to new world ideals of tolerance, acceptance and understanding, is instead teaching and promoting discrimination. If you want to know more about this, you can visit Mike McConnell’s blog where he has followed many of these examples over the years and documented them. http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/

Where do we begin to break down the barriers to be more accepting?

We begin with ourselves, and the terms people use to describe their deafness or hearing loss status. Recently, I started a conversation on a Facebook forum for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Bloggers administrated by Mike McConnell with the status comment, “Respect the terms people choose for themselves-whether they choose deaf, Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Hearing Impaired.”

Lauren Storck of Ccac Captioning joined in the conversation by adding, “Or ‘deafened’ - for many thousands, this is an identity too; and btw, some also prefer ‘people with hearing loss’ rather than ‘hard’ or ‘impaired’- whatever works as others say!”

Mike McConnell followed up with his excellent reply, “Absolutely. One cannot push their own identity onto others. Yet, many continue to try and redefine what our identity is supposed to be. And continue to be clueless and disrespectful of the diversity of people, ideas and preferences out there.”

Elizabeth Mayton, also known as (e - the itinerant teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing children, also chimed in to the conversation with, “It is too bad that we have to ask others to respect people's choices in how they identify themselves with different terms that they are comfortable with or that makes sense to them. Why is there this need to lump people in certain categories and to tell others how they fit or don't fit in certain groups? Why do people let an issue like this upset them? It is ridiculous.”

By accepting one another’s defining terms, deaf, Deaf, hard of hearing, hearing impaired, people with hearing loss, deafened, late deafened, and whatever other terms that may be used in the future, we can break down the barriers of discrimination and chip away at the chasm that divides us. All of us are dealing with communication barriers one way or another as we journey through a world that caters to the hearing community. Together, we can reach across the communication divide and implement access to language in alternative forms that can benefit us and others.

While some people tell me they are offended when someone uses the phrase “hearing impaired” because they believe it makes them appear to be an impaired person, this is an outdated view. Today, millions of people who could once hear but have lost some degree use this term. It aptly describes their status of hearing loss. They could once hear better, but no longer. Just as a person’s vision becomes impaired, so has their hearing. It is an acceptable term for them.

For others, they choose the term “hard of hearing” over being “hearing impaired”, stating that they aren’t impaired people. However, this implies they would rather be “hard” people than “impaired” people. These thoughts are outdated, as well. Even so, we need to accept the terms people choose to use for themselves regardless.

Last season on “Switched at Birth” this issue was presented on an episode called “Uprising” where the Deaf School was holding a sit-in protest to keep the school open. While there was a pilot program at the school to allow hearing students in, there was a hard of hearing young man who told his story how he floundered in mainstream school, but flourished in the deaf school. Yet, a Deaf student in the group didn’t want this person involved because he wasn’t “D” Deaf, culturally deaf, or deaf enough.

How deaf does one have to be to be accepted?

What about the people stuck between the two worlds who don’t function well in either the hearing or the deaf world?

Do you see the injustice and the walls that discrimination builds? We have enough barriers to plow through on the communication front without adding division within our communities.

We aren’t “better” or “superior” or “less” people because of our status of deafness, or hearing, or group we belong to any more than the color or shape of the shells we call bodies that house our hearts and souls.

As Deaf people and people with hearing loss, we owe it not only to ourselves, but tomorrow’s people to set aside the barriers we create and provide a supportive, compassionate, accepting community within our communities, open to all. Many of today’s “hearing” people will be tomorrow’s deaf and deafened people. We need to set the example for us today of the promise of what tomorrow can be for us and for them, accessible and inclusive with respect and compassion toward one another, regardless of the label we each choose to refer to our status of hearing or deafness. We should not take offence to any of these terms, and we should not force old perceptions and views that no longer serve us onto others.

Let us be the change we wish to see in the world by being less offended with the new terms of deafness, and accepting the terms others choose to use, even if it differs from our preferences. Let us be inclusive, recognizing that some of us need ASL, some need captions, some need assistive devices, and some, like myself, prefer to use all means available.

These are personal choices which we should allow others freedom to choose, and respect their choices. Above all, we need to work together to come up with suitable solutions to help one another, not just ourselves.

As author Shanna Groves reminds us with her #stophearinglossbullying campaign, “Hearing Loss bullying stops with US.”

Do stop by our blogs and have a look at what we share:

Joyce Edmiston: http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com

Mike McConnell: http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/

Shanna Groves: http://lipreadingmom.com/stop-hearing-loss-bullying/

Elizabeth Mayton, aka (e the Itinerant Teacher of deaf and hard of hearing students  http://www.ehwhathuh.com/

Lauren Storck and advocates for communication via captioning: http://ccacaptioning.org/

Need Captions? Just ask CaptionMatch: http://captionmatch.com/

Don't Just Sign - Communicate! A student's guide to the deaf experience by Michelle Jay, author and ASL teacher of Start American Sign Language

Registration for ASL Classes Open NOW

Jennifer Gordon wrote a status in the Dauphin County ASL Meetup forum informing us she was going to be teaching ASL classes in the Mechanicsburg, PA Area. I asked if I could share her information on the blog because I get so many inquiries by people in that area looking for classes.

~~~~~~

My name is Jennifer Gordon. I am an instructor for this class. I have been doing this for the last 3 years now. I have taught ASL level at college level. I have also decided to do more with my home areas since I have been asked by many people about taking up sign language class. In my home area, I am teaching ASL 1 and 2. They both are being taught on Tuesdays night for 7 weeks. My next session of ASL 1 and 2 will be starting up on January 14th. If you are interested, please contact Liz (best to call or e mail her) right away and let her know you are interested in signing up for my class. The more the merrier it will be! I sure look forward to have you in my class in the near future!

Beginner I and II Sign Language Classes

Winter 2014

Mechanicsburg – Tuesday nights starting January 14–February 25

Beginner I   6:00pm-7:30pm   $80

Beginner II  7:30pm-9:00pm  $80

Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Rd, Mechanicsburg

Classes run for 7 weeks and the cost is $80 for each course for the entire 7 weeks plus the cost of the text book.  “Signing How to Speak with Your Hands” by Elaine Costello. The book is your responsibility and can be found in local bookstores or online.  Books can be used.

Classes are taught by a Deaf instructor

To register fill out the attached form and return along with payment to Liz Marvin

Make checks payable to Liz Marvin and mail to 314 Wendover Way, Lancaster Pa 17603

 lizzymarvin@gmail.com    717-203-0425

Name:_______________________________

Email:________________________________

Phone:_______________________________

Type of work you do:__________________________________

Why do you want to learn sign language:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

"A Student's Guide to the Deaf Experience"

Michelle Jay, ASL and Deaf Studies teacher of StartASL asked a number of us who are Deaf and hard of hearing to participate in collaborating our stories into a book to share our personal "deaf experience" with her students. It is a priviledge to have been asked to take part of this project and write a piece for this book.

Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate!

A Student's Guide to the Deaf Experience

An Intimate Journey into the Heart of the Deaf Community

Don’t Just “Sign”. . .Communicate! prepares you to interact with the deaf and hard of hearing – in a knowledgeable and respectful way – by giving you an exclusive glimpse into this rich and diverse community.

This eye-opening book will ignite your senses and eliminate any misconceptions you may have about the deaf community. Delve into this informative and entertaining collection of personal stories culled from the writings of talented Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, and late-deafened people.

Experience the world from their perspectives and learn what questions and comments are best avoided and what common courtesies are most appreciated. By reading this book, you can immerse yourself in the textured world of the deaf community.  

Pulsing with vibrant stories, this carefully compiled anthology swings the door open wide and invites you in. Run with “Broken Ears,” a Chippewa native whose struggle to triumph over discrimination is compounded by deafness. “Touch the sound of snowflakes” with percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Experience the isolation of “Deaf Brown Gurl,” an exotic beauty yearning to fit in. And “follow the music through vibrations” with grand illusionist Sam Sandler. Get to know them and many others. Their stories will reach right off the page, grab you by the heart, and pull you in. . .

This book is meant as a guide to equip ASL students, but it is so much more. . . It is a book for the masses – to be read and reread, to be savored – for it will resonate with you long after the last page is turned. . .

Get your copy from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0984529470/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=startasl_djsc-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0984529470

I'm looking forward to reading what fellow writers and bloggers have shared in this book!

I'm January's Featured Practitioner

First, I want to thank Rickie for promoting me as "January's Featured Practitioner". It is an honor to be part of ReikiSpace and Learning Place with Rickie and the other excellent practitioners.

Here is the latest newsletter with the promotional discount for a session with me and information regarding other events happening at ReikiSpace and Learning Place. There is something for everyone here:

JANUARY Happy New Year! January's Featured Practitioner Mentoring Program Monthly Meditation Evening Angel Card Readings Reiki I Class Connected Awareness ReikiShare HAPPYness Hour Mandala Workshop SHINE Program JourneyDance Reiki Lovers Meetup Positive Energy Breakfast DARE to Dream ! Upcoming Events Gallery Wall at ReikiSpace Gift Certificates LINKS E-Mailing List About Reiki Services   WAHOO ! Happy New Year ! 2014 WILL BE AMAZING ! Lots of Wonderful New and Exciting  Workshops and Events !  THANK YOU SO MUCH ! For all your Love and Support  as we move forwards, sharing even  MORE LOVE and LIGHT  with the World !   Joyce Edmiston  - January's Featured Practitioner -  "I am a compassionate Reiki Practitioner sharing my passion to put Reiki into the "hands" of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community"  "My future vision is to take what I learn practicing at ReikiSpace & Learning Place, under the mentorship of Rickie Freedman, and create an accessible Reiki Center on the West Coast" I share my Vision on the blog: Xpressive Handz Schedule with Joyce during January and save $10 on your 1st Reiki Session ! Act Now ! - Offer Expires 1/31/14   - ReikiSpace -   Practitioner and Mentoring Program Students/Practitioners: Reiki by Rickie Students and Practitioners are invited to share Reiki in the furnished, peaceful and beautiful ReikiSpace Lots of Reiki practice opportunities Contact Rickie HERE for details Mentoring Program: Expressly designed for Reiki Students & Practitioners ready to progress their holistic practice in a heart-centered way Contact Rickie HERE for details Monthly Meditation Evening Facilitated by Elizabeth Crowe-Joong Thursday 1/2, 7:00pm-8:00pm Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place Experience Various Styles of Meditation  with Different Facilitators Each Month First Thursday of each month at 7:00pm No fee - Love Donations accepted RSVP required - click HERE to register Angel Card Guidance Readings with Bonnie Schindler Saturday 1/4, 10:00am-2:00pm Reiki by Rickie ~ ReikiSpace  Discover what special messages the Angels have for YOU !  $35 for 30 minutes RSVP required - click HERE to register Reiki I Class with Rickie Freedman, Reiki Master/Teacher Saturday 1/4, 9:30am-5:30pm Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place Learn about and EXPERIENCE your energy Learn self-healing and and the ability to share Reiki with others Receive your Reiki I attunement, manual and personalized certificate RSVP required - your investment: $160 CE Credits available for Massage Therapists Future Reiki I classes: 2/17- 4/5 - 6/28 - 9/20 - 11/8 Click HERE to register for a future class NEW ! Connected Awareness with Magali Diskus Monday 1/6, 6:30pm-8:00pm Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place Diverse activities designed to: Inspire, Shine, Share, Discover, Experience, Feel, Connect, Support and Empower One Another ! A $5.00 Charity Donation suggested RSVP required - click HERE to register ReikiShare Tuesday 1/7, 7:00pm-8:30pm Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place  Share the Light and Positive Energy ! ALL Reiki Practitioners WELCOME Love Donations graciously accepted RSVP requested - click HERE to register NEW !  HAPPYness Hour ! - Artist's Reception - featuring Denise VanBriggle Wednesday 1/8, 6:00pm-8:00pm Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place Meet ReikiSpace Practitioner and Current Featured Artist Denise VanBriggle Learn about and explore her inspirational poetry and photography ! Enjoy a glass of wine, light refreshments and engaging social connection ! RSVP requested - click HERE to register Love Donations accepted  NEW ! MANDALA WORKSHOP   A Winter's Reflection of Your Sacred Self with Rhonda Hess  ("Fully Fit to Lead") Saturday 1/11, 10:00am-2:00pm Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place Learn, create and declare who you want to be in the Spring  Explore and develop your Personal Mandala No artistic ability required ! Play, meditation, imagery and movement Your investment: $35 includes materials and light refreshments Class limited to 14 RSVP required - click HERE to register  NEW ! The SHINE Program  Renew and Reveal ! withMagali Diskus Saturday 1/18, 9:30am-1:30pm Reiki by Rickie - Learning Place  Reveal to your Consciousness what  already exists within, through a Powerful  Transformation Visualization  Clear any blocks, raise your vibration, find your balance and fill with Light and Love ! Set re-holistic goals for 2014 Create your plan ! Your Investment: $75 Includes a SHINE charm necklace and 2 sample bottles of Magali's Original Essential Oil Blends  RSVP required - click HERE to register  JourneyDance™ with Denise VanBriggle Sunday 1/19, 2:00pm-3:30pm  or  Monday 1/27, 6:30pm-8:00pm  Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place JourneyDance™ is the blend of music and movement, weaving simple, guided  movement sequences and free exploration. JourneyDance™ reconnects you with your  innate state of joyous well-being  No experience necessary Space is very limited for this small and intimate group experience Your investment: $12 RSVP required - to register, click HERE or call: 717.986.0553 Harrisburg Area  Reiki Lovers Meetup Group Tuesday 1/21, 7:00pm-8:30pm Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place Planning and Connecting !  Time to Plan our new year together Let's share our ideas and inspirations ! Positive time for sharing connections and healing energy.  No Reiki training necessary RSVP Required - click HERE to register Your investment: $5 Positive Energy  Breakfast Gathering  Wednesday 1/22, 8:30am-9:30am City Line Diner 3302 Derry Street, Harrisburg Join together for a positive, loving, supportive gathering over breakfast We rotate restaurants each and every month No fee -  just the cost of your own breakfast RSVP requested - click HERE to register  NEW ! DARE to Dream Conversations with Vera Cornish Thursday 1/23, 6:30pm-8:30pm Reiki by Rickie ~ Learning Place Join Vera Cornish and Rickie Freedman in authentic, safe, and lively conversation. Open the Window of Possibility, and allow YOUR Light to Shine !  Enrollment Limited- Reserve your space ! Your Investment: $30 Includes prize drawings for Coaching with Vera and Reiki Sessions ! RSVP required - click HERE to register UPCOMING EVENTS 2/1 - Reiki ll Class Rickie Freedman 10am-5pm 2/1 - Angel Card Guidance Readings  Bonnie Schindler 10am-2pm 2/3 - Connected Awareness  Magali Diskus 6:30pm-8pm 2/4 - ReikiShare 7pm-8:30pm 2/6 - Monthly Meditation Evening Christine Baer 7pm-8pm 2/7 - PRIVATE Sound Healing Sessions Lana Ryder 2/8 - ReikiSound Certification Class Lana Ryder 9:30am-6pm 2/16 - JourneyDance Denise VanBriggle 2pm-3:30pm 2/17 - Reiki l Class Rickie Freedman 9:30am-5:30pm 2/24 - JourneyDance Denise VanBriggle 6:30pm-8pm 2/26 - Positive Energy Breakfast Gathering 8:30pm-9:30am Gallery Wall at ReikiSpace - Denise VanBriggle - Denise VanBriggle, JourneyDance Instructor and ReikiSpace Practitioner, Displays her Original Poetry and Photography. To Quote: "Each Piece Reflects My Love of Nature and Deeply Connects to My Own Spirituality" Please Be Sure to Savor this Newest Exhibit ! And Remember, ALL are Welcome to Feature Individual Creativity. Click HERE to Contact  Kelly M for Details Reiki by Rickie  Gift Certificates Unique, Beautiful and Always Available by E-Mail MasterCard, VISA and PayPal Accepted Click HERE to View Sample "PEACE"  It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work ~ It means to be in the midst of those things and still be CALM in your Heart Have a Peaceful Day ! Reiki by Rickie - ReikiSpace & Learning Place Sturbridge Business Park 2793 Old Post Road, Suite 10 Harrisburg, PA 17110 717.599.2299 www.ReikiByRickie.com