Your contribution is not just financial support but a vital element in the success of Jean’s projects. Your involvement will have a significant impact and make a real difference.
I have set up two different sites for donations and funding the projects I am making for the communities. These are the platforms where you can contribute to Jean’s projects. I have included the links for your convenience. http://kck.st/4baNnK1
Reaching out to audiences can be challenging, and I pay one backer upfront using my income. I am grateful for the support we have received so far, with one person donating the Epson Scanner for the project, a Deaf senior supporting me in gathering around the ex-deaf members about this project, and another promising to donate after he is residing in a new home.
I sourced funding/donation applicant grants in New Zealand, and sadly, most of the applicant funding renews next year, in February 2025. There are one or two funding grants for which I may get the equipment but not for the projects of hours, preparing and publishing a book and a couple of Domain sites under WordPress.com. One is called the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities (six times a year by the committee board’s decision-making).
I suggest heading over to two domain links where I made the starting platforms of the website for readers/audiences to learn about our Waikato Deaf History, New Zealand. Please have a look and consider supporting me by donating to these projects. Without our Waikato Deaf History, it will be lost and untouchable in the Waikato Deaf Society Inc. and Waikato Deaf Units.
Helen Keller Day is a significant day that commemorates the extraordinary journey of a woman who, despite her profound challenges, managed to make a lasting impact on the world. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Helen Keller
The theme for Deafblind Awareness Week 2024, ‘Embracing Diversity: Breaking Barriers Together,’ is not just a slogan but a potent call to action. It echoes the challenges faced by the Deafblind community and underscores the strength of unity and collective effort in overcoming these barriers. This week, a symbol of solidarity, runs from June 25 to July 1, serving as a poignant reminder of the community’s ongoing struggle and collective power.
This week is timely, reminding me about Helen Keller Day. I have been involved with a small group of Deafblind people for many years. Only one particular person was Elsa, who moved to New Zealand from the United Kingdom and lived in Auckland and Cambridge, Waipa. Elsa was born deaf and lost her eyesight from time to time. Her communication was sign language in tactile form, and she used reading tools such as a magnifying screen pad. Then technology came, and magnifying screens improved but were expensive for reader use. Here are the photos and the video from the Central Library, Hamilton.
I recently had an eye test and was referred to the Waikato Hospital for further tests. The diagnosis of my eye test was early, and I knew what to expect in my life and the future. I sit back and enjoy the moment as I go through daily life at work and home.
In the past, the Deafblind community grappled with significant challenges, relying on braille equipment, walking canes, and tactile sign language for communication. However, the advent of technology has ushered in a new era, offering fresh possibilities and enhanced accessibility for the millions of Deafblind people worldwide, instilling a sense of hope for the future.
Today, many ITs and inventors are improving technology to match and fit the lifestyle and workplace of Deafblind people through a friendly, accessible environment. However, the main problems are the cost of technology, the need for more funding, and low income.
Jobs are struggling for Deafblind graduates and qualified people while other Deafblind people stay home, struggling to have their freedom in the community. Yes, several Deafblind people are working in a different area of work, but it is not fully accessible, and they receive low incomes. The result of the difficulty and struggle is due to the lack of awareness and understanding of their (Deafblind) disability/disabilities. People without a disability have no experience or limit of empathy with the family, friends and staff in the community because people without a disability have no idea of how to live with the impaired disability themselves. Why not learn and try to understand from us?
Today, the world is changing faster than anyone expects, for example, global changes, future technology, financial and economic decline, job cuts, increasing poverty, crimes, health issues, etc. Mm, let you know we will have an increasing number of disabled people plus children’s everyday lives, and there is so much to tell you and expect you to learn about us, including Deafblind people.
Have you ever thought about yourself losing your eyesight and then losing your hearing loss or losing hearing loss then eyesight?? Let me tell you; it is a more significant challenge to learn late than early if you do not think about Deafblind people or any other people with disabilities.
Here is one of the famous quotes that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities used when addressing the assemblies: “Nothing about Us Without Us” by James Charlton. I use this quote wherever I attend meetings, Government agencies’ meetings, Health Advisory groups, and other places.
The Moon is the reflection of your heart, and moonlight is the twinkle of your love.
Debasish Mridha
As we step into this chilly evening, the waxing Moon above our home hints at the approaching Matariki, a significant event in the Māori culture, set to occur next week on June 28th, 2024.
Have you ever wondered what Matariki means to you, readers?
Matariki, also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, is a cluster of stars in the Taurus constellation. For the Māori people, it holds a special place in their culture, symbolizing the start of the Māori New Year. The name Matariki is a shortened version of Ngā mata o te ariki o Tāwhirimātea, or ‘the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea’, a name that reflects its celestial significance.
It was a night filled with a unique ambience as I called our dogs back from their night runs. The waxing Moon cast its ethereal glow everywhere, and the distant sounds of traffic passed by.
I like to think that the Moon is there, even if I am not looking at it.
Albert Einstein
While we were sleeping overnight, the sound of the rain came heavy until it disappeared in the morning today (June 23rd). Note that I did not hear the sound, for I am deaf at night without hearing aids.
Worked with a disabled, elderly man (with cerebral palsy, speech impaired and deaf), and his name is Jacek. Jacek asked me if he needed his raincoat while we were going to make his requests for groceries, an outing, and lunch. He bought his raincoat in case. Jacek learns about the public holiday on Friday, June 28th, because he does not know Matariki and what it is all about. I explained to him, and he replied that it is good for us (my partner and myself) to sleep more.
I want to share with you all the links I plan to use to raise funds or donate to specific projects of Waikato Deaf Society Inc. and Waikato Deaf Units, such as [Project 1] and [Project 2].
There are no resources or stories in the library or on the website. Many people and the families of their ex Deaf members do not know a lot about the Deaf seniors’ lives through Waikato Deaf Society Inc., Their experience in their Deaf community is unique and different from other communities. They face unique challenges, such as specific challenges, which can often be hidden, silenced, or forgotten. These struggles are usually due to barriers such as communication within the families, staff, and the people in the community, where we may not resolve the difficulty in the Deaf Seniors’ lives. The Deaf Seniors’s children (CODA – Children/Child of the Deaf Adults) may remember the good times and learn to understand their parents’ struggles with many barriers and the good times such as camping, outings and getting involved with social.
The projects are the main resource for publication, such as publishing books for the community and websites I made under WordPress.com
I have started collecting and scanning photos to write stories along with the Deaf senior who is supporting me. I need the funds for travel costs, hours of research and writing, scanning photos to a good laptop with large memory (GB), video chats by recording, the cost of paying monthly through the WordPress site and many other tasks.
Here are a couple of fundraising/donation links to the projects. If you can help, please share them with your family and friends and spread this message. Your support, no matter how small, is invaluable to us, and we are deeply grateful for it.
Before the storm hits New Zealand this week, bright, colourful leaves are falling on the fields everywhere. I remember a time when I was walking and watching our dogs play and romp around the fields, and it was such a delight to see so many colourful leaves. I couldn’t help but join in their playful chase, feeling the crisp air on my face and the crunch of the leaves under my boots. It’s moments like these that truly make winter unique.
“Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.” – Victor Hugo. This quote from Victor Hugo beautifully captures the essence of winter, where the external cold contrasts with the warmth and hope within us. It reminds me that even in the coldest times, a spark of life and joy can always keep us going.
“Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude.” – William Shakespeare.
Last Wednesday, late afternoon, the storm came across the North Island, and we were prepared for safety and warmth in our homes. Several power cuts, high winds, and trees falling over in Greater Auckland and Raglan as we saw the news on the television. The storm disrupted our daily routine, but it also brought a sense of adventure and resilience. Thursday morning came, and I inspected the property while the dogs romped under the watchful eyes because our young pup managed to slip through the fence while chasing the bloody rabbit. There was no damage here except that the wall of the roof sheet in the garden blew down, and loose dead branches were everywhere. As I wear hearing aids, I can hear the crushing noise, but it is not strong enough when I walk through fallen colourful leaves.
Winter is here! 01/06/2024
“Winter is a glorious spectacle of glittering fractals complete with a soundscape and atmosphere entirely its own.” – Anders Swanson. Winter is a time of unique beauty and wonder. The way the frost sparkles on the trees, the sound of the wind whistling through the bare branches, and the crispness of the air are all part of the magic of winter that I truly appreciate.
Putting the gumboots on, I walk while the dogs play, chase each other, and romp over the leaves. Our older dog, Jazz, accompanies me side by side. The vibrating of the sounds through my gumboots gave me the echo-vibrating sound travel up to my upper body through my hearing aids of the leaves crushing sounds when I walked on. The air was crisp and cold, and the sound of the leaves under my boots echoed through the quiet winter landscape. It was a moment of pure winter magic.
The sound of the leaves 01/06/2024
It’s Saturday here. My partner suggested we need a blower vacuum instead of raking all the leaves yearly. We headed over to Bunnings Warehouse in the city of Hamilton. We inspected the prices and the weight of handling the blower vacuum for me as I have Cervical disc Degeneration Radiopathy on my right side, and to ensure I don’t prolong the period when using the equipment and strain my right side overnight, which causes soreness and pain. Winter brings challenges, but with some creativity and support, we can find ways to overcome them and enjoy the season.
One serene afternoon, following a heavy rain that had swept across the North Island, the sun gently caressed the damp ground, illuminating the fallen leaves. The wild weather had passed, leaving behind a calm anticipation for the impending cold season.
The sight of the leaves, a kaleidoscope of colours strewn in a seemingly random pattern, was a breathtaking spectacle, a vibrant testament to the artistry of nature’s palette.
Leaving the fallen leaves to bask in the sun’s warmth, they gradually transform into compost, ready to nourish our vegetable and flower gardens. And there’s Ben, our playful pup, leaping into the pile of leaves with unbridled joy.
Our two other dogs walking around and sniffing the rabbit’s scents on the ground.
Rabbits are busy collecting scrap of food, grasses, rotten vegetables, and fruits in the garden.
Plenty of wood was stored in the barn, which is ready for our home’s fire heating.
Hark, it is only May going into June, and the winter is not here.
“Silence is golden when you can’t think of a good answer.” Muhammed Ali
This morning, on my way out from the Hamilton City Council, where I was teaching staff to learn our language—NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language)—it was a beautiful, chilly morning with sunshine basking the golden, yellow, and brown leaves on the ground. Oh boy, it was a cold morning after leaving our home in Eureka, and it was 3°.
One of the staff told me that Hamilton City was 1°. Ouch!
Hamilton City Council May 8th 2024
“Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love — that makes life and nature harmonize.” — George Eliot
I reflected on the past videos, especially those by Hamilton Lake/Lake Rotoroa, during the lockdown. Here are the video and photos.
I was sorting through the photos left to me by my family, one Deaf man and the Deaf Club Society books handed to me by the daughter of the Deaf father. The precise images were of the veterans who went to Egypt and outside Wellington, New Zealand, during World War 2 from late Gran. It was amazing to see the veterans’ lives during the war.
Poppies in my garden
I am grateful to have these photos and treasure them for the next generation. The next generation will learn about the past of the wars, the suffering of the loss, how hardships the veterans came home to their families, even our families, and whether they (the veterans) talked about their experience of the horror wars or not.
English poet Laurence Binyon in September 1914:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Every year, on April 25th, people in New Zealand remember their lost loved ones on a particular day—ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). In our families on both sides, we have lost granduncles, cousins, and great-grandfathers and several women who served as nurses. A few men came back alive, but their lives were not the same as before. My late father’s grandfather served in two wars before coming to New Zealand, which was odd about his life. We have got a photograph of him. Photo shown here.
Harry Horace Masters
My late father, Allan, was a Home Guard in Waikato, New Zealand. Allan’s brother Keith served as a cook in the Pacific Islands through the Vietnam War, and Keith came home in one piece. My mother’s father, Albert (Gee, as we called him), was a Home Guard and a driver during World War Two.
Johny Watkinson with my late father Ray and late uncle John and their Watkinson boys.
Canadian medical officer Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, in his poem, ‘In Flanders fields’.
In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That marks our place and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The photos of the veterans, the background of the images, and their lives showed us important meanings and clues of history through wars, the Deaf Society, Deaf Education, and more. Tomorrow, generations will learn from us and our lives through poverty, financial recession, our disability – D/deaf and D/deaf with disabilities, climate change, technologies, agricultural lives, infrastructure, and wealth.
Follett-Fell Douglas FollettEgyptMen – RugbyThe Ball’s men in the small canalOne of the Ball’s son and friendsOne of the Rohde’s friends or sonWomen in uniformAir Raids over UKOne of the Rohde’s son or friends
There are many ongoing wars in the world, and they never stop, for example, Israel vs. Gaza and Ukraine vs. Russia. In the past, there were many wars, such as the American Civil War: North and South (the Union (“the North“) and the Confederacy (“the South“)USA), the Vietnam War, and the Boers War in South Africa against the British Empire, Orange Free State, and the South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal and Anglo-Boer War).
Several questions came to my mind when I studied one of the papers – The American Civil War, at the University of Waikato, and I asked the professor whether any Deaf men served in this war or not. The professor replied no, and I thought of doing some ground research at the University of Waikato Library. I found a book called Fighting in the Shadows: The Untold Story of the Deaf People in the Civil War by Harry G. Lang, and yes, there were several Deaf men and young men who served as cannon soldiers and other stories can be found in this book. I typed an assignment as proof of my findings and handed it to the professor. He did not research any ‘born permantely’ disabled men and Deaf men and families in the war topics. I presume the professor was not interested in the disability area.
Today is ANZAC day, and let us remember every man and woman who served in the wars and preserve their histories of service through wars. It is essential to treasure their stories through interviews, photos and items they bought back from the wars.
Help Jean to raise money for the projects – Deaf History in NZ and International. Thanks
In Māori mythology, the Fantail is believed to bring death into our world. It’s a chilling thought, isn’t it? The Maori people, my people, hold the belief that if a Fantail is spotted inside a house, it’s a sign of impending death.
On the day of the funeral, I came home and pondered what I had been through for the family who lost their Deaf brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and granduncle. In the work under the social service, I had been visiting, assisting and supporting two Deaf brothers for over ten years. Gordon was the last member of the Deaf genetics in the family, but leaving two deaf family members of Auckland, I don’t do with these two young members.
I consider a different ideology about Famtail than the Maori culture. For example, “As a spiritual symbol, the Fantail teaches us to find joy in the little things. Its playful nature reminds us not to take life too seriously”.
The Fantail is believed to represent joy, happiness, and spiritual change.
There was an evening light rain, and then suddenly, reflections through the sunroom into the lounge caught my eye. I turned toward the sunroom and saw these fantails dancing in the evening with our security lights on. I watched them for a moment or a couple of moments to think about.
So, life is precious to everyone.
Here are the details about Fantail as a totem.
“Fantail as a totem of positivity and optimism
Fantail is also a totem animal that is associated with positivity and optimism. Those who have Fantail as their totem are often able to find joy in even the most challenging of circumstances. They are able to maintain a positive outlook on life, even when things are difficult, and they are able to inspire others to do the same.” https://newspiritanimal.com/spiritual-meaning-of-fantail-with-symbolism-and-totem/
I have two different health issues and will be visiting the hospital next week. This makes me think about where I will be, how I will manage to do things while I am doing Deaf History projects, the works, our financials plus the projects’ financial needs to get me going, and our homes with gardens. There needs to be more funding for the projects, and I cannot use our work financially. I am hoping that my health issues won’t be severe, but it is difficult to start early, for I am 60 years old.
New Zealand is in a recession, and we have no idea how the financial situation is currently for all people, including people with disabilities. Many jobs were laid off, and other large industries were cut back due to tightened financials. Life goes on.
I was rushed off to pick up two Deaf elderly people for their visit to another ex-deaf school friend of Titirangi School for the Deaf in Cambridge, Waikato.
While I was driving along the Waikato Expressway to Cambridge, I was thinking of putting together a story about the Waikato Deaf Society Inc. How should I start, where I put it together in the timelines, what stories should place in order through chapters, putting photos together or in each chapter of the Deaf older members and their lives. Where should I find funding and income to continue working through by making a book and putting it on the website? I am working on the other project – Hamilton Deaf Untis and I reached out to many ex Deaf students, ex-teachers, and parents of the Deaf students. But only some have come forward with video stories, photos, and questions/answers.
With the previous Facebook pages, I lost them and am waiting for restoration, but one helpful group managed to do the work and expected me to make the final payment, for which I have very little money left in the projects. They may not be more helpful with the final cost because the NZ Dollar is higher than the USD dollar. There were names of contacts as followers there, but I lost the followers’ contacts. I cannot leave it because I cannot make the final payment but to start making a fresh page. There is no option. Most people here were surprised, but losing the cost is relatively risky, and I will get the payment back. No other choice at the moment.
In Cambridge, Waikato, four Deaf people are in one room having morning tea, conversing through sign language, and minimal speaking. There were a lot of laughs, reminiscing about old times, stories to share, weather talks, and, of course, families.
“Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great too.” —Mark Twain
On my return to Hamilton, I dropped the Deaf elderly lady off at the Resthome and informed the nurse in charge and the service manager that we did social distancing and fresh air. The Resthome, elderly residents, and most staff received another COVID outbreak during our Autumn season here. Life with the COVID outbreaks is everywhere worldwide and keeps repeating through seasons. Amazing, my partner and I have not caught COVID for over 5 years, for I am a frontline worker under the social service and one of the Disability organisations.
With Jacek in tow, we went to Hamilton East Shopping Centre, where he wanted to pay his bill and have lunch in the popular cafe. I was looking out the window and watching shoppers walk by. I noticed one chap with a tattoo. I have seen him around in Hamilton, and he is a hauāuki (disabled) Māori (Maaor)i beneficiary. He was begging for food and a little money for a couple in the street. One of the couple led him to Carl’s Jr pizza place next to the cafe where we were. It is a gesture of gratitude with a small token of the price of a pizza. Just like Jacek, when I support and assist him, he always gives me something meaningful back because of the work I have done for him. Recently, we lost one of the Deaf elderly men (ninety-one years old) last week, and his Waikato family gave me a gift of flowers and a card, plus many thankful speeches during the funeral. Again, they were a gesture of gratitude for my work for their two Deaf family members over ten years. The family and I remain in touch in the meantime, and they will assist with my project by interviewing and collecting photos. It is called friendship, and it is never lost again by trust. (Please excuse this fonts)
“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return. You should give a good thought to the happiness that you can give out.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
Over lunch, we chatted more about what was happening in the world, such as ongoing wars, fighting in the street, and flooding, because he did not understand what happened. Yes, there were subtitles on the news channel, but he does not read subtitles. I told Jacek that in Hamilton, we are experiencing more job losses and cutbacks in many businesses due to the recession in New Zealand. He is lucky because he is a retired person with three different disabilities – Deaf, Cerebral Palsy and speech impaired. Suddenly, looking at him, I wrote a story about Jacek and his experiences transitioning from Kelston School for the Deaf (Auckland) to work, as well as his pastimes and hobbies – Lawn Bowl, the Catholic Church, Christian Fellowship group and the Waikato Deaf Society. Jacek is different from his old Deaf friends because of his triple disabilities.
This morning, I am typing this blog and still thinking about how I can piece together this carefully, one step at a time. My sister has a friend who may help me if I ask her.
Tomorrow is another day to meet another Deaf elderly man, John K., and there will be more conversation about the Waikato Deaf Society Inc., for he is helping me with the project at no price to pay—just lunch or afternoon tea.
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” —Calvin Coolidge
Life in Eureka 
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