THE TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
This is being sent out today because we all have an exciting weekend coming up. Have a great and safe memorial day weekend.
The top story this week is a case being heard in San Francisco; State of Arizona vs. Harkins Amusement Enterprises Inc. that will have wide reaching impacts. It could slam the entire entertainment sector with the requirements that all theaters must be accessible to hearing and visual impaired patrons using additional special equipment for captioning, listening aids, and descriptive aids.
Our ebay store has some of the equipment for public entertainment centers that could prevent lawsuits like this.
Secondly we have started the Orange Deafie Newswirer a weekly listing of recent news items pertaining to hearing loss and the community. This is the lite version of the newsletter which brings the news to our readers.
Brought to you by the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
Http://www.deafadvocacy.org
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DO YOUR SHOPPING AT OUR WEBSTORE.
We have lots of new items and our webstore count stands at over 800 items. We
have fresh donations. We hope to have over 900 items by the end of this season!
Lots of products for the deaf, and blind, and other disabilities. Remember your
parents, grand parents, brothers, sisters, family members, co-workers who need
adaptive equipment. Employers can shop here for equipment and accessories for
their hearing impaired workers.
Buy Here, Buy Now, Pay Less with our ADA kits! This includes long term savings
associated with ADA compliance.
Stop by http://stores.ebay.com/OCDAC-Adaptive-Equipment-and-More today to start
your shopping.
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THE GRAPEVINES
Sorenson VRS Debt is what fueled their misleading campaigns in the recent weeks.
They're basically asking for a bailout to pay off the loans used to pay their
investors dividends.
Read about it at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7020492013
Brought to you by The Orange Deafie Blog
Http://www.deafadvocacy.org/blog/blog.html
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FACE TO FACE TIMES
Research through Modern Deaf Communications show that deaf people with TTY's
have more jobs than people with videophones. See the research at the Modern
Deaf Communication website.
Brought to you by Modern Deaf Communication
http://www.moderndeafcommunication.org
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MAXED OUT ON YOUR CREDIT CARDS?
Get yourself an OCDAC credit card through a special program at
http://www.cardpartner.com/enduser.aspx?AEID=D0974
We get a $50 donation for each person who completes the signup, and uses the
card.
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THE FINGER BOWS
Los Angeles Department on Disability has the annual DEAFestival in Van Nuys on
September 25, 2010. See the flyer at
http://ens.lacity.org/dod/indexpage/dodindexpage169466207_05042010.pdf for more
information.
Brought to you by ASL News http://www.aslnews.com
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Take a look and bookmark our new search page!
Http://www.deafadvocacy.org/search.html . It's a good source of information you
can use.
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THE SOUR ORCHIDS
Has the deaf blogging and vlogging websites helped or hurt the deaf community?
You be the judge after seeing the 5 posting on these types of sites.
http://www.deafread.com/go/73359
http://www.deafread.com/go/73353
http://www.deafvideo.tv/75013
http://aslrocks.net/?p=3929
http://jdeaf.com/archives/1565
Brought to you by the other Orange Deafie Blog at http://ocdac.wordpress.com/
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COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37/ - and the Orange County Deaf & Hearing
Impaired Meetup Group http://deaf.meetup.com/38/ meets each 3rd Fridays of the
month.
We are currently pondering a new locations for all of our meetup events because
our competition appears to have hijacked the excitement, prestige, and normalcy
of our cherished monthly gatherings.
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FROM THE BLOGSPHERE
Support Ca bill AB2072 to inform parents of ALL options for deaf and hard of
hearing babies
http://www.examiner.com/x-4959-Special-Education-Examiner~y2010m4d20-Support-Ca-\
bill-AB2072-to-inform-parents-of-ALL-options-for-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-babies
Brought to you by the Hearing For Life Foundation Http://www.hear-for-life.org
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DO YOU HAVE TINNITUS? ARE YOUR EARS RINGING ALOUD BY ITSELF? DO YOU WANT THAT
TO STOP?
Tinnitus affects people with or without hearing loss.
Tinnitus is the ringing sensation that occurs in the ears. Severe tinnitus can
be painful and disable a person. Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center has two
people serving in a patient advocacy council. Orange County Deaf Advocacy
Center wants to help people retain their productivity by helping them manage
tinnitus.
We are introducing a nutraceutical cocktail of Ginkgo Biloba, Zinc, and Garlic
to manage tinnitus (ringing) in the ears. New studies show that a combination
of these three working together helps manage tinnitus. We have the research
that suggest the cocktail helps manage tinnitus.
This cocktail doesn't create the flush reaction you get from using high dosage
of Niacin taken to manage tinnitus.
Tinnitus management kit contains Ginkgo Biloba, Zinc, Garlic, pill minders box,
carrying case, and 2 sets of ear plugs.
Kit is assembled by people with disabilities.
If you care about your ears, please shop through our PayPal link below now
Tinnitus 2 month management kit $79.99 - Free Shipping On All Orders!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8502596
Refills each month $29.99 (Link will be mailed to you with your order)
The funds generated from this offering will be returned to the community in the
form of assisted housing, education, advocacy, free equipment, outreach, and
conference activities.
***These Statements have not been evaluated by the US FDA. This product is not
intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. There is no guarantee this
will help you manage tinnitus. This may work on some people and this may not
work on some people too.
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FROM THE VLOGSPHERE (VIDEO BLOGGING)
Successful Senate Hearing on ADA & Technology: Markey says Industry Exaggerates
Costs of Accessibility. See the captioned video of the hearing.
Advance the video to 18 minutes and 45 seconds to see and/or hear the actual
start of the hearing.
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Hearings&ContentRecord_id=4c38a45b\
-a9f2-4458-a4d3-cb22c48714fd&ContentType_id=14f995b9-dfa5-407a-9d35-56cc7152a7ed\
&Group_id=b06c39af-e033-4cba-9221-de668ca1978a&MonthDisplay=5&YearDisplay=2010
Brought to you by the Eye Fire Vlogs Http://eyefirevlogs.com
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Please donate to Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. We have a lot of work to
do on behalf of people with hearing and speech impairments and we have a
donation form ready for your use.
Donation form :
http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&\
partner=networkforgood&ein=33-0806007
Thank you very much for the time you've taken to read this newsletter and
clicking on the donation link above.
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FROM THE NEWSLETTER READERS
Really enjoyed the movie done in BSL mentioned in the newsletter. Sort of
reminded when I was in Egypt and was attempting to communicate with deaf
Egyptians.
Looking forward to more of these movies. Thanks for mentioning it.
Tom Orr
===============
I went to see my doc yesterday and she asked me if I got my guide dog. in which
I told her not yet but I feel closer to getting one. When I told her a few
years ago that I am thinking of a guide dog. she thinks its a great idea and the
dog could help me as well. With Rex's help I should find a pre breed husky. I
haven'temailed the breeder yet. Just want to get some things out of the way
first. I hope that my brother who is a shop manager in NC could set up a
donationbox at his shop where they could raise money. He will ask if it is
possible they can work with me. But he wants to know how much it is gonna cost
and so forth.. I have been taking care of Jamba which I call it a warm up with
what I will soon expect. So as soon as things short out I will be happy to have
a dog. I hope I can train it to use the rest room in one spot so it is easier
to look rather than all over the field.. I have never took France for a walk
with the harness on. I have with Jamba and it kinda feels like riding on the
horse. Sometimes I trip over the step even if I don't tap my stick on the
ground. I know with the dog if I feel the dog went down i would watch my step.
I read the article about a couple who were booted from a restaurant because she
had a guide dog. The manager didn't know first hand about the ADA laws. He
does not but I think he should have learn this before he became a manager. If
someone were to tell me to leave cuz of my dog, I would be confused and will try
to get on top of what is going on. We don't have a problem here in CA as far as
I know about guide dogs when Rex and I go somewhere. The only one I am aware of
is how the driver from food for less mistreated France. They no longer have
that ride program.. At least we could borrow their carts, but I have my own
cart to begin with. I remember when I lived in HB I always made an effort to
return the cart.
Sharky
Brought to you by Deaf Paradise Http://deafparadise.ning.com/
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**** DISCLAIMER ****
**********************
The OCDAC Newsletter is designed to share information of interest to people with
disabilities, their friends, associates, and relatives and promote advocacy in
the disability community. Information circulated herein does not necessarily
express the views of The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. The OCDAC
Newsletter is non-partisan. OCDAC Newsletter does not sell advertising space.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is a community based organization that
puts people with disabilities first in their advocacy for equal opportunities in
safety, health, and productive living.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center provides services for disabled
individuals and their families in our community who need help in navigating the
social services maze. Every day people go without proper food, shelter, and
essential medical care every day due to a variety of factors including low
wages, job loss, injuries, illness, age, domestic violence, or divorce. While
all of us are susceptible to hard times, disabled individuals are at the most
risk. With the generous support of people like you, we are able to help many of
these families and individuals not only to meet essential daily needs, but to
work toward a brighter future with programs in job training, education,
counseling, elderly assistance, and temporary housing.
Feel free to forward this email message IN ITS ENTIRETY to anyone and any of
your personal mailing lists so we can get the important messages out far and
wide and encourage them to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
School Helps Children Open Their Ears
School Helps Children Open Their Ears
THIS STORY HAS A VIDEO CLICK HERE TO SEE IT
Memphis, Tn - Just days away from her pre-school graduation Autumn Hankins is beside herself with excitement. She's on the verge of tears, "Momma's gonna cry too." Happy tears as Autumn calls them.
The Hankins have been on an emotional journey. Doctor's say the newborn suffered profound hearing loss at birth. "She failed the hearing screening in the hospital three times," says her mom, Crystal. She goes on to say, "I caught the flu while I was actually in labor with her. That is the medical reason they have as to why she is hearing impaired."
The diagnosis was overwhelming and intimidating. Autumn spent the first six months of her life undergoing tests while the family adapted.
"We did take some sign language classes because originally that's how we did start language with her. She was a little bitty baby doing baby signs, so that's how she would communicate with her," says Crystal.
Doctors worked hard to help her hear. The first attempt was hearing aids, but the devices didn't make much of a difference. Surgery at LeBonheur Children's Hospital would prove to give her the sound she never had. She received her first cochlear implants when she was a year old.
From there, the family was referred to the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, a place that prides itself on empowering deaf children to listen, learn and talk.
Executive Director Teresa Schwartz explains the technology, "The cochlear device consists of two main components, a sound processor and transmitter worn around the ear, and a receiver implanted underneath the skin with cords attached to nerves in the inner ear. A magnet connects the external components with the implant. The receiver sends currents to the ear, creating a sense of sound."
Autumn has perhaps the best explanation, "Like you have them in now, when you take them off, what's the difference? Like I can't hear, watch. So when I'm talking now, you can't hear what I'm saying? What?"
Autumn says she takes "her ears", as mom and dad call them, off at bath time and bedtime. E
Early on, autumn wondered why. Crystal explains, "She wants to know why she has cochlear implants and everybody else doesn't. That's probably more of her bigger question, so we just explain to her, God made you special."
Schwartz says one in every three hundred and thirty three children are born with some level of hearing loss. Recent studies show kids who have the implants before they are two, learn faster and better. This Germantown based school helps with both of those, developing listening skills and language skills so they can communicate without having to rely on sign language.
Before graduating, every student here will be able to talk. To make that a reality, every day, each student has 30 minutes of speech therapy, and 30 minutes of aural habilitation, which is listening therapy. For autumn, it's made a world of difference in the 4 years she's been in the program.
Her mom is overjoyed, "They've changed her life in the sense that now she can just move on, and go to a public school, and not be in a special education program."
Not only is she talking, she also plays the violin. Her success story is more than the Hankins family ever imagined. Now she's days away from completing the program at the oral school.
A milestone that's miraculous, in a way. Getting to graduation has been a long road, and now it's bittersweet for this 6 year old, bubbling over with personality.
on Friday, after 4 years of highs and lows, Autumn will end one chapter in her life, and begin anew, never forgetting the school that helped her hear, talk, and develop in ways her mother never imagined.
THIS STORY HAS A VIDEO CLICK HERE TO SEE IT
Memphis, Tn - Just days away from her pre-school graduation Autumn Hankins is beside herself with excitement. She's on the verge of tears, "Momma's gonna cry too." Happy tears as Autumn calls them.
The Hankins have been on an emotional journey. Doctor's say the newborn suffered profound hearing loss at birth. "She failed the hearing screening in the hospital three times," says her mom, Crystal. She goes on to say, "I caught the flu while I was actually in labor with her. That is the medical reason they have as to why she is hearing impaired."
The diagnosis was overwhelming and intimidating. Autumn spent the first six months of her life undergoing tests while the family adapted.
"We did take some sign language classes because originally that's how we did start language with her. She was a little bitty baby doing baby signs, so that's how she would communicate with her," says Crystal.
Doctors worked hard to help her hear. The first attempt was hearing aids, but the devices didn't make much of a difference. Surgery at LeBonheur Children's Hospital would prove to give her the sound she never had. She received her first cochlear implants when she was a year old.
From there, the family was referred to the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, a place that prides itself on empowering deaf children to listen, learn and talk.
Executive Director Teresa Schwartz explains the technology, "The cochlear device consists of two main components, a sound processor and transmitter worn around the ear, and a receiver implanted underneath the skin with cords attached to nerves in the inner ear. A magnet connects the external components with the implant. The receiver sends currents to the ear, creating a sense of sound."
Autumn has perhaps the best explanation, "Like you have them in now, when you take them off, what's the difference? Like I can't hear, watch. So when I'm talking now, you can't hear what I'm saying? What?"
Autumn says she takes "her ears", as mom and dad call them, off at bath time and bedtime. E
Early on, autumn wondered why. Crystal explains, "She wants to know why she has cochlear implants and everybody else doesn't. That's probably more of her bigger question, so we just explain to her, God made you special."
Schwartz says one in every three hundred and thirty three children are born with some level of hearing loss. Recent studies show kids who have the implants before they are two, learn faster and better. This Germantown based school helps with both of those, developing listening skills and language skills so they can communicate without having to rely on sign language.
Before graduating, every student here will be able to talk. To make that a reality, every day, each student has 30 minutes of speech therapy, and 30 minutes of aural habilitation, which is listening therapy. For autumn, it's made a world of difference in the 4 years she's been in the program.
Her mom is overjoyed, "They've changed her life in the sense that now she can just move on, and go to a public school, and not be in a special education program."
Not only is she talking, she also plays the violin. Her success story is more than the Hankins family ever imagined. Now she's days away from completing the program at the oral school.
A milestone that's miraculous, in a way. Getting to graduation has been a long road, and now it's bittersweet for this 6 year old, bubbling over with personality.
on Friday, after 4 years of highs and lows, Autumn will end one chapter in her life, and begin anew, never forgetting the school that helped her hear, talk, and develop in ways her mother never imagined.
Student with Cochlear Implant Overcomes Challenges
Student with Cochlear Implant Overcomes Challenges
THIS STORY HAS A VIDEO CLICK HERE TO SEE IT
DALLAS - Chirping birds is a sound that Michael Noble doesn't take for granted. Michael was born deaf and at the age of two became the first child in north Texas to have cochlear implant surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
"Well I think it's really a true blessing to be one of the first people and really thankful that my parents took that risk," Michael said.
Risky because the procedure had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration only two weeks before. Michael went through years of intense speech therapy and decided in the 7th grade he wanted to go Southern Methodist University where he breezed through in just three years and graduated last weekend.
Michael credits his family, doctors, therapists and the cochlear implant for his success.
"I know that if I didn't have the implant I wouldn't be where I am today and I'm really glad that I have it because I really enjoy listening to music and talking on the phone and just being in the mainstream," Michael said.
Recent studies show that kids who have implants before they're two learn faster and better.
UT Southwestern assistant professor Dr. Walter Kutz implants about four kids a month. He said the plasticity of a childs brain is key.
"The earlier a child can get an implant the better they are going to do," Dr. Kutz said.
And Michael is living proof. His success is more than his parents could have imagined.
"To us, even if he was able to just hear environmental sounds was the best that was going to happen with the implant, we thought well--that's got to make his life safer and better," Kerry said.
Cochlear implant critics say children born with hearing loss should embrace their lifestyle and learn sign language. Michael is hearing none of that.
"I really don't understand why there is so much controversy," Michael said. "The way I see it -- if you're born with ears, you were meant to hear."
THIS STORY HAS A VIDEO CLICK HERE TO SEE IT
DALLAS - Chirping birds is a sound that Michael Noble doesn't take for granted. Michael was born deaf and at the age of two became the first child in north Texas to have cochlear implant surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
"Well I think it's really a true blessing to be one of the first people and really thankful that my parents took that risk," Michael said.
Risky because the procedure had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration only two weeks before. Michael went through years of intense speech therapy and decided in the 7th grade he wanted to go Southern Methodist University where he breezed through in just three years and graduated last weekend.
Michael credits his family, doctors, therapists and the cochlear implant for his success.
"I know that if I didn't have the implant I wouldn't be where I am today and I'm really glad that I have it because I really enjoy listening to music and talking on the phone and just being in the mainstream," Michael said.
Recent studies show that kids who have implants before they're two learn faster and better.
UT Southwestern assistant professor Dr. Walter Kutz implants about four kids a month. He said the plasticity of a childs brain is key.
"The earlier a child can get an implant the better they are going to do," Dr. Kutz said.
And Michael is living proof. His success is more than his parents could have imagined.
"To us, even if he was able to just hear environmental sounds was the best that was going to happen with the implant, we thought well--that's got to make his life safer and better," Kerry said.
Cochlear implant critics say children born with hearing loss should embrace their lifestyle and learn sign language. Michael is hearing none of that.
"I really don't understand why there is so much controversy," Michael said. "The way I see it -- if you're born with ears, you were meant to hear."
Hearing loss: not just affecting seniors anymore
Hearing loss: not just affecting seniors anymore
More than 10 million people in America use hearing aids, and that number is growing every day. Even more surprising is that approximately 20 percent of these people are younger than 50.
Long considered a dilemma only for senior citizens, hearing loss is becoming more and more common, particularly in young adults. This may be due in large part to the onslaught of noisy products and situations brought on by modern day life. The constant barrage of decibels we encounter in today's busy landscape, from street noise to mp3 players, is taking a toll on our hearing at a younger age.
While some children use hearing aids to correct childhood or life-long health issues, many of the hearing problems audiologists are seeing today are largely preventable. Do you fit the profile for someone susceptible to early hearing loss?
Urbanites - People who live or work in urban areas are far more likely to be exposed to high-decibel sounds on a regular basis. Studies have found that anything over 85 decibels can permanently damage hearing. A functioning jackhammer can produce up to 115 decibels of sound while a car horn can produce up to 110 decibels, putting those living near these nuisances at increased risk.
Music fans - Adults as young as 20 are being treated for non-illness related hearing loss, much of which audiologists attribute to increased headphone use and loud concerts. The powerful speakers and mp3 players on the market today can produce up to 150 decibels of sound, enough to permanently damage delicate ear tissues. Take caution when using ear bud headphones and be sure to wear earplugs if you plan to be exposed to loud music for an extended period of time.
SCUBA divers - This "extreme" sport, growing rapidly in popularity among people of all ages, is responsible for some occurrences of torn or ruptured ear canals in adults. The pressure build-up experienced during a dive can easily wreak havoc on fragile ear muscles and membranes, causing irreparable damage. This damage frequently results in hearing loss, so be sure to use correct pressure-relieving methods and specially designed SCUBA earplugs when diving.
Medication - Certain medications, including some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, have been linked to increased risk of hearing loss. As children are particularly vulnerable to diseases requiring treatment using these types of medications, they are more prone to these ototoxic reactions. Be sure to speak to your doctor about what side effects the medicines you or your children are taking may potentially have, as this is a rare but preventable cause of premature hearing loss.
Despite the statistics, some people find it hard to believe that children as young as 5 years of age may need a hearing device or hearing-related surgery. While there are several different options for the hearing impaired, including cochlear implants or hearing therapy, many find relief through the use of hearing aid. Digital technology advancements in the past decades have made hearing aids far more reliable and undetectable than ever before, and many people find that their health insurance covers some or all of the cost. If you or your child is showing symptoms of early hearing loss, speak with an audiologist immediately to determine what steps you can take now to minimize the dangers.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
More than 10 million people in America use hearing aids, and that number is growing every day. Even more surprising is that approximately 20 percent of these people are younger than 50.
Long considered a dilemma only for senior citizens, hearing loss is becoming more and more common, particularly in young adults. This may be due in large part to the onslaught of noisy products and situations brought on by modern day life. The constant barrage of decibels we encounter in today's busy landscape, from street noise to mp3 players, is taking a toll on our hearing at a younger age.
While some children use hearing aids to correct childhood or life-long health issues, many of the hearing problems audiologists are seeing today are largely preventable. Do you fit the profile for someone susceptible to early hearing loss?
Urbanites - People who live or work in urban areas are far more likely to be exposed to high-decibel sounds on a regular basis. Studies have found that anything over 85 decibels can permanently damage hearing. A functioning jackhammer can produce up to 115 decibels of sound while a car horn can produce up to 110 decibels, putting those living near these nuisances at increased risk.
Music fans - Adults as young as 20 are being treated for non-illness related hearing loss, much of which audiologists attribute to increased headphone use and loud concerts. The powerful speakers and mp3 players on the market today can produce up to 150 decibels of sound, enough to permanently damage delicate ear tissues. Take caution when using ear bud headphones and be sure to wear earplugs if you plan to be exposed to loud music for an extended period of time.
SCUBA divers - This "extreme" sport, growing rapidly in popularity among people of all ages, is responsible for some occurrences of torn or ruptured ear canals in adults. The pressure build-up experienced during a dive can easily wreak havoc on fragile ear muscles and membranes, causing irreparable damage. This damage frequently results in hearing loss, so be sure to use correct pressure-relieving methods and specially designed SCUBA earplugs when diving.
Medication - Certain medications, including some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, have been linked to increased risk of hearing loss. As children are particularly vulnerable to diseases requiring treatment using these types of medications, they are more prone to these ototoxic reactions. Be sure to speak to your doctor about what side effects the medicines you or your children are taking may potentially have, as this is a rare but preventable cause of premature hearing loss.
Despite the statistics, some people find it hard to believe that children as young as 5 years of age may need a hearing device or hearing-related surgery. While there are several different options for the hearing impaired, including cochlear implants or hearing therapy, many find relief through the use of hearing aid. Digital technology advancements in the past decades have made hearing aids far more reliable and undetectable than ever before, and many people find that their health insurance covers some or all of the cost. If you or your child is showing symptoms of early hearing loss, speak with an audiologist immediately to determine what steps you can take now to minimize the dangers.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Hearing-impaired Gillies driven by determination
Hearing-impaired Gillies driven by determination
It's not unusual to see Tyson Gillies tossing a football around with one of his Reading Phillies teammates before batting practice.
It's not a training technique for the Reading center fielder, but rather a reminder: Don't let anything stand in the way of your dreams.
Gillies faced adversity growing up with a severe hearing impairment. The other kids teased him so badly about his hearing aids that he grew embarrassed and frustrated and refused to wear them. Even flushed them down the toilet once.
It wasn't until eighth grade that his disability really stung him. He tried out for football at Valley View Secondary School, in Kamloops, British Columbia, and shined at quarterback during offseason workouts.
When it came time to put on the helmet and pads he found he found the headgear interfered with his hearing aids. He couldn't play with them, and he couldn't play quarterback without them.
His life changed that very moment.
"I've felt different all my life (because of my hearing disability)," said the 21-year-old Gillies, "but I've never had somebody take me away from something because of it.
"The toughest thing was someone was taking my hearing disability and telling me, 'You can't do that.' "
The prospect shook him.
"I thought, 'Whoa, maybe this is where it starts,' " Gillies said. " 'What's the next thing they're not going to let me do?' After that, I never let somebody tell me that I couldn't do something."
Gillies ended up being the placekicker on the team.
He eventually was OK with not being able to play quarterback. At 5-4, he knew he wasn't destined to play quarterback in the CFL, much less the NFL.
He was also too small to pursue his greatest love, hockey.
"I didn't see myself, with that body, having a very long career in hockey," he said. "I didn't think I'd be strong enough or big enough."
Gillies turned to baseball. The game quickly grew on him, and he grew into it. But it forced him into another stark realization: His chances to advance in the game were limited growing up in western Canada, where there are no high school baseball programs and the long winters shorten the outdoor season.
Kamloops, a city slightly larger than Reading, had no shortage of ice rinks but zero indoor hitting facilities.
Gillies left home at age 15 and moved 200 miles away to Vancouver in order to play play with the Langley Blaze, one of the premier club teams in Canada. He lived with a host family for two years.
"It definitely takes a sacrifice to come down here," said Blaze coach Doug Mathieson, a scout with the Minnesota Twins and the father of former Reading pitcher Scott Mathieson. "You sacrifice a lot of things that (high school) kids don't normally do (to play for us)."
Gillies' athleticism and desire caught Mathieson's eye at the tryout.
"He was full of enthusiasm, full of energy," Mathieson said. "He was raw as could be, but he had tremendous skills. He really wanted it badly."
After two seasons with the Blaze Gillies signed to play at Iowa Western junior college. The Seattle Mariners saw him there and selected him in the 25th round of the June 2006 amateur draft.
Gillies, who has grown to a strapping 6-2, 195 pounds, distinguished himself quickly in the Mariners organization. After batting .313 with short-season Everett of the Northwest League in 2008 he skipped a level and went right to high Class A High Desert last season.
He led the league with 44 stolen bases and batted .341, third-highest in all the minors. His 104 runs scored and .431 on-base percentage were both among the top five in all the minors.
He was part of the three-player package, along with Reading pitcher Phillippe Aumont and Clearwater pitcher J.C. Ramirez, the Philadelphia Phillies accepted for Cliff Lee in December.
The Phillies fell in love with the energy Gillies displays on a diamond, whether he's roaming center field or flying around the bases.
Charlie Manuel jokingly compared him to Pete Rose when he saw Gillies sprint around the bases after a spring training home run off Toronto's David Purcey.
"Even on a walk, I'll get to first base real quick," Gillies said. "It's just something that comes natural to me. It's routine for me. I don't even notice."
"He knows one speed," said Reading manager Steve Roadcap, "and that's 100 percent all the time."
"People say I'm hyper," Gillies said. "Everything I do, I want to give it 110 percent. That's the way I want everything to be done all the time. It's who I am, it's what I'm used to, and it's what I'm about."
One thing Gillies didn't do was start quickly with his new organization. He was batting just .185 in late April but turned it around with a recent surge that saw him go 20-for-51.
However, his first Double-A season was slowed again last week by a hamstring injury that sent him to the disabled list.
That will set him back only briefly. Then he'll be off and running again, undeterred by anything.
He refuses to let his disability - he was born with a 50 percent hearing loss in one ear, and 30 percent in the other - stand in his way.
Other than not being able to hear the crack of the ball off the bat while he's stationed in the outfield, he says his hearing loss doesn't affect his game. He makes no concessions to it.
"I want people to see how hard I work, to think about that and not about my hearing loss," he said. "There's always talk about a hearing-impaired athlete. I didn't want that. I want (people to say): 'Here's Tyson Gillies, he's working hard, he wants to get somewhere.'"
It's not unusual to see Tyson Gillies tossing a football around with one of his Reading Phillies teammates before batting practice.
It's not a training technique for the Reading center fielder, but rather a reminder: Don't let anything stand in the way of your dreams.
Gillies faced adversity growing up with a severe hearing impairment. The other kids teased him so badly about his hearing aids that he grew embarrassed and frustrated and refused to wear them. Even flushed them down the toilet once.
It wasn't until eighth grade that his disability really stung him. He tried out for football at Valley View Secondary School, in Kamloops, British Columbia, and shined at quarterback during offseason workouts.
When it came time to put on the helmet and pads he found he found the headgear interfered with his hearing aids. He couldn't play with them, and he couldn't play quarterback without them.
His life changed that very moment.
"I've felt different all my life (because of my hearing disability)," said the 21-year-old Gillies, "but I've never had somebody take me away from something because of it.
"The toughest thing was someone was taking my hearing disability and telling me, 'You can't do that.' "
The prospect shook him.
"I thought, 'Whoa, maybe this is where it starts,' " Gillies said. " 'What's the next thing they're not going to let me do?' After that, I never let somebody tell me that I couldn't do something."
Gillies ended up being the placekicker on the team.
He eventually was OK with not being able to play quarterback. At 5-4, he knew he wasn't destined to play quarterback in the CFL, much less the NFL.
He was also too small to pursue his greatest love, hockey.
"I didn't see myself, with that body, having a very long career in hockey," he said. "I didn't think I'd be strong enough or big enough."
Gillies turned to baseball. The game quickly grew on him, and he grew into it. But it forced him into another stark realization: His chances to advance in the game were limited growing up in western Canada, where there are no high school baseball programs and the long winters shorten the outdoor season.
Kamloops, a city slightly larger than Reading, had no shortage of ice rinks but zero indoor hitting facilities.
Gillies left home at age 15 and moved 200 miles away to Vancouver in order to play play with the Langley Blaze, one of the premier club teams in Canada. He lived with a host family for two years.
"It definitely takes a sacrifice to come down here," said Blaze coach Doug Mathieson, a scout with the Minnesota Twins and the father of former Reading pitcher Scott Mathieson. "You sacrifice a lot of things that (high school) kids don't normally do (to play for us)."
Gillies' athleticism and desire caught Mathieson's eye at the tryout.
"He was full of enthusiasm, full of energy," Mathieson said. "He was raw as could be, but he had tremendous skills. He really wanted it badly."
After two seasons with the Blaze Gillies signed to play at Iowa Western junior college. The Seattle Mariners saw him there and selected him in the 25th round of the June 2006 amateur draft.
Gillies, who has grown to a strapping 6-2, 195 pounds, distinguished himself quickly in the Mariners organization. After batting .313 with short-season Everett of the Northwest League in 2008 he skipped a level and went right to high Class A High Desert last season.
He led the league with 44 stolen bases and batted .341, third-highest in all the minors. His 104 runs scored and .431 on-base percentage were both among the top five in all the minors.
He was part of the three-player package, along with Reading pitcher Phillippe Aumont and Clearwater pitcher J.C. Ramirez, the Philadelphia Phillies accepted for Cliff Lee in December.
The Phillies fell in love with the energy Gillies displays on a diamond, whether he's roaming center field or flying around the bases.
Charlie Manuel jokingly compared him to Pete Rose when he saw Gillies sprint around the bases after a spring training home run off Toronto's David Purcey.
"Even on a walk, I'll get to first base real quick," Gillies said. "It's just something that comes natural to me. It's routine for me. I don't even notice."
"He knows one speed," said Reading manager Steve Roadcap, "and that's 100 percent all the time."
"People say I'm hyper," Gillies said. "Everything I do, I want to give it 110 percent. That's the way I want everything to be done all the time. It's who I am, it's what I'm used to, and it's what I'm about."
One thing Gillies didn't do was start quickly with his new organization. He was batting just .185 in late April but turned it around with a recent surge that saw him go 20-for-51.
However, his first Double-A season was slowed again last week by a hamstring injury that sent him to the disabled list.
That will set him back only briefly. Then he'll be off and running again, undeterred by anything.
He refuses to let his disability - he was born with a 50 percent hearing loss in one ear, and 30 percent in the other - stand in his way.
Other than not being able to hear the crack of the ball off the bat while he's stationed in the outfield, he says his hearing loss doesn't affect his game. He makes no concessions to it.
"I want people to see how hard I work, to think about that and not about my hearing loss," he said. "There's always talk about a hearing-impaired athlete. I didn't want that. I want (people to say): 'Here's Tyson Gillies, he's working hard, he wants to get somewhere.'"
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