2015 Oticon "Focus on People Awards" Now Accepting Nominations

 

2015 Oticon Focus on People Awards Seek Outstanding People with Hearing Loss 

For National Recognition and Prizes 

SOMERSET, NJ   May 28 -- Oticon, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the 2015 Oticon Focus on People Awards. The national awards program, now in its 17th year, celebrates the accomplishments of people with hearing loss who demonstrate that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to achieve, contribute and excel.  

People with any degree of hearing loss – from mild to more severe -- are eligible. Winners in four categories earn cash prizes, donations to their favorite charities and Oticon hearing solutions with BrainHearing™ technology. 

The four categories include: Student, for full-time students, ages 6 - 25 with hearing loss; Adult, for people age 21 and above with hearing loss; Advocacy, for volunteers ages 21 and above with hearing loss who support the hard-of-hearing and deaf community; and Practitioner, for hearing care professionals in general practice, school and clinical settings who go “above and beyond.”  Nominees in the Practitioner category are not required to have a hearing loss to qualify. 

First place winners in the Student, Adult and Advocacy categories receive a $1,000 prize, a $1,000 gift to the charity of their choice and a set of Oticon BrainHearing™ technology hearing solutions.  Second place winners in each category receive a $500 award and third-place winners receive $250.   

Anyone may nominate using a simple online form available at www.oticonusa.com/FOP.  Deadline for nominations is July 15, 2015.

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You can read my experience as a 2014 winner here: 

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2014/08/xpressive-handz-joyce-edmiston-wins.html

Princess Ewauna and the Legend of Face Rock (photo by Gary Edmiston)

I love living in the small coastal community of Bandon. My Fabulous Husband was up very early one morning to catch the moon over Face Rock before it dipped into the sea. I love how he also caught the reflection of the moon along the shoreline. Below the photo is the Legend of Face Rock, as found on the Coastal Muse page.

Face Rock, Bandon, Oregon Photo by Gary Edmiston


"The Legend of Face Rock"

Many, many years ago, the legend begins from the Nah-So-Mah tribe. Chief Siskiyou, from the far mountains, traveled with his family and clansmen to the coast to trade with the four tribes who lived by the great sea they called Wecoma.

In his honor, the four chiefs planned the greatest potlatch in all memory. They roasted bear, salmon, elk and deer. Huge quantities of clams and mussels were steamed. Cedar bark trays were filled with honey and red and blue huckleberries.
The local tribes were all in great fear of Seatka, the evil spirit who lived in the sea. It was feared that Seatka might cause trouble for the people and their guest. Armed warriors stood guard on the bluff. However Princess Ewauna, the beautiful daughter of Chief Siskiyou, and those in her tribe who lived in the mountains were not afraid.

Ewauna was enchanted by the sea. After the feast when people were sleeping, she slipped away from camp, carrying a basket with her cat and kittens nestled inside, followed by her faithful dog, Komax. She wandered down to the ocean where she danced and played with delight. 

The moon was full and Wecoma ran silver. Ewauna, who did not fear Seatka, swam in the sea, farther and farther from shore. Komax barked a warning but it was too late. The evil Seatka had captured the beautiful princess. The dog, carrying the basket of kittens, swam to his mistress and buried his teeth in the hand of Seatka. Howling, he shook off the dog and threw the cats into the sea. Seatka tried to make Ewauna look into his eyes, but she refused to look away from the great round moon.

When her father awoke, he raised the alarm. Everyone rushed to the shore of Wecoma. There they saw the lovely face of Ewauna gazing skyward. Her dog was on the beach howling for the princess and the cat and kittens were in the sea to the west. In time, they all turned to stone, frozen forever as they were that long ago dawn.
http://www.coastalmuseart.com/#comment-193

A Mother's Day Note from my Mother

I found this in my jewelry armoire today from 8 years ago. My mother's words still deeply touch me. 

My Mother

I am incredibly grateful for the woman who selflessly allowed me to be adopted into another family.

My mother adopted me when I was 11 months old. She not only was my mother, she was my best friend, and I miss her dearly. It's been 17 months since she transitioned from this earth, but I find the grief still too fresh. She gave me an incredible life filled with travel, hiking, camping and fishing and a myriad of other experiences. She was smart, funny, kind and gentle. 

But more than all of that, she loved me unconditionally. 

I hope I am like her when I grow up. 

Mom (Mary Evans) and me, summer 2012, Oregon Coast 

My mother at the Trees of Mystery,

2013

Beach art by Gary for Mother's Day, 2015

Spiritual Maturity: What is it?

This little gem showed up in an email this week, and it is an excellent perspective of what Spiritual Maturity really is:

Being Spiritually Mature

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how long you’ve been a Christian, or how much you know, or how often you go to church. Spiritual maturity is measured by the way you treat other people. It’s measured by the love you allow to operate through you.

First Corinthians 13 tells us about the characteristics of love. When we are walking in love, we treat other people with courtesy and respect. Are you kind to the person at the checkout counter that may be moving too slowly? Are you gentle when you are driving down the highway and someone cuts you off? Are you patient with your family and coworkers? These are all ways we show love.

Scripture also tells us that love is patient. It is kind. It does not envy; it is not proud. It is not rude. Love is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love never fails. Notice that these characteristics don’t have anything to do with feelings. That’s because love is a choice. You can choose to walk in love toward people even when you don’t feel like it — and that’s what being spiritually mature is all about!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for loving me so that I can show love to others. Teach me to be patient and kind and treat others the way You always treat me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen

We Are Grandparents Again!

We are grandparents again! This little cutie pie will be signing before we know it!

Happy National Interpreter's Day

Here's to all the interpreters who provide access to language! I'd like to include CART and Captioning Providers, as well! 

Text Captioning is language, too! #TextInterpreting #WithCaptions