Are you still on the fence about going to the HLAA Convention in Indianapolis this summer? It’s not too late to register and you can still go if you want to! 

I will never forget my first convention in 2011 in Washington, DC. I was profoundly deaf, and I knew nothing about my hearing loss or how to advocate for myself. I was thrilled to see live captions in all the workshops and the many assistive listening systems that were available. Oh my gosh, is this for real?! I can hear and I’m included and people really care about accommodating me?! I thought.

I was 45 years old, and for the first time in my life, I was in an educational setting that was 100% geared to help me hear and understand my best. I was so happy that I cried tears of joy.

I wanted to learn as much as I could, so my husband (my cheerleader) and I took different workshops and compared notes back in our hotel room. He took a workshop on cochlear implants and said, “Honey, I think this surgery could really help you.” At the time I said, “No way!” because I was scared and I didn’t know anything about the technology.

I was blown away by the variety of workshops available. Everything from communicating in relationships, to understanding technology, the ADA and how to advocate for myself. I found the research symposium fascinating, learning about new advances in treating hearing loss was exciting. 

The exhibit hall was amazing. I saw so many products designed for people with hearing loss — products that I didn’t even know existed. I bought a travel-size vibrating alarm clock to put under my pillow so I didn’t have to depend on my husband to wake me up in the morning. I was getting my independence back! 

Attending that convention changed me. It gave me hope that my life could get better and that people cared. Knowledge is power. I felt empowered and supported and I wanted to learn everything I could about my hearing loss so I could improve the quality of my life. That was 14 years ago, and my life has improved immeasurably as I’ve continued to grow and learn.

I went on to study at Gallaudet University, and I became a peer mentor so that I could help others like me. I now have bilateral cochlear implants! I wrote, produced and starred in my one woman play “Lost in Sound” to raise awareness for hearing loss. I have written and taught workshops. I spearheaded and led an online support group for people with hearing loss called HOPE. Last summer, I was honored to be a workshop presenter at the national HLAA convention in Phoenix, where I received the Spirit of HLAA award for my leadership of HOPE. 

My discovery of the Hearing Loss Association of America — Washington State has completely transformed me and what I have been able to accomplish in my life. It all started when I found the courage to attend my first convention 14 years ago, and “BOOM!” my whole world opened up and my life got bigger and better!

Are you still on the fence? If you can go to the convention this summer, I encourage you to register now and go. You will learn a lot, make new friends and go home empowered. Who knows? Your convention experience could radically change the course of your life for the better. It did for me, and I am so grateful!

About the Author

Kimberly Parker leads our monthly HOPE meetings, helping people dealing with hearing loss voice their needs and find support. She recently received the Spirit of HLAA award for her leadership and service to HOPE. Kimberly is also a Gallaudet Peer Mentor, past board member, HLAA Convention presenter, retired drama teacher and writer, producer, and star of the one-woman play, “Lost in Sound.”