Tactile The World

Coco’s Letter of Support for Help Kindle Needed Change...
Tactile The World *I wrote this for a group on Facebook which you can join, it's for a good cause, to help improve and innovate Helen Keller National Centre to be the place it should be – not a place where Deafblind feel ... Continue reading →
Mon, Dec 19 2011

411: Worldwide Organizations for the Deafblind
Tactile The World I'm on a roll. Finding more resources for you to dive into and become more enriched with what the Deafblind sphere has to offer. Take a look at a long list of continent-categorized Deafblind associations. Some are outdated, but some ... Continue reading →
Mon, Oct 24 2011

411: European Organizations of the Deafblind
Tactile The World If you're living in Europe and looking for connections to Deafblind organizations, here is the link” [link] I can see a few organizations where I personally know the president and active members. If you need a direct contact, I might ... Continue reading →
Mon, Oct 24 2011

Db Organization in Focus: Filo D’Oro Italy
Tactile The World The Italian Deafblind Association is featured in today's blog FILO D'ORO ITALY [link] The text is in Italian, but more reason to learn the very romantic language to understand how service and passion can fulfill a Deafblind person's life by ... Continue reading →
Mon, Oct 24 2011

Update – October 20, 2011
Tactile The World Update – October 20, 2011 Namaste, everyone. Hope this finds you all well, healtthy and in good spirits. This finds me settled in Kathmandu, Nepal as of this moment in my cozy, black-and-red Asian motif living room thinking to myself: ... Continue reading →
Thu, Oct 20 2011

South Africa Journal #8: Deaf Democracy?
Tactile The World July 17, 2011 International Conference Centre, Durban This is my first ever WFD Congress. I had been a part of the WFD Youth Camp in 2003 in Canada, but this would mark my first time being a full ... Continue reading →
Sun, Aug 28 2011

South African Journal #7: WFD Youth, Our Future
Tactile The World July 16, 2011 International Conference Centre Durban It was early Saturday evening as I sat waiting in the hotel lobby for my two Canadian friends, who happen to be WFD Youth Camp delegates from Canada, to arrive for our dinner date. The Hilton hotel began buzzing with activity, the swarm of delegates [...]
Mon, Aug 15 2011

Back in Canada
Tactile The World Wow, what an adventure. I am now back home in Canada, resting up and getting rid of the jetlag. I will be feeding blogs from the adventures in South Africa soon, thank you for your patience, but most of all, support. Tactile love, Coco
Tue, Aug 09 2011

South Africa Journal #6: In The Midst Of Things
Tactile The World Jeffreys Bay, South Africa August 2, 2011 August 2, 2011 Nearly three weeks have passed since the day I arrived in Durban to kick off the WASLI conference and then came WFD and passed me along so quickly and then here I find myself sitting on a bar stool in a hostel [...]
Wed, Aug 03 2011

South Africa Journal #5: The Passion Within
Tactile The World July 21, 2011 I have always strived to work in developing countries – for this reason I came to South Africa to make network and learn lessons through people who are from developing countries and work for them. It has been an amazing few days thus far – meeting the Member of Parliament of [...]
Fri, Jul 22 2011

Journal Delays
Tactile The World Y'ello from Durban – the XVI World Federation of the Deaf Congress is coming to an end soon. I wanted to explain why there has been time in between feeding my blogs on this website. Firstly, my beloved laptop is still in the repair shop back in Canada meaning this very laptop I am [...]
Fri, Jul 22 2011

South Africa Journal #4: Out with the Old, In with the New
Tactile The World July 16, 2011 I awoke this morning, walked over to the balcony and stood outside in the fresh, cool wind of the Antarctica winter blowing out way. My body felt so heavy, with the weight of the stress of the past and present, with a 18-hour nonstop flight in between. I’m just starting [...]
Wed, Jul 20 2011

South Africa Journal #3: The World Interpreted Through My...
Tactile The World July 14, 2011 Durban, SOUTH AFRICA When I first found out that the prices for a flight to Durban by the  17th would be astronomical – in the range of $4,000, I freaked out. Struggling for an entire week to find discounts for the airfare, I found some kind of contempt – an organization in [...]
Thu, Jul 14 2011

South Africa Journal #2: The Long Journey Over
Tactile The World July 14, 2011 Addington Beach, Durban, SOUTH AFRICA I am finally here. After siz long months of dreaming, contemplating, plotting, giving up then going for it – I have set foot on South African ground. I now am a temporary resident of a hotel room with a balcony overlooking the Indian Ocean. Everything is starting [...]
Thu, Jul 14 2011

South Africa Journal #1: Miracles Do Happen
Tactile The World July 8, 2011 Welcome to Coco’s South Africa Journal – covering everything during this three week wild adventure and quest for advocacy.! Today is a rainy day in Burlington, Vermont as I type this first entry of an adventure I intend to document from beginning to the end. I will [...]
Sat, Jul 09 2011

Nepal Journal #5: When Seeds Are Sowed
Tactile The World March 15, 2011 When you grow an orchard, you’ll have a few bad crops. But you keep trying and it’ll turn into bountifuls of beautiful trees with perfected apples that drop seeds nearby and carried afar to grow more. I discovered my advocacy passion through my Communication Studies major, then it grew when I worked [...]
Wed, Mar 16 2011

Nepal Journal #4: This Is What Human Rights Advocacy Is...
Tactile The World February 22, 2011 There are an estimated hundreds of thousands of Deafblind people around the world. There is no accurate estimate, developing countries are slow to census this focus group or comprehend that it is possible to educate a person with a secondary disability. Developed countries like America, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, [...]
Thu, Feb 24 2011

NSJ #3: Education Is A Powerful Tool
Tactile The World Nepal Journal #3: Education Is A Powerful Tool February 11, 2011 Naxal District School for the Deaf opened its doors 30 years ago in Kathmandu, welcoming more than 300 students. It was only until 2005 a classroom for Deafblind students opened, becoming the first and only class for students without hearing and sight. A [...]
Fri, Feb 11 2011

Nepal Journal #2: How An Example Changed Lives
Tactile The World Nepal Journal #2:  How An Example Changed Lives February 7, 2011 The day Roni arrived, time flew right past us and already she’s left Nepal after a month-long stay at Casa Coco. The house now has an eerie silence, after 30 days of nonstop noises, endless chatter and an occupied guest room. Her [...]
Mon, Feb 07 2011

Nepal Journal #1: Why Nepal?
Tactile The World January 26, 2010 Yesterday I was strolling, more like fumbling, with my cane, my Support Service Provider Roni and Surjan through the ancient town of Patan. Patan lies alongside the Kirtipur Valley and is a suburb of Kathmandu, Nepal. Journeying through the barren, rocky, brick-cobblestone streets with Roni holding my arm and the cane [...]
Mon, Jan 31 2011

411: FCC & Low Turn-out for DB Access Surveys
Tactile The World I came across Ed's Telecom Alerts, a great blog that alerts the Deaf and Deafblind communities of current news on various technology developments, including Video Relay, wireless, computer, mobiles, and thankfully, updating us on the laws & policies concerning us coming from the federal government. The Federal Communications Commission, not long ago, request...
Sun, Oct 03 2010

Pah!: Deafblind Mountain Climber, Heidi Zimmer
Tactile The World Greetings! It always psyches me to come across fantastic, amazing and courageous Deafblind people – my heart fills up with inspiration. I am sure thousands of people out there feel the same way. Be inspired when you read about the awesomely wicked adventures of a Deaf mountain climber and adventurer, Heidi Zimmer. What's even more [...]
Sun, Oct 03 2010

411: Blog on Usher Syndrome by a Doctor
Tactile The World I came across this wonderful and insightful, if not informative, blog by Dr. Jennifer Phillips, who has a daughter with Usher Syndrome. Topics from her own experiences dealing with everyday living with her daughter to medical and scientific research, news on treatments, discussions with other people regarding topics on Usher Syndrome. Usher Syndrome Blog by [...]
Sun, Oct 03 2010

411: Library Resources
Tactile The World The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Library has complied a great list of resources for, by and about the Deafblind. Check out this link: Deafblind Resources There's information on various research texts on visual and auditory disorders, symptoms, and treatments; books on Deafblind written by Deafblind people and valuable information. Read up! Hat tip to ...
Sun, Oct 03 2010

International Usher Syndrome Unity Day
Tactile The World An idea was floating around the Usher Syndrome community in Canada and I decided to make it become reality.... check out unity4ushers.wordpress.com spread the word... a seedling into an olive branch, if you may.... experience, educate & empower tactile love, Coco
Thu, Aug 05 2010

411: NIH’s Report on Usher Syndrome
Tactile The World Greetings to all of my readers! Most of you have a inkling of knowledge about the progressive eye disorder that I have – Usher Syndrome Type I – and all you might know is that I see out of a tunnel vision, have terrible balance, can't see at night, and will eventually go completely blind. [...]
Wed, Aug 04 2010

Stolen Art – Please Help Me Find It!
Tactile The World On July 21, at the DeafNation World Expo Art Gallery, this poster-size painting was taken from the table at the exhibit without my permission or the knowledge of the art gallery Director. DEAFHOOD is the name of the painting, done in watercolor during this year. This painting is done by Pratigya Shakya of Nepal, an [...]
Sat, Jul 24 2010

Tech: Cars driven by the Blind?
Tactile The World With amazement and a gaping open mouth I read this article about a company coming up with the innovation of a car driven by blind people.... HEARING blind people. Too bad... if they had a car with a prosethetic arm that ‘tactiles' directions in my hands or a supersonic sensor that could sense ANYTHING for [...]
Tue, Jul 06 2010

Advocacy: H.R. 3101 Leaves Deafblind Behind
Tactile The World This is a news alert from the National Association for the Deaf in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. Contact your regional NAD representatives and/or American Association for the Deafblind to see how you can keep this from happening! Tactile love, Coco *************************** H.R. 3101 LEAVES DEAFBLIND BEHIND: THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEAF ACTION ALERT [link]
Tue, Jul 06 2010

Journal: Clicking My Cane in Oz
Tactile The World January 23, 2010 Sydney, Australia What’s not to like about the idea of going Down Under? The land of kangaroos, outback deserts, Steve Irwin, Crocodile Dundee, billabongs, roadkill and gorgeous shorelines all around? I had always thought about going to Australia, lovingly called ‘Oz’ by its inhabitants, but the country seemed so far to fathom [...]
Sat, May 15 2010

Pah!: Deafblind Man to Hike Appalachian Trail
Tactile The World Good day from SE Asia! I wanted to share the awesome story of Roger Poulin, a man diagnosed with Usher Syndrome and his dream to hike the Appalachian Trail. This adventure will take place in the next few weeks. Read the link below, leave a comment to show your support to Roger, his sighted companions Roni [...]
Wed, Mar 24 2010

Journal #12: Veni, Vedi, Vici, Viet Nam
Tactile The World HA NOI, North Viet Nam HO CHI MINH CITY, South Viet Nam PHNOM PENH, Cambodia March 14, 2010 When I embark on an adventure, I either have people rooting me on or persuading me not to go. The latter is afraid that because of my two disabilities, I’d get hurt, killed or kidnapped. The countries I choose to travel [...]
Mon, Mar 22 2010

Help!: AADB Needs You, DB Needs You
Tactile The World Appeal for Help: Need Your Story About Why the Deaf-Blind needs SSP Service! Dear Members of the Deaf-Blind Community, The American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB) needs your help to tell Congress, State Legislators, agencies, donors, foundations, and the general public how important to have SSP Services for the deaf-blind people. For those who [...]
Tue, Mar 16 2010

Dear AADB and the Americans…
Tactile The World Coco's Comments: Please read this letter from the American Association for the Deafblind on the topic of Congress funding a tool to independence for thousands of Deafblind Americans. And this tool is called a Support Servuce Provider. In Seattle, the Deafblind Service Center is manning a pilot SSP program and is training mentees from Austin and Minneapolis to [....
Tue, Mar 16 2010

411: Two Sisters Battle to Keep their Hearing, Sight
Tactile The World About.com on Deafness has posted a link to an article written featured in the San Antionio Express News and it's about two sisters in their 20s who are Deaf and diagnosed with Ushers. One has a cochlear implant, the other one doesn't. Both were raised in mainstream schools and had their lives in verbal-oral environment. [link] Coco's [...]
Sun, Mar 14 2010

Journal #9: A Khmer Welcome
Tactile The World PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA February 9, 2010 I’ve had dreams, very vivid ones, about an Asian country for several years. Something about Cambodia in its history, people, culture, books, media and location made its way in my night sleep; and in signs of fate in my daily life. Take for instance, in May of 2009 I had ultimately [...]
Mon, Mar 01 2010

Update from Cambodia
Tactile The World Greetings, my lovely friends, family and avid readers - It is sizzling hot in this part of the world and I cannot explain in stranger words how I love it. My body adapts better to hot weather than in cold weather – many of you who know me so well can vouch for it. My teeth [...]
Mon, Mar 01 2010

Journal #5: The Ripple Effect
Tactile The World WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND January 13, 2010 In Aotearoa, the island’s inhabitants – native, white or expatriates – are expected to respect the long-standing traditions of the Maori. After all, the Maori were the first settlers of the island peninsulas, and in order to keep that tradition alive and sacred, people of New Zealand abide by its philosophies, [...]
Sun, Feb 14 2010

#4: The Kiwi Country
Tactile The World January 6, 2010 There is a peninsula of land at latitude 42 and longtitude 17 in this big world. The Maoris call it Aotearoa. The white settlers of the British colony called it New Zealand. It has three major cities – Auckland, Wellington (the capital) and Christichurch. The first two are in the North Island, and [...]
Sat, Feb 13 2010

Resources: WFD’s Global Deaf Human Rights Report
Tactile The World This gem of a resource was shared with me very recently by a New Zealand Deaf advocate and I wanted to share it with my readers and fellow global advocates. The World Federation of the Deaf organization, located in Helsinki, is a global organization for the Deaf that advocates, promotes and enriches the human rights of [...]
Sun, Jan 10 2010

Pah!: Deafblind Sculptor does Art for New Zealand Deaf...
Tactile The World As you all know, I am currently in New Zealand now travelling from city to city. Today, I am visiting the capital city of NZ, the ever so windy Wellington on the southernmost tip of North Island. A new friend provided me with this very cool link about a Deafblind sculptor that created an extraordinarily beautiful [...]
Sun, Jan 10 2010

Journal #3: Castaway
Tactile The World Tactile The World Pacific-Asia Journal #3: Castaway THE FIJI ISLANDS December 24 – 29, 2009 The angel, Christine, sat on my right shoulder with her beautiful wings spread out and a smile that melted hearts and there was always an innocent gleam in her eyes. Christine often was the voice of reason, reminding the human Coco of faith, prayer [...]
Fri, Jan 08 2010

Pacific Asia Journal #1: How It All Began
Tactile The World Tactile The World Pacific-Asia 2010 1: How It All Began CORNWALL, ONTARIO, CANADA Fall of 2009 Snow was piling up inch by inch on the ground in front of my father’s house in Cornwall and the heat was cranked up to a whole another level. I was sweating in my fleece pyjamas, but as soon as I would set out [...]
Mon, Jan 04 2010

#2: Expect The Unexpected
Tactile The World 2: Expect The Unexpected LOS ANGELES December 16 – 22 Whenever I’d fly out to any American city, I would cross the border from Ontario, Canada to Burlington, Vermont and fly out. It was so much cheaper – by hundreds of dollars – to fly out domestically than internationally. But of course, there was an even better reason [...]
Mon, Jan 04 2010

Tactile The World: Pacific-Asia 2010
Tactile The World Guess what, folks? Coco's on to her next awesome adventure. Shhe has chosen countries in the Pacific and Asia for the spring, and she needs your help! Copy this link and send it to friends & family – the more people know about this out-of-this-world trip by a Deafblind woman, the more help is on [...]
Fri, Nov 13 2009

Pah!: Barbara Walters’ Most Memorable Interview – a...
Tactile The World Barbara Walters has done thousands of interviews in her career as a journalist, and we could only fathom she'd have a great hard time picking several interviews which she thinks is most memorable. To my pleasure, here is the link to one of Ms. Walters' choices for most memorable interview  – Mr. Bob and Mrs. Michelle [...]
Fri, Nov 06 2009

Survey: Making Transportation for the Deafblind More...
Tactile The World Jason Corning, an enthusastic Deafblind 23 year old fellow is the latest trailblazer in the Deafblind community in America to test the limitations and failures of the transportation system. Corning, an alumnus from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a BBA in IT, joined a group of Deafblind people, mostly students from the Helen Keller National Center to [...]
Sat, Oct 31 2009

Pah!: Helen Keller Immortalized at Capitol Hill
Tactile The World Without argument, Ms. Helen Keller, from Alabama, is the world's most famous Deafblind person. She has impacted so many people, with her writings, lectures and abilities. Now she is forever remembered by Americans and the government with a statue in the Capitol Rotunda. The statue is of Keller as a young girl standing by the [...]
Sat, Oct 31 2009

News: Deaf & Blind Advocates Oppose Actress for Helen...
Tactile The World Anne Lu – Celebrity News Service News Writer ,,New York, NY (CNS) – The casting of child actor Abigail Breslin in the lead role for the Broadway revival “The Miracle Worker” is upsetting several blind and deaf advocacy groups, who said a deaf actress, and not a hearing one, should take Helen Keller's role. On Wednesday, producers [...]
Fri, Oct 30 2009

Pah!: First Deafblind American to Graduate from Law School
Tactile The World Read the story of a Deafblind American woman from Glendale, Deborah Groeber and her successful journey through law school. [link]
Fri, Oct 30 2009