00:00:00.450 - 00:00:04.410

All right. let us restart? Yes. All right.

00:00:04.410 - 00:00:14.220

So I think my first question was just telling me a little bit about yourself. So how did you get to LMU? Your name, pronouns [Okay] if you have any, if you use

00:00:14.220 - 00:00:17.340

any. And. Yeah. Okay.

00:00:17.340 - 00:00:27.900

Um, my name is Gabe. Um, I, my pronouns are he, him. Um, I'm a psych major and a first year at LMU, and, um, I guess I can go into the

00:00:27.900 - 00:00:35.490

story again. [Yeah.] Uh, how I got here. Uh, LMU was originally not even on my list. My mom suggested it to me.

00:00:36.360 - 00:00:44.460

Um, and then I went here for admin day. They're doing them right now, actually, which is-- [Oh, no way] Yeah. [That's good] So, uh, and I, like, fell in love, and I

00:00:44.460 - 00:00:50.100

was like, okay, I think I'm gonna go here. I got to step out of my comfort zone and go to LA. So. I love it.

00:00:50.100 - 00:00:54.030

And now you're here. Yes. That's awesome. Um, and let me see.

00:00:54.060 - 00:01:00.450

Do you have any hobbies or like, what are you interested in? Okay. I'm a huge video game player.

00:01:00.480 - 00:01:05.280

Okay. Um, I like that. I love hanging out with my friends. I like going to the beach.

00:01:05.280 - 00:01:12.330

That's my— It's really nice to go to the beach. I know, I love the beach. Um, let's see what else.

00:01:13.780 - 00:01:19.510

Uh, I like, like, just, like, slamming music and just driving. That's a lot of fun. So, yeah.

00:01:19.510 - 00:01:26.830

I love all of those things. I'm not a huge video gamer, but my brother is. What is your favorite video game? Oh, well, I have one.

00:01:26.830 - 00:01:33.070

Yes. I'm in like Gaming Club right now actually [Oh] for LMU. [Cool] And then we had like a-- the game I play is called Valorant.

00:01:33.070 - 00:01:36.550

Okay. V-A-L-O-R-A-N-T. Yep. Okay.

00:01:36.550 - 00:01:41.320

I've heard of it before. Yeah. Um, and yeah. So there's like a team on campus.

00:01:41.320 - 00:01:45.340

So I just play with them and it's a lot of fun, so. No way, that's awesome. And where do you meet?

00:01:45.340 - 00:01:53.950

How many days a week? Is it monthly? Uh, so, so we like, it's online. So, like-- [Okay] I use my computer and, like, I have

00:01:53.950 - 00:02:00.250

a monitor in my dorm, so I just [Got it] connect it to that and we just talk over this like, I don't know if you know what it's called. Discord.

00:02:00.250 - 00:02:03.820

Yep. Okay. That's what we use. [Oh, cool] Um, and we usually hang out.

00:02:03.820 - 00:02:09.370

Well, hang out like online, uh, three times per week. Oh. That's awesome. [Yeah] That's so cool.

00:02:09.370 - 00:02:14.620

I didn't even know we had that. [Yeah] That's so awesome. Well, I hope you're loving it. And that sounds really cool.

00:02:14.620 - 00:02:18.130

Yeah. All right. Okay. It was nice getting to know you a little bit.

00:02:18.130 - 00:02:29.880

Yeah. Now hopping in. The next question is, um, how would you describe yourself in relation to disability? Oh, okay.

00:02:29.910 - 00:02:32.580

Um. Like what? Like I have. Or is it—

00:02:32.580 - 00:02:35.970

like, what? [Yeah] Whatever you want to share. Yeah. Okay.

00:02:36.060 - 00:02:47.430

Um, so I am. I have bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Okay. Which means basically that I'm completely deaf on both sides.

00:02:47.430 - 00:02:55.290

Okay. But I use technology called called, um, cochlear implants. Okay. Um, which basically gives me the ability to hear.

00:02:55.290 - 00:03:00.510

It's just like computer generated hearing. Almost. Oh, wow. I know it's.

00:03:00.510 - 00:03:08.070

I don't know how to explain it, but like that's that. Um, and yeah, there's like a huge story behind that I can share also.

00:03:08.100 - 00:03:10.380

Yeah. If you want to. Yeah. I'd love to hear it.

00:03:10.380 - 00:03:18.300

Okay. So at first, like, my parents didn't know I was actually born like deaf, I, I used the term deaf or hard of hearing.

00:03:18.300 - 00:03:22.260

Okay. Um. Uh, yeah. At first they didn't know, because I passed the hearing

00:03:22.260 - 00:03:29.030

test somehow. And they think I-- okay, so I'm going to backtrack for one second. Yeah. Take your time. Okay.

00:03:29.210 - 00:03:37.000

Um, I have this genetic mutation-- I don't know what it's called [Okay] that basically-- Uh-- Uh--

00:03:37.330 - 00:03:45.010

What is it called? Oh my God. Uh, it's like these proteins that my hair, um, like, you know, there's ear hair, like, inside that, like moves

00:03:45.010 - 00:03:50.560

that makes hearing happen. Yes. Okay. My genes, like, allowed me not to make those.

00:03:50.560 - 00:03:56.470

I eventually lost hearing over time. Got it. And I was probably completely deaf by, like, one. Wow.

00:03:56.470 - 00:04:05.740

And it's really weird because my parents say, like on my first birthday, like they took a photo of me and I was pointing at my ear, like saying, like, I can't hear what people are saying.

00:04:05.740 - 00:04:15.520

Wow, at your first birthday? [Yeah] Wow. And then my parents realized was when there's like a fire truck walking by and I somehow like.

00:04:16.600 - 00:04:24.040

Got outside in my diaper and I was just like, holding on to, both my parents were screaming at me and I didn't turn around whatsoever. Okay.

00:04:24.310 - 00:04:29.260

So I think that's when they knew. And then they took me in. And then that's when they found out. Okay.

00:04:29.260 - 00:04:32.350

Wow. So you were very young? Yes. Wow.

00:04:32.350 - 00:04:38.500

And then I-- so basically I had to had surgery on both sides of my ear. Okay. [[inaudible]] cut my head open out.

00:04:38.500 - 00:04:43.480

I was like-- how exquisite. Wow. Yeah. Um, and then they had to put something in there.

00:04:43.780 - 00:04:53.590

Um, I don't know what it's called, but-- [No worries] Yeah. Uh, and then I had to recover from that. And then eventually they gave me my cochlear implant, which

00:04:53.590 - 00:05:00.100

is also basically basically like a hearing aid. Right. Okay. And then at like 27 months.

00:05:00.100 - 00:05:04.000

Oh, wow. Okay. Yeah. So the first procedure.

00:05:04.000 - 00:05:12.130

,Was when I was two, like 24 months. Okay. Okay. So you've had-- is it the same cochlear implants since [Yeah]

00:05:12.130 - 00:05:20.230

that procedure? It's the same thing, like. [Okay] But like, there's newer models that come out like over time [Okay] and like I get the new ones. Like this

00:05:20.230 - 00:05:24.640

newest model, I get Bluetooth. So it's like built in AirPods. Whoa. Yeah.

00:05:24.640 - 00:05:29.380

Oh, no way. I had no idea that was the thing. It's really cool. Wow.

00:05:29.380 - 00:05:35.470

And it connects to your phone [Yeah] and your devices? Yeah, I can make it connect to my devices, but mainly in my phone, so. Wow.

00:05:35.470 - 00:05:41.890

Oh, no way. Okay, okay. Okay, so a cochlear implant at the age of two. Yes.

00:05:41.890 - 00:05:47.230

Okay. And where, where is it located? Is it located behind your ears? Uh, yes.

00:05:47.230 - 00:05:51.070

It's located behind my ear. [Okay] Then I have like a magnet in my head. Okay.

00:05:51.070 - 00:05:57.390

Somehow. Like they put a magnet inside my head and then, like it connects somehow. I don't know [Okay] how exactly it works, but.

00:05:57.390 - 00:06:02.610

I mean, as long as you're happy with it, [Yeah] that's all that matters. Wow. Okay.

00:06:02.610 - 00:06:08.490

Wow, what a story. Okay, so it happened when you were very young. [Yes] Okay. Okay.

00:06:08.490 - 00:06:13.650

Interesting. Okay. So disability at LMU. [Mhm] How has--

00:06:13.650 - 00:06:19.740

are you a part of DSS [Disability Support Services]? Yes, I am. Okay. So am I. [Okay] Um, how has that been for you?

00:06:19.740 - 00:06:29.880

Because I know for some people it can be challenging. And, um, people struggle sometimes with accommodations and with professors. And I just want to know about your experience with that.

00:06:29.880 - 00:06:38.280

Um, so far, it's been, like, really good for me on [Okay] my part. Um, like, I can go into details, like what exactly accommodations I got.

00:06:38.280 - 00:06:41.340

Yeah, sure. If you're comfortable sharing. Oh yeah, I'm comfortable um. Okay.

00:06:42.030 - 00:06:53.110

So basically I have, like, extended time on tests. Um. [Okay] I have the option, like, for separate, um, setting. Like for testing if I want to like, take in

00:06:53.110 - 00:07:05.950

a quieter environment, I think. Um, I also have like these note-taking services called Otter.ai and it basically transcribes everything that is said in a classroom. [Oh, that's awesome] And I use that the most because like, I can't

00:07:05.950 - 00:07:14.650

catch what everybody says sometimes. [Right] So I just use that. Um. And then I also have like housing accommodations, but I

00:07:14.650 - 00:07:20.020

decided not to use them this upcoming year. Okay. Because there was a possibility. They said like, hey, like you won't be with your

00:07:20.020 - 00:07:25.750

roommate group. [Uh, oh] And I was like, I'd rather just be with my roommate group. But yeah.

00:07:25.750 - 00:07:31.510

Right. That makes sense. Okay, okay, so you're going to be living on campus [Yes] next year. And where are you hoping to live?

00:07:31.510 - 00:07:37.990

Oh uh, I already did my application. [Oh, okay] Uh, I'm in McCarthy [Hall]. Oh, awesome. And I somehow got the bluff view, so I'm really

00:07:37.990 - 00:07:41.230

happy. Oh. That's awesome. [Yeah] I mean-- Waking up every morning.

00:07:41.230 - 00:07:47.320

Million dollar view [Yeah] right there. [Exactly] Okay. That's awesome. Well, I'm glad to hear that your experience with DSS

00:07:47.320 - 00:07:56.080

has been okay. [Yeah] I also have extended time accommodations and man, they are so helpful. [Yeah] I really, I really, really, really enjoy that.

00:07:56.080 - 00:08:12.420

So in lecture, [Mhm] for-- okay so. Does it help when you can read people's lips? Like how does that work [Oh] with [Okay] like hearing and seeing? And like, [Yeah] what is your experience [Okay] with that?

00:08:12.630 - 00:08:21.000

I like during Covid when there was masks. Like that was a huge problem for me. Okay. Because I rely on reading people's lips. If I can't

00:08:21.000 - 00:08:31.260

hear them [Okay] because a lot of time I have like bad experiences where I'm like, oh, can you repeat that? Like with friends or like random people. [Right] And they get really frustrated and they say, never mind. [Oh]

00:08:31.380 - 00:08:39.120

And like, that's like the worst thing because they really want to know. It's just like, genuinely couldn't hear them. Uh, so yeah, the mask thing.

00:08:39.120 - 00:08:46.260

So I do prefer, I read lips. Okay. Um, I usually place myself in the front of the classroom so I can hear the teacher the best.

00:08:46.260 - 00:08:52.170

Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah, that's pretty much it. Wow. Covid must have been tough.

00:08:52.170 - 00:08:59.700

I'm so sorry, like I can't. Wow. Okay, so were you online? You were online [Oh] on Zoom [Yeah, I was online] [[crosstalk]] during-- in high school?

00:09:00.210 - 00:09:08.070

Okay. Um, even then, like, I know now they have Zoom and there's, like, captioning. [Yeah] They didn't have that when I was there.

00:09:08.070 - 00:09:13.920

And that was really frustrating for me as well. Okay. Yeah. I think it's also more difficult for me to understand,

00:09:13.920 - 00:09:21.000

um, like audio through, um, like computer-generated audio. Right. Okay. Yeah.

00:09:21.000 - 00:09:24.330

That makes sense. Wow. I can't believe they didn't have that feature. Yeah.

00:09:24.330 - 00:09:28.240

Wow. Yeah. Okay. Okay.

00:09:28.240 - 00:09:36.400

Well, we made it here. And thank goodness [Yeah] we're out of the Covid times. And like we [[crosstalk]] and we're lucky to have you here. So thank you for sharing.

00:09:36.760 - 00:09:48.370

Um okay so Covid before Covid in high school, did you have accommodations similar to the ones you have at DSS or-- [Yes] what was that like? I did, I [Okay] had a thing was called like an

00:09:48.370 - 00:09:53.410

IEP [Individualized Education Program] [Yes] 504 plan. Yes, I had a 504. Yeah. Um, yeah.

00:09:53.410 - 00:10:03.880

So I had that pretty much all the same accommodations. Okay. Like the only real difference was um. There's this one thing like, first I had. I took

00:10:03.880 - 00:10:12.190

Spanish in high school. [Okay] And there would be sometimes computer-generated, like Spanish, like audio that we had to listen to and then like, answer questions on, on test. [Oh yeah]

00:10:12.730 - 00:10:19.150

And I could not do that for the life of me. Right. I mean, it's so, that's the most challenging part of

00:10:19.150 - 00:10:26.890

Spanish. Yeah. So I like contacted my like um, oh my God. What's it-- like disability counselor. [Yeah]

00:10:27.040 - 00:10:36.130

I don't know what it's called but-- [Yeah] um, that's okay. Hey, like, I need something about this. And then they eventually allowed me like, oh, I get a written transcript of the like, the Spanish thing.

00:10:36.130 - 00:10:41.260

So it's like [Oh, that's nice] basically me reading it. And then I can answer off that. [Okay] And that was a lot easier for me. Okay.

00:10:41.260 - 00:10:45.670

Yeah. Okay. Wow. I'm, I'm getting flashbacks to my Spanish classes now.

00:10:45.670 - 00:10:50.560

And those tests are hard. Yeah, they are. Oh my goodness. All right.

00:10:50.560 - 00:10:56.920

Well, thank you for sharing. And now what is your family life like. Do you have any siblings? So you grew-- you said you're from the Bay.

00:10:56.920 - 00:11:01.660

Yes. Um, so I have a mom and a dad and [Okay] two younger brothers. Two younger brothers.

00:11:01.660 - 00:11:05.050

And they're fraternal twins. Oh, wow. Yeah. No way.

00:11:05.050 - 00:11:07.600

What's that like? Uh. It's interesting.

00:11:07.600 - 00:11:15.640

Um, it's an interesting dynamic. Like, I felt like I was. I always wish I had a twin because, like, they always had each other if they didn't have any friends.

00:11:15.640 - 00:11:20.860

Right. I didn't have that. Right. But it's very weird because, like, I used to be

00:11:20.860 - 00:11:25.690

closer with one, and now it's like the opposite twin I'm closer to now. Oh, interesting. Yeah.

00:11:25.690 - 00:11:28.540

Okay. And it's evolved over time. Okay. And how old are they?

00:11:28.540 - 00:11:31.450

Uh, they're 16 now. 16. Oh, wow. Okay.

00:11:31.450 - 00:11:38.350

I'm like, everybody's getting old. I know that's how I feel. I'm like, my brother is like 18 now [Yeah] about to graduate high school.

00:11:38.350 - 00:11:45.280

And I'm like, wait, what happened? [Yeah] Okay, so 16, twin brothers. Yes. Okay.

00:11:45.280 - 00:11:50.860

And do you have any animals in your house? Yes, I have a dog and a cat. Okay. Dog and

00:11:50.860 - 00:11:56.350

a cat. Uh, my dog's name is Rex. And then, [Cute] the cat's name is Cricket. Wait.

00:11:56.350 - 00:12:01.840

No way. Why is that? Um, actually, it's. It's a really sad story.

00:12:01.840 - 00:12:08.920

Oh, no. Um, so my dad had a cat named Cricket. Okay. And, um, basically, it was, like, on top of a

00:12:08.920 - 00:12:18.430

garage, and then, like, it jumped off and broke all of his legs, so they had to put him down. So, like, we named our cat that in memory of him, I think.

00:12:18.430 - 00:12:27.280

Wait, that is so sad [Yeah] but also so sweet that now another cat gets to [Yeah] carry on its legacy. Exactly. Oh, okay, wait.

00:12:27.430 - 00:12:34.480

But also, I love the name Rex, by the way. That's so cute. What kind of dog? Like, we actually did, like, a DNA test on him.

00:12:34.780 - 00:12:40.630

No way. Yes. Um, I don't know entirely. I think it's Rat-Terrier-Chihuahua.

00:12:40.780 - 00:12:45.520

Oh, wow. Oh, my God. Like, I think we're part Jack Russel/Beagle. Okay.

00:12:45.580 - 00:12:50.290

He's a huge mix. Wait, so cute though. Yeah, he's a really cute dog. Oh, I love that.

00:12:50.320 - 00:13:00.970

Okay. And now how-- what is family like-- life with your cochlear implants and with siblings, especially when your brothers were younger and growing up,

00:13:00.970 - 00:13:12.430

how did they learn to, you know, help you [Yeah] so that you were able to, you know, feel safe and, you know [Mhm, yeah] in your own home? Um, oh my God.

00:13:12.430 - 00:13:18.520

That's like that's like a really deep question [Yeah] I never really thought about like that. Take your time. And if you don't want to answer. [Oh no, I--]

00:13:18.520 - 00:13:21.580

No worries. I-- I'm hoping to answer. Okay, great.

00:13:22.360 - 00:13:31.060

Um. Oh my God. Uh-- I would say growing up, like, I think they just sort of like grew into it.

00:13:31.060 - 00:13:36.310

So my brothers were really used to and they're like, Oh yeah, he can't hear it when he doesn't have his cochlear implants on. Right.

00:13:36.310 - 00:13:43.600

Because I don't—they have to charge every night. [Okay] So I don't hear at night. But but whatsoever. [Okay] So that's the thing.

00:13:43.780 - 00:14:04.480

Um, and-- [[Content redacted at narrator's request]] Guess I am now. Oh my gosh, siblings. [Yeah] Siblings!

00:14:04.480 - 00:14:09.520

I know, but I have a really good, uh, relationship with both of them. Okay. Uh, they're really accommodating.

00:14:09.520 - 00:14:13.090

Like, if I say, like, I, I can't hear you, what they say. Can you tell me? And they're like, yeah, I got you.

00:14:13.270 - 00:14:25.030

Um, also, my parents, like, they really stepped up for me, like, through everything they like. I also had this thing called, um. Oh, my God, is a proxy of speech. [Okay]

00:14:25.030 - 00:14:37.060

So sometimes, like, my brain doesn't tell me what to say, and I blurt out something else instead. [Mm, okay] So I had to have, um, speech therapy for that as well. [Got it]

00:14:37.060 - 00:14:46.510

So they drive me every day, like, almost every day to, like, speech therapy. And I remember at the time I was, like, annoyed. And I didn't want to do it, but I realized now

00:14:46.510 - 00:14:51.010

it's all for the better. So I'm really glad that they did that for me. Oh that's awesome.

00:14:51.010 - 00:14:55.570

Your family sounds great. [Yeah] Oh, that's really awesome. Okay, okay. Um.

00:14:55.570 - 00:15:01.810

Let's see. And now, what is it like with your extended family? Do you live near them? Are you close with them?

00:15:01.810 - 00:15:14.410

How or what is your relationship with or like with them in relation to your disability? Okay. Um, I'm closer to my dad's side. [Okay] And I actually

00:15:14.410 - 00:15:19.180

have family here. Extended family here, like an hour away. Okay. I actually went to go see them this weekend.

00:15:19.270 - 00:15:21.280

Oh. That's awesome. That's awesome. Yeah.

00:15:21.670 - 00:15:30.490

Um, they're really accommodating. Like, they know about everything and, like, the thing is, I would always see them, like, at least like four times a year.

00:15:30.490 - 00:15:35.320

So, like, they kind of knew what I was like. Like what I needed. Right. And they're like, really nice.

00:15:35.320 - 00:15:41.050

Like, if I ask them to repeat something they kind of know, like, oh, it's because of his hearing loss like that. So. Okay.

00:15:41.050 - 00:15:44.560

That's awesome. Yeah. And now I do have a question about your cochlear implant.

00:15:44.560 - 00:15:50.020

So what is it. Are they waterproof? Like how does that work. Do you have to take them out when you go

00:15:50.020 - 00:15:57.760

to the beach? [Oh, okay] Because I know you said you like going to the beach and when you're showering or doing your hair. When I'm showering, I just take them off completely.

00:15:57.760 - 00:16:08.020

Okay. Uh, like for the pool and then sometimes the beach. Um, I do like, there's, like, this aqua case. That's what [Okay] it's like a protection thing you put over it.

00:16:08.020 - 00:16:12.460

Got it. It's like a plastic. It's really thick plastic [Okay] thing.

00:16:13.030 - 00:16:18.970

Um, there's actually a funny story with that. I did once lose my cochlear implant in the ocean. No. Yeah.

00:16:18.970 - 00:16:26.390

Wait. Yeah. So we had to get a new one. [[gasps]] Oh, no, wait, that is terrible. [Yeah]

00:16:26.390 - 00:16:31.910

It just floated away? Got carried away? Yeah. Oh, I just, like, jumped somewhere and I fell and the water swept and took it. [Oh!.]

00:16:33.060 - 00:16:39.360

And then I was like, I felt so bad, but like it was, I was like. And so I had to use one like for a week until the other one came.

00:16:39.360 - 00:16:45.300

No. And so what is that like only using one instead of the or like-- [Uh, okay] Yeah.

00:16:45.300 - 00:16:51.510

What's that like? So for me, like I have a favorite side. I don't know if that actually makes sense. [Oh!]

00:16:51.510 - 00:16:56.220

So like one side is more comfortable to me than [Okay] the other. And for me it's the right side. Okay.

00:16:56.220 - 00:17:04.350

So like if I get tired because also like with this it's like I have auditory like I don't know what it's called though, like exhaustion. Okay.

00:17:04.350 - 00:17:12.210

Like for me hearing doesn't come naturally. I have to actually like try to listen. Like for example, like I have to really listen to you to try to understand, um.

00:17:13.010 - 00:17:17.810

So yeah, I take one off. Like usually if I'm tired and leave the right side on. Okay.

00:17:18.200 - 00:17:22.740

Um. Wait, what was your question again? I'm sorry. Um, wait.

00:17:23.910 - 00:17:31.110

Oh, I think I just asked what it's like to hear with one and in not the other or-- And not the other. Okay. Yeah. [All right]

00:17:31.110 - 00:17:36.420

When you lost yours [Oh, yes] in the ocean. Okay. Well, yeah. So basically, if I can't, if I take one off,

00:17:36.420 - 00:17:40.450

I can only hear from this side. Okay. And-- If I--

00:17:40.450 - 00:17:45.010

Yeah. It's like vice versa. Like, if I take one side off, I can't hear from that side. [Okay]

00:17:45.100 - 00:17:48.610

If it's the other, I can hear from that. So. Okay. Got it, got it.

00:17:48.610 - 00:17:52.420

Well, thank you for sharing. And I can't believe the ocean got it. Yeah.

00:17:52.420 - 00:18:01.780

Does insurance cover that or what is that like? Are they like molded like-- what is that process like? Are they like specific to your ears? Like--

00:18:01.780 - 00:18:08.140

Like what do you-- Like, is everyone's different [Oh] like or? No. I think all of them are the same like

00:18:08.230 - 00:18:13.180

certain sizes. Okay, sizes. Got it. Yeah. I know there's like a small, medium, large type

00:18:13.180 - 00:18:17.020

of thing. Okay. Um, for, like, insurance. I have no idea.

00:18:17.020 - 00:18:20.230

My parents cover all of it. Okay. So. Okay.

00:18:20.560 - 00:18:22.690

So. Yeah. Okay. Well, I'm glad to hear that.

00:18:22.690 - 00:18:33.940

And I'm glad you got another one because, oh my gosh, that ocean gets a lot of good things. Yeah, so now I don't put them on near the ocean because I have like, I'm just like I can't do that.

00:18:33.940 - 00:18:39.010

Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Well oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that. All right.

00:18:39.010 - 00:18:45.550

Let's see. Um. Okay, so you said you're a psych major. Mhm.

00:18:45.940 - 00:18:54.480

And what made you interested in psychology? Ooh, okay. So basically my huge thing is. In the future.

00:18:54.480 - 00:19:04.050

Like my job, my occupation. I want to give back. Like how people helped me be, have the ability to hear and like, just like have a normal life in

00:19:04.050 - 00:19:13.260

some sense. Um, so I just want to give back. And like psychology always has been interesting to me. Like, I was always curious, like how like the brain

00:19:13.260 - 00:19:23.640

acts the way it was, like how we interact with others in that type of way. And like, I sort of realize like, um, like with my friends, like they call me like a therapist sometimes [Oh, I love that]

00:19:23.640 - 00:19:31.470

because they always come for me for advice and like, you're a really good listener. Which is kind of ironic for being deaf. Um, yeah.

00:19:31.470 - 00:19:38.880

So I'm like, oh, like, that's kind of cool. So I was like, okay, I'll apply a psych. And I took a psych class in high school and I found it interesting, so.

00:19:38.880 - 00:19:45.570

Okay, wait, I love that. [Yeah] I love that as a psych major, I'm like, yes, go psych! [Yes] And I love that you want to give back.

00:19:45.570 - 00:19:52.860

That's amazing. And I'm rooting for you. [Yes] And if you ever need any help, just so you know, you're more than welcome [Okay] to contact me at any

00:19:52.860 - 00:20:02.520

time. And I'd love to chat and give you any advice on professors that I've liked and everything, because it's a great, great, great, great, great field [Yeah] and so interesting.

00:20:02.520 - 00:20:09.270

So, I'm really excited for you in this journey at LMU. And so okay, next year you're going to be a sophomore.

00:20:09.270 - 00:20:13.500

Yes. And you're living in McCarthy. You said with your-- your friends? Yeah, my friend.

00:20:13.500 - 00:20:18.360

Right now? Yes. And so your friends right now are your roommates, right now, friends?

00:20:18.360 - 00:20:31.680

Or are you just [Oh, okay] roommates, like what's your living situation like? So basically, my roommate right now has this other friend that transferred this semester, [Okay] that's a freshman also.

00:20:31.680 - 00:20:43.680

And like we all got along and I kind of wanted to stick with them because I knew knowing that like I won't have my housing accommodation, which is basically having a fire alarm that flashes a light.

00:20:43.680 - 00:20:48.600

Oh, okay. So like at night, we would hope that it would wake me up. Right.

00:20:48.600 - 00:20:51.180

Because you take off. Yeah. [Yeah.] Because I wouldn't hear the alarm.

00:20:51.450 - 00:21:00.930

So I wanted to be with them if I wasn't going to have my housing accommodation because I can be like, hey, like if there ever is like a fire alarm or something goes off, like, just wake me up.

00:21:01.290 - 00:21:07.200

And then we needed one more person. And I found this person at like a roommate finder type of thing. No way.

00:21:07.200 - 00:21:14.730

And he told me he's like, I'm a huge snorer. And I was like, that's perfect, because I will not hear you whatsoever. No way.

00:21:14.730 - 00:21:18.660

And he was like, that's actually so cool. I was like, yeah. I was like, we got to be roommates now.

00:21:18.660 - 00:21:27.810

He's like, yeah, for sure. And then that's how it worked out. Oh my gosh, that is hilarious. [Yeah] And was that through LMU [Yea] or through Instagram or--?

00:21:27.840 - 00:21:36.930

That was through like LMU housing I think. Oh, okay. I had like an LMU find-a-roommate day. [Okay] It was like in person in Palm South, so.

00:21:36.930 - 00:21:41.880

Oh, that's awesome. Wait, I'm very excited for you and bluff you and McCarthy. Yeah, I'm excited.

00:21:41.880 - 00:21:47.700

It's gonna be great. It's gonna be great. All right, let's see. Let me see if I can think of some more

00:21:47.700 - 00:21:59.160

questions. Um hmm. Have you had any friends or met anyone else in the LMU community that has your similar impairment?

00:21:59.160 - 00:22:05.880

Oh, okay. This is a good story actually. Okay. Um, so I applied for service organizations [Oh, okay] on campus. [Yeah] So.

00:22:05.880 - 00:22:14.280

And I found the Agapé one, which is mental health, connects with psychology. Yep, love it. So I did my interview and my first interview.

00:22:14.340 - 00:22:23.400

It was like I was the first interview of the day, of the entire thing. [Okay] And I was like, really nervous. And then this guy, um, he's like, oh, like, um,

00:22:23.400 - 00:22:28.200

don't be nervous. Like everyone's just nervous too. Like, we're just going to try and have a conversation with you.

00:22:28.200 - 00:22:35.250

And then like, we had the conversation, like the interview and I talked about like, oh, like, why do you want to do this? I'm like, oh, I have hearing loss and I want

00:22:35.250 - 00:22:39.840

to get back. And he's like, oh, I have hearing loss too. I have hearing aids. Oh, no way.

00:22:39.840 - 00:22:46.920

So it was really funny. And like we got along really well. And what's funny is actually yesterday, um, we had a big and little reveal.

00:22:46.920 - 00:22:49.770

Okay. And he's actually my big. Oh, wait. Yeah.

00:22:49.770 - 00:22:53.760

That is awesome. Yeah. So, it was really nice. And I was really happy about that because that's who

00:22:53.760 - 00:22:58.200

I wanted. So. Oh yay. [Yeah] Wait, I'm so happy for you. Oh that's awesome.

00:22:58.200 - 00:23:00.810

Yeah. Okay. Oh, and then I have another story.

00:23:00.810 - 00:23:10.410

Yeah. Um, so I think it was, um, it's one of the, it's-- I think it's like a staff in the LMU library, like, uh. [Oh] I don't know if it's the

00:23:10.410 - 00:23:17.190

library, but it's like, uh, I think she's a janitor. I'm not entirely sure. Um, she has cochlear implants as well. Okay.

00:23:17.190 - 00:23:24.030

And she was like, I think she said she was in her 50s, and she's like, she's like, hey, like, you have the same thing as me. I was like, yeah, oh, that's like really cool.

00:23:24.030 - 00:23:32.430

And she was like, oh yeah, I got them like 20 years ago [Oh, wow] like when I was 40. And I'm like, I've been having it like since I'm a child and like how that's like so different and

00:23:32.430 - 00:23:39.600

experiences because like some people have like normal hearing and then like lose it over time. [Right] I don't know what normal hearing sounded like. Right.

00:23:39.840 - 00:23:44.400

Um, yeah. And she was like, she was really nice. She's like, oh, if you ever need anything, just let me know.

00:23:44.400 - 00:23:53.100

Like, I got you. So. Oh, wait. I just love the LMU community. [Yeah] I mean, how great and Agapé. I mean-- [Yeah.] I'm so excited for you.

00:23:53.370 - 00:23:58.350

That's going to be awesome. Have you-- so big little reveal was last week, you said? Uh last.

00:23:58.350 - 00:24:00.630

Well, yesterday. Oh, yesterday. Oh my gosh. Wait.

00:24:00.630 - 00:24:06.300

Wow, okay. So very new. Have you been to any events yet, or like how does that process work?

00:24:06.300 - 00:24:11.790

I'm not really familiar with [Oh, okay] the service. Or are you fully in it now? Yeah, I'm fully in it. Like, [Okay]

00:24:11.790 - 00:24:17.910

yesterday was technically our initiation day two. Okay. So like I signed it in a notebook signing my [Oh, cute] name that I'm in it. [Love]

00:24:18.060 - 00:24:28.320

Um, so yeah, there's like a recruitment event, like, you go to like, events that that each service org was hosting, trying to get to know people. And then if you apply, you have to write like

00:24:28.320 - 00:24:37.260

a written up, like almost like college essays. Okay. Um, and then like, there's like an interview that you did, um, and then you got back, like they would

00:24:37.260 - 00:24:43.200

tell you, oh, congratulations, you're in it or something like that. And then that's-- it was the only one I applied to, and I got in.

00:24:43.200 - 00:24:47.040

So, I was really happy. Um. It was meant to be. Yeah. Okay.

00:24:47.100 - 00:24:58.420

Um, and then basically the-- Oh, my God, uh-- I've been to like some um placements, which is like basically service things that you can do.

00:24:58.420 - 00:25:02.710

Okay. And I went to this thing it's called like Produce Hub. I just like, where we redistribute food.

00:25:02.710 - 00:25:08.440

Uh, food. Oh, that's awesome. And I like make bags for people. And then we load them in trucks to send to

00:25:08.440 - 00:25:15.070

people in the need. That is awesome. I mean, uh, how impactful for so many people. That's really cool.

00:25:15.070 - 00:25:23.680

Well, I'm so glad you like it. And I'm glad you got the big you wanted. That's really, really, really amazing. And let me know if at any time you need

00:25:23.680 - 00:25:32.380

me to repeat anything. [Okay. Oh yeah, for sure] I wanted to say that too. So, and also kind of going along that route. So you said that is one of the toughest things

00:25:32.380 - 00:25:45.880

for you when you ask someone [Yeah] to repeat themselves. [Yeah] So have you had a lot of experiences where people like with strangers or people that you're not really familiar with, like where you've had to [Yeah] ask to repeat

00:25:45.880 - 00:25:52.600

themselves and they get frustrated at you. Yeah, actually this happened to me at the Qdoba once. No! Yeah.

00:25:52.600 - 00:25:59.050

Uh, it's really sad. Um, well, so, like, one of the workers there were, like, asking me, and I could not understand what you're saying.

00:25:59.050 - 00:26:04.960

I was like, can you please repeat? He's like. And then the last time he's like, askme to repeat again, and you have to buy something else.

00:26:06.060 - 00:26:12.240

[[gasps]] No. Like buy something with it, like buy something more. And I was like, oh. Oh my gosh. Ugh.

00:26:12.660 - 00:26:18.990

And I didn't say anything. I probably should have been like, hey, I'm sorry, I'm really deafening, but like-- [Ugh.] I was just like, oh. And my friend was with me.

00:26:18.990 - 00:26:23.340

And she was shocked. She was like, dang. [Wow.] Yeah. I gave like-- we gave each other a look and

00:26:23.340 - 00:26:31.230

we're like, dang. Ugh, I'm so sorry that happened to you. That's terrible. Because it's just-- it's hard in those situations, because [Yeah]

00:26:31.230 - 00:26:42.720

you just never know what someone else is going through. And so, I mean, I'm hoping he had no idea [Yeah] who you are [Yeah] and what your story is. [Exactly] But also, [Yeah] I mean [Yeah] everyone deserves respect.

00:26:42.720 - 00:26:49.830

And, you know, maybe he was having a hard day, [[crosstalk]] but that doesn't mean that, you know. But ugh I'm so sorry. That must have been so frustrating.

00:26:49.830 - 00:26:53.010

Yeah. And I hope you got what you wanted. Yeah, no, I did. Okay, good.

00:26:53.010 - 00:26:58.620

I'm like [Yeah] get him his food, please. Yeah, that's okay. I just said I want my bowl please. Just like help me. [[laughs]]

00:27:00.120 - 00:27:08.850

Oh my goodness. Okay. So how—did that happen a lot growing up? Or, in school were classmates accommodating or did you ever have

00:27:08.850 - 00:27:14.910

a hard time with that? Yeah um. [Okay] It's like a little bit difficult in loud uh environments, like concerts. [Mhm]

00:27:14.910 - 00:27:23.730

Like, if they're like, oh, talk to a partner and like, in class and like, everybody's talking like it's so hard. [Okay] And like at some points I just give up and

00:27:23.730 - 00:27:27.690

try to like hear. I just nod and like, in agreement. So fair. Yeah. So.

00:27:27.690 - 00:27:32.940

Yeah. [So] Yeah. Okay. So you said you like driving, listening to music. [Yes]

00:27:32.940 - 00:27:38.970

So what is your experience like when you listen to music? Okay. This is a good question.

00:27:38.970 - 00:27:45.370

Um. A lot of people that I know that have cochlear implants. For some reason, they like low beat like rap music

00:27:45.370 - 00:27:53.200

that has a like a beat to it [Oh, interesting] but like, I'm the complete opposite. I like white girl basic music. Um, I'm Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo.

00:27:53.230 - 00:28:01.690

Oh my God, I love this. I also well, I like this. Technically, he doesn't call himself a Christian rapper, but it's like a white rapper called NF.

00:28:01.720 - 00:28:06.970

I don't know if you know who he is. [Oh] I think I may have heard of him before. [Yeah] Okay. Okay.

00:28:06.970 - 00:28:12.880

Yeah, he's my-- one of my favorites, too. Um, Ed Sheeran. Oh. Like all that type of music.

00:28:12.880 - 00:28:17.870

So. Ed Sheeran seriously like changed my life. I'm not even kidding. Like,

00:28:18.200 - 00:28:25.610

man, what a-- the lyrics [Mm, yeah they are good] to "I'm Wow," and also Taylor Swift. I mean. Come on. [She's an icon]

00:28:25.610 - 00:28:37.430

I, I mean, it's so iconic. Like, I just can't believe her success and I just-- uh I love her. Okay, so Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, NF, and Ed Shereen.

00:28:37.430 - 00:28:49.160

So when listening to the music, do you usually pull up lyrics? Like, what is that experience like? Can you always understand what they're singing? How does that work?

00:28:49.160 - 00:28:56.180

Okay, um. Most of the times. Like, I kind of like, try to assume, like [Okay] what they're saying, like I.

00:28:56.180 - 00:29:00.200

But most of the time I don't know what they're saying. Okay. So I look up, I'm like, I use Spotify. [Yeah]

00:29:00.200 - 00:29:05.270

They have like the lyrics thing. I try to look at it, to try to understand so I can sing, sing along. Okay.

00:29:05.660 - 00:29:10.610

Um, yeah. But there's definitely been times where I thought it was something and it was not that. And it was.

00:29:10.610 - 00:29:17.960

There's a funny story, but I'm not gonna say it. Yeah. No worries. Oh my gosh, that's really funny that, um, the lyrics

00:29:17.960 - 00:29:26.180

on Spotify are so nice. [Yeah, mhm] I can't believe it's a newer edition. I think. [Yeah] Like, you know, kind of within the past, like two years.

00:29:26.180 - 00:29:34.430

I'm surprised they didn't have it before [Yeah] because I used to have Apple Music and they did [Yeah] have that. But then I switched to Spotify and they didn't have that.

00:29:34.430 - 00:29:41.420

And I was like, wait, I kind of like it because, you know, I like to [Yeah, yeah] sometimes I have no idea what the lyrics are. And I'm like, wait, what have I been singing this

00:29:41.420 - 00:29:44.810

whole time? [Yeah] And then I read it and I'm like, oh, I totally had it wrong. Yes.

00:29:44.810 - 00:29:49.070

So sometimes I just like mumble what they're saying. Okay. Yeah. Okay.

00:29:49.070 - 00:29:56.630

And so you said concerts sometimes get overwhelming. [Yeah] So do you still attend? Or? Actually, I haven't been to like an actual concert before. [Okay] Or--

00:29:56.630 - 00:30:03.650

Okay. This is like using that as an example, like restaurants also. [Mm] Um, yeah.

00:30:03.650 - 00:30:10.220

Classrooms sometimes just like very loud environments or like my-- I don't like them. Okay, so fair.

00:30:10.220 - 00:30:22.280

So how do you manage that when you get overwhelmed in order to try to, you know, help yourself and stay calm and just, you know, ease your anxiety and just-- [Yeah] you know, make sure because, you know, it's important

00:30:22.280 - 00:30:29.450

to [Yeah] feel comfortable in the spaces you're in. [Yeah] So how-- what do you do to try to make yourself feel more comfortable? Yes.

00:30:29.600 - 00:30:37.070

Um, so what's cool is that like my cochlear implants have like different settings. [Oh!] So there's like this setting that's supposed to be for loud.

00:30:37.070 - 00:30:48.020

It's like it cancels all background noise or like, makes it quieter then, like if you're looking at somebody, talking to them. [Okay] I don't really use it, but like I sometimes use it. My, my parents are like, use it!

00:30:48.020 - 00:30:55.580

And I'm like, okay. I'm like, okay, you know you should try it. I'm like, okay. Um, but usually I just like try my parents like,

00:30:55.580 - 00:31:00.470

try to like, like just talk really close to my ear. Okay. Um, and my friends as well.

00:31:00.470 - 00:31:07.010

Or we try to go, like, in a quieter, like, spot in the loud environment to try to, like, talk to each other. Okay.

00:31:07.010 - 00:31:10.370

That makes sense. That makes sense. Okay. Interesting.

00:31:10.370 - 00:31:14.390

Okay. So, classrooms? Restaurants? Mhm. Okay.

00:31:14.480 - 00:31:25.370

That makes sense. I'm just trying to think like for me I have really bad anxiety and like I get like overwhelmed and like overstimulated in those environments sometimes like with a lot

00:31:25.370 - 00:31:34.790

of noises and stuff. And-- [Yeah] So I, I understand in the getting the overwhelmed and because especially in our, our society like there's so much

00:31:34.790 - 00:31:46.040

going on all the time and like [Yeah] so many different noises and I don't know, just a lot is going on. So I can imagine how it can get to be

00:31:46.040 - 00:31:52.220

overstimulating [Yeah] sometimes. But I'm glad that the cochlear implants have those different settings for you. Is that--

00:31:52.220 - 00:32:03.760

So, how have you kind of seen the cochlear implant advance [Okay] in like the technology, if you can remember older versions? [Yeah] Um, I would definitely say like the older versions were

00:32:03.760 - 00:32:09.280

like bigger. Okay. They would like be more like visual to like other people.

00:32:09.280 - 00:32:18.760

Okay. But like as time has passed, like, uh, it's smaller and then like the Bluetooth thing that I mentioned earlier, like having built in Air Pods. [Right, right]

00:32:18.910 - 00:32:22.450

That's so cool. Yeah. Um, like different settings.

00:32:22.450 - 00:32:33.670

I think that's also that-- they also have this new, like didn't have this before, it's like you can like cancel out like wind, almost like the, like sometimes like that really affects my hearing.

00:32:33.670 - 00:32:38.380

Like I can't hear anything. Okay. Um, but yeah, that's like the main thing. Okay.

00:32:38.380 - 00:32:52.150

Wait, that's pretty cool. And now do people in public ever like strangers, do they ever come up to you and ask you? Because I know people are very invasive sometimes. [Yeah] And people

00:32:52.150 - 00:33:02.860

are very curious, which you know, sometimes is okay, but [Yeah] sometimes people can overstep a little bit and make others uncomfortable. And I'm wondering if you've had any experiences that you're

00:33:02.860 - 00:33:11.500

willing to share, obviously, that where someone's come up to you or made you uncomfortable or anything like that? Uh, I think I would say it's definitely like more

00:33:11.500 - 00:33:16.300

like kids, like toddlers. They're like, oh, what is that on your ear? Right. I'm like, oh yeah,

00:33:16.300 - 00:33:24.130

like, it's for my hearing loss. Like I can't hear, um, but like here at LMU, like I haven't had like an experience like that. Okay.

00:33:24.160 - 00:33:30.760

It's like I told my friends, oh, did you guys even notice, like, when we first started being friends? "Like, oh, like me. Like when I got really close to you, I did,

00:33:30.760 - 00:33:38.680

but like, I just just assumed not to ask, like, until you wanted to." [Mm] So I feel like here, like, everybody's very respectful when it comes to that. Um.

00:33:38.920 - 00:33:41.470

Good. But-- Yeah. Okay.

00:33:41.470 - 00:33:51.790

And when you first meet someone, is that something you usually disclose to them? Or how do you feel about that? Um, I don't usually disclose it unless, like, it's necessary.

00:33:51.790 - 00:33:57.130

Like-- Oh, like, hey, like, I have struggle with hearing loss. Okay. Is it possible you can repeat that again?

00:33:57.130 - 00:34:02.890

Right. And then like, usually they're like, oh yeah, Of course like, I'll repeat myself for you.

00:34:02.890 - 00:34:06.340

Okay. Is it possible, I can, like, drink some water? Oh my goodness, of course.

00:34:06.340 - 00:34:11.770

Yes, please. This is all like your own pace. So [Okay] yeah, I honestly, I might need some, too. [[inaudible]]

00:34:16.360 - 00:34:27.940

Yeah, a lot of talking. Yes. Okay.

00:34:28.090 - 00:34:34.580

Wait. I'm trying to think if there are anymore. Oh, okay. Okay.

00:34:34.850 - 00:34:41.930

Um-- What? Okay, so I know you talked a little bit about your Big, [Mhm] who also has

00:34:41.930 - 00:34:48.080

you said hearing impairment? Uh, he said he uses hearing aids, [Hearing aids?] but he actually doesn't even use them. Oh, okay.

00:34:48.080 - 00:34:53.510

So, like, his is not as bad as, like, mine at all. It's just like, oh, that's a cool thing Like he has.

00:34:53.510 - 00:35:01.010

And he's like, oh, I'm super understanding if you need like me to repeat myself. [Uh] And I just kind of like that, like somebody has similar experiences to me.

00:35:01.010 - 00:35:09.890

Right, that makes sense. Okay. That's awesome. Um, besides that and the library staff, [Mhm] is there

00:35:09.890 - 00:35:23.280

a culture of that you've kind of experienced with disability at LMU? Like, other than those two people, have you interacted with that at all or seen anything with that?

00:35:23.310 - 00:35:36.980

Um, actually one of my, like, close friends right now, she told me actually, um, like she has like, um-- oh my God. Actually, I don't know if I'm allowed to share this. So like--

00:35:37.100 - 00:35:40.250

Yeah. No worries. But she has, like, a disability. Okay.

00:35:40.460 - 00:35:43.310

Um. And, yeah, like we sort of

00:35:43.310 - 00:35:49.940

connected over that, too. I'm like, trying to be accommodating about that. And she tries to be accommodating about my hearing, so that's that.

00:35:50.180 - 00:35:57.320

Um. That's awesome. But yeah, like besides that I don't have like a-- like disability community here.

00:35:57.320 - 00:36:04.730

But like, I did go to like a preschool that specialized in, um, kids with hearing loss. Oh, okay. And it was

00:36:04.730 - 00:36:08.600

called, uh, Weingarten. Um. Weingarten? Yeah. Oh,

00:36:08.600 - 00:36:11.750

no way. How cute. Weingarten Children's Center. Okay.

00:36:11.960 - 00:36:16.160

Um, and-- yeah. So that, like, made me feel like I was normal

00:36:16.160 - 00:36:24.680

because, like, everybody else had cochlear implants or hearing aids like me, and then, like, I mainstreamed into, like, public school, and I became, like, the only person who was like--

00:36:25.420 - 00:36:28.390

with hearing loss. Right. Mhm. Okay,

00:36:28.390 - 00:36:38.050

and how did that make you feel like. So that was preschool. You said, you went to that school. [Yeah] And then, so public schools from elementary school onward?

00:36:38.050 - 00:36:43.930

Onward, yeah. Okay, and now in elementary school, did you ever feel different?

00:36:43.930 - 00:36:54.610

Or did you like, how did you feel growing up in relation to your disability? I think I knew I was like always a little bit different, but like I live off this motto,

00:36:54.760 - 00:37:00.790

um, it's not what makes you different it's what makes you unique. So I'm like, [I love that] I'm just a unique person. And you are!

00:37:00.790 - 00:37:08.110

Yeah, um, that's why I live off. Um, but I don't think it has like, affected me negatively in any scenarios.

00:37:08.230 - 00:37:16.870

Um, like, I had like, people that I know, like, told me they got bullied for being, like, having hearing loss, but I never experienced that thankfully.

00:37:17.740 - 00:37:26.840

I'm like [Yeah] thank goodness. Okay, that's awesome to hear. And now how has your experience positively impacted your life?

00:37:26.840 - 00:37:35.090

How do you think, you know, how is it impacted you positively? Yeah. Um, I think it gave me like a unique perspective

00:37:35.090 - 00:37:42.620

on life. Like, oh, like it's really I keep forgetting I'm like, people don't hear like I do. It's like I'm this very unique person.

00:37:42.620 - 00:37:51.170

And I think it just made me be more understanding of other people's differences. Mhm. Um, and I try to be really accommodating on that,

00:37:51.170 - 00:37:56.900

because I want people to do the same for me. Um. That's awesome. Yeah. [Yeah]

00:37:56.900 - 00:38:06.110

Wait, I just wanted to say really quick, you're gonna-- if you're a therapist, I mean, you're gonna be great. I feel just so comfortable talking [Okay] to you and I just wanted to let you know, [Oh] you're doing

00:38:06.110 - 00:38:15.230

great. And, like, I can tell, you're a super kind person and I just feel really honored to be [Okay] getting to know you right now. [Oh, thank you] And you're just like, oh, I'm

00:38:15.230 - 00:38:24.710

just loving this. [Okay] But okay, that's awesome. And yeah, psych is definitely, I, I now see what your friends [Okay] yeah I'm like, I love it. [Yeah]

00:38:24.710 - 00:38:28.880

That's awesome. Um, okay. Let's see. Okay,

00:38:29.060 - 00:38:37.100

that was how it positively affects you. [Yeah] Okay. That's awesome. And I love that motto. I mean, yeah. [Yeah] I fully believe that.

00:38:37.100 - 00:38:44.600

And I'm, I think I need to repeat that [Yeah] little mantra each day. Like, I love that I'm gonna like, wake up and be like, this is Gabe's motto, and I think I need

00:38:44.600 - 00:38:57.560

to live by that too, because uniqueness is I mean, it's what makes us all so-- [Yeah] like, special and just like especially the LMU community. I just feel like there's so many different people here and [Yeah] in such

00:38:57.560 - 00:39:08.120

a great, awesome space. [Mm] And it's just, I don't know, it's cool seeing like everyone's different backgrounds and now we're all here in this [Yeah] beautiful community. [Yes]

00:39:08.120 - 00:39:12.620

So sorry, just a little moment of appreciation. Yeah. LMU's beautiful.

00:39:13.610 - 00:39:20.150

I'm like, yeah, I'm really lucky to live here. And then my friends are like, oh my gosh, stop saying that. I'm like, well, I like like it's we should be

00:39:20.150 - 00:39:25.850

really thankful that we're here right now. Seriously, ugh, I love that I love that you're grateful. That's awesome.

00:39:25.850 - 00:39:30.320

I bet your parents love that, too. Yeah. Um, okay. Let's see.

00:39:30.860 - 00:39:42.860

Okay, so I asked about disability culture, um, and you talked about how people at LMU treat or perceive you. [Mhm] Um, I'm trying to think if-- is there anything else

00:39:42.860 - 00:39:50.510

that you would like to share that we didn't touch on, or--? Uh, yeah, I can share something else. [Yeah] Uh, I did. I-- I don't know if you asked

00:39:50.510 - 00:40:01.280

me like this type of question, like. Oh, like, have you ever faced like, uh, a negative response to like my deafness and type of stuff? [Right] I will say that, um, when I was transitioning from

00:40:01.280 - 00:40:08.120

middle school to high school, um-- [Hm] I, that's a long time ago. Um. [[exhales]] And I'm like, thank goodness [Yeah] for it.

00:40:08.360 - 00:40:18.800

I-- so I wanted to take like AS English which was like honors English pretty much. [Mhm] And then so we had like this conference with my IEP [Individualized Education Program] people.

00:40:18.800 - 00:40:30.530

Okay. And my su-- who was going to be my disability counselor, um, he said like, oh, I don't think you should take this class because you struggle with writing and

00:40:30.530 - 00:40:39.520

like, because I don't think you would do well with it, like knowing your disability. And then I was like really shocked by that, and my mom was furious. [Yes, mom]

00:40:39.700 - 00:40:46.210

Like, she stood up for me and she was like, [Good] do not insult my son like that He can do whatever he wants. And I-- I proved them wrong.

00:40:46.210 - 00:40:53.800

I took the class. I got straight--got A's in that class. Yes, I love that. [Yeah] But also like, who is he to say [Yeah] what you

00:40:53.800 - 00:41:02.470

can and can't do, [I know] you know? Mhm. And I was like, dang. I was like, I really hope not everybody's like that. And luckily, not all people are like that

00:41:02.470 - 00:41:06.100

But, yeah. Okay. Wow, wow. Wait,

00:41:06.100 - 00:41:16.870

that prompted me to have another question and now I'm forgetting this. Oh man, it's Monday, it's Monday, [It is Monday, yeah] I'm like whew!

00:41:16.870 - 00:41:21.040

And almost [[in unison]] Easter Break. Are you going home for Easter? Yeah, I am. [Okay, fun] I'm--

00:41:21.520 - 00:41:27.670

I have a car right now [Okay] It's really fun. Oh, that's awesome. [I actually got it this Spring Break] So it's like a brand new-- [Oh wait]

00:41:27.670 - 00:41:31.420

It's not brand new. It's a used car, but like-- Love. Wait, that's so exciting. [Yeah]

00:41:31.420 - 00:41:37.480

So I'm taking some of my friends. Uh, we're gonna drive down to Pismo Beach tomorrow. Oh, my gosh. And then [Take me with you] [[crosstalk]] we're gonna go back home.

00:41:37.480 - 00:41:39.880

Yes. Take me with you. Take me with you. [[pleading]] Where are you from?

00:41:39.880 - 00:41:41.860

I'm from Baltimore, Maryland. Oh yeah, you told me that. I'm sorry.

00:41:41.860 - 00:41:44.140

Yeah, no. Oh, my gosh, it's okay. No worries.

00:41:44.140 - 00:41:49.330

Yeah. So, far away. But for Easter Break, I'm headed to Santa Cruz with [Oh] one of my roommates. [Nice]

00:41:49.330 - 00:42:00.460

Yeah, I usually, since, you know, I'm so far away, I usually go home with her for Thanksgiving and Easter holidays, and she has a huge family, [Oh, nice] so it's really fun to go up there and hang out with them

00:42:00.460 - 00:42:08.740

and just escape. I love LA, but sometimes it's nice to head up [Yeah] North and get some of that fresh air. [Yeah] And-- It's just, also, like, really packed here.

00:42:08.740 - 00:42:13.300

Yeah, I know, I know. Yeah. We—and I'm so excited for you that you have a car. [Yes]

00:42:13.300 - 00:42:22.990

It's so much. Like, I feel like in LA it's hard sometimes not to have a car, [Yes] because, you know, things are really spread out and, [Yeah] it-- so it gets challenging.

00:42:23.470 - 00:42:34.720

Like public transportation, too. [I know] So I'm like, I need that car. Yeah, seriously. Have you had any experiences with public transportation like from home or do you usually [Oh] drive or what's-- what's

00:42:34.720 - 00:42:39.610

that like for you? I did use like I don't know if you know like this, it's called SamTrans. SamTram.

00:42:39.610 - 00:42:44.980

Trans out. Oh, I don't think I know. It's like a bus. [Okay] A-- public bus thing, is in the Bay Area.

00:42:44.980 - 00:42:50.050

Okay. It went by my house, I would take it usually to school and from school during middle school.

00:42:50.050 - 00:42:55.090

Okay. Got it, got it. But there's like no negative or positive thing about that it's just-- Okay.

00:42:55.090 - 00:42:57.730

Part of my life. Okay. [[laughs]] I love that. Okay, good.

00:42:57.730 - 00:43:08.160

I'm glad. And now with this, um, the meeting with the person about the IEP [Mhm] were you was that like-- Sorry.

00:43:08.160 - 00:43:19.410

Did you constantly have to be meeting like, what was that like in-- like his or their role in, you know, aiding you in these different classes? Like, did you have meetings with them?

00:43:19.410 - 00:43:25.380

What was that kind of like, if you remember? So it was usually a yearly thing. Okay. Um.

00:43:26.130 - 00:43:34.050

He, well, he came into like my IEP thing because he was part of my high school, like IEP like type of thing. Okay.

00:43:34.350 - 00:43:42.990

Uh, and then he had to help me transition. And the thing is, I got a signed recommendation saying that I can do AS English, but he's [Okay] like sort of contradicted that.

00:43:43.590 - 00:43:51.720

Um, which was very interesting because I had struggles with writing and I had, like a writing tutor and everything. Okay. So he's like, I don't think this is for you.

00:43:51.870 - 00:43:57.180

And I was like, how do you know what I want to do? And then my mom was like, yeah, no, like Gabe do what he wants.

00:43:57.180 - 00:44:00.240

I was like, yeah. Period. I love it. I love it.

00:44:00.240 - 00:44:10.440

That's awesome. That's awesome. I, I really struggled with math growing up, and I had a lot of, like, teachers who would doubt me

00:44:10.440 - 00:44:20.430

and be like, you know, to my parents at parent conferences be like, oh, she needs to be in this lower level math class or-- and I couldn't take art my eighth grade [What?] year because

00:44:20.430 - 00:44:27.420

I had to be in a like, math support class group. So while all of my friends were like taking art and everything

00:44:27.420 - 00:44:38.160

I was in this class with maybe like ten other students, like, you know, working on my math skills and I hated it! I felt terrible about myself.

00:44:38.160 - 00:44:45.660

I was like, wow, Like, my teacher doesn't believe in me and wants me to like, you know, like drop a level [Yeah] And now I can't even take art, which I love. [Yeah]

00:44:45.660 - 00:44:56.790

And I feel like it kind of, you know, the way teachers [Yeah] and, you know, counselors and everything, [Yeah] you know, speak to it really [Yeah] sticks with you. And it-- I don't know, like I, I've thought about

00:44:56.790 - 00:45:04.950

that a lot and I'm like, well, maybe I would like math a little bit more if I wasn't, you know, So it's just [Yeah] interesting to see the way these people

00:45:04.950 - 00:45:15.090

who, you know, they have, you know, most of the time their intentions are good, [Yeah] But the way things are phrased sometimes and the way they think that, oh, you can't do this, but it's

00:45:15.090 - 00:45:24.510

like, [Yes] well, maybe just reword it and say, like, I'm a little concerned for you to go in this since you have struggled with this in the past, but let's try it.

00:45:24.510 - 00:45:29.160

Yeah. See how it works, and if you're struggling, we'll take you out-- like it doesn't need to be

00:45:29.770 - 00:45:36.760

something so harsh and set in stone because then you're, [Yeah] you know, kind of defining people by, [For sure] you know, [Yeah] what they can and can't do. Yeah.

00:45:36.760 - 00:45:42.280

No. Like, actually, like this is kind of funny because I, I'm doing rhetorical arts right now. Oh, yep.

00:45:42.280 - 00:45:47.350

So I had to do like a speech and-- [Oh!] I was gonna do my speech on like, disability awareness type of thing. Okay.

00:45:47.560 - 00:45:57.220

Um, and this is like something I wanted to, like, discuss, like, oh, like, I think people have, like, this implicit bias to have, like, these worse expectations of people with disabilities.

00:45:57.220 - 00:46:07.180

And they're like, oh, they can't do this. [Right] But in reality, I think what people need to be doing is saying, oh, let's help. How can we help them be their best person?

00:46:07.180 - 00:46:13.870

Right. And um, like and how-- yeah, how can we support that? Um, and I like this reminds me of this like

00:46:13.870 - 00:46:23.320

one video I saw on TikTok once. It was like this ad for people with Down's Syndrome. Okay. And it's this girl and she's like, don't question me

00:46:23.320 - 00:46:28.660

that I can't drink. Don't question me if I can't, like, do all these types of things. And it was really powerful to me.

00:46:28.660 - 00:46:34.510

I was like, Dang! Like-- [You tell them!] Yeah. And she was like, it could-- I was like, dang I was like, yeah, [Wait, I love that]

00:46:34.510 - 00:46:40.750

I hope that ad pops up on my page. I don't know what it was called. It was—it was—it was—I think it was from like the Down Syndrome like organization.

00:46:40.750 - 00:46:43.690

I don't know. Okay, I'll have to look into that. That's so awesome.

00:46:43.690 - 00:46:49.030

I love that. Um, I do have to say that I'm a women's and gender studies minor. Oh, okay.

00:46:49.030 - 00:47:06.070

And like, this interview where like, I'm participating in this through Doctor Apgar's [Mhm yeah] Gender and Disability class. And man, the things. It's just so interesting, like, being in college and learning about all these things that we

00:47:06.070 - 00:47:17.020

were never taught. [Yeah] In high school, I think that's my biggest thing. Just throughout my personal experience at LMU is just like so many things about like, my Black identity and like [Mhm]

00:47:17.020 - 00:47:27.190

my struggling with, you know, mental health issues [Yeah] and all of this. And now I'm taking Doctor Apgar's class about how gender and disability intersect.

00:47:27.190 - 00:47:39.020

And the things I had no idea about because I just, I was never taught. And it's just so interesting and beautiful to like, learn

00:47:39.020 - 00:47:48.110

about, you know, all different people and like all of these new things. [Yeah] And I don't know. I just, like—it's just so interesting, especially being psych majors.

00:47:48.110 - 00:48:00.650

Like, it's really interesting to apply your psych knowledge [Yeah] to your other courses and like, see the implications of, you know, who's written into history [Yeah] and who's not and who's in the textbooks and who's not. [Yeah]

00:48:00.650 - 00:48:08.840

So it's just really interesting. But if you get the chance to take any women's and gender studies classes, [Okay] I feel like you'd really like them.

00:48:08.840 - 00:48:15.740

Okay. Yeah, they're really awesome, And, uh, they're just so interesting and the professors are the best.

00:48:16.040 - 00:48:24.680

The psych—like, psych professors are awesome And so are women's and gender studies professors, if you get the chance to take it. [Yeah] I had something I was going to say, but now, like ugh—

00:48:24.680 - 00:48:30.110

Oh, I'm sorry. No, no, no, you're good. Um, oh my god, what was it? Take your time. [I know]

00:48:32.020 - 00:48:43.720

We were talking about, uh, like-- [[talking faintly]] Gender, disability, [Yeah, disability, yeah] people written into history, people written out of history. Like I-- it was a good—I--

00:48:43.720 - 00:48:47.380

I was like, I want to say this. [Oh!] And now I don't know. It's okay, it's okay. It'll come up later.

00:48:47.380 - 00:48:54.010

Okay. Sounds good, sounds good. I'm trying to see, um. Oh, my one question is--

00:48:55.440 - 00:48:58.380

Wait-- Oh, I know, I was gonna say. [Oh, yes] Okay. Go ahead, go ahead.

00:48:58.410 - 00:49:05.430

Uh, oh, what I think it would be really cool and sort of what you guys are doing right now is like sharing stories of people with disabilities.

00:49:05.430 - 00:49:12.690

So, like, the people know what to do and not to do in front of a person, that type of thing. Like, oh, like this is what's helpful for a person

00:49:12.690 - 00:49:21.780

with hearing loss. This is what you can do and this is [Okay] what you not do [Yeah] and I think that is really powerful. And like, so you know how to properly respect

00:49:21.780 - 00:49:34.620

and treat these type of people. [One hundred percent.] That is so important. Actually, Doctor Apgar is working on um, kind of like this collective for I-- I'm sure would be available to

00:49:34.620 - 00:49:47.850

the whole community, but I think it's going to be kind of more specifically geared towards like psych students for-- because I took a course of her's last semester called "Refrigerator Moms and Wild Boys," [[crosstalk]] and it was all--

00:49:47.850 - 00:49:56.550

it was taught by Doctor Apgar, who's a women's and gender studies professor. And then Doctor Sturm, who's a psychology professor. They taught at the same time.

00:49:56.550 - 00:50:09.570

So it was two professors at once, and it was their different theories, and it was all about autism and the autism community. And she wants to try to get, um, this collection

00:50:09.570 - 00:50:23.190

in the library of tools that autistic people use that, you know, um, people who work with them usually aren't allowed to touch or like, you know, because it's that person's property and it's their tool for them to use.

00:50:23.190 - 00:50:33.000

And, you know, people that are helping them are just, you know, there to guide and assist. And so, she wants to get these technologies so that psych students can see, like, oh, how does this help

00:50:33.000 - 00:50:42.060

this specific community? [Yeah] And how does this tool help this community? So I think like incorporating your idea into that and like, so that people know, like, oh, this is how

00:50:42.060 - 00:50:54.840

this works [Yeah] and like here's what they do on their side and this is how you can assist and help. But my question to you is, what are some things that you should or should not do [Oh] with a person [Okay]

00:50:55.050 - 00:51:05.340

with your impairment? Um, with my impairment. Oh, I have had this happen. It's like people are like, oh, wow, you really talk. Oh my God, now I'm trying to correct my grammar

00:51:05.340 - 00:51:12.720

Is it really talk-- good for a deaf person? [Um] And like, that shouldn't be the expectation like--

00:51:12.720 - 00:51:19.990

Right. You can-- Anyone can talk. [Yeah] Like it's different for every person. I just happen to be very—be very fortunate where

00:51:19.990 - 00:51:25.990

my parents sent me to speech therapy [Right] since I was like three years old, so. [Right.] Wow, how condescending.

00:51:25.990 - 00:51:33.820

Yeah. Like hoof! [[exhales]] [I was like, yeah] Um, you're like, wow, you should be really proud of yourself for being a deaf person and overcoming all these

00:51:33.820 - 00:51:43.900

goals. Like, it's like everything is extra proud of because of your disability is not because of who you are. So, yeah.

00:51:43.900 - 00:51:49.150

Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I can imagine that is not even though I-- I

00:51:49.150 - 00:51:57.970

get the intention [Yes] behind it. Like they're saying, like you overcame so many [Yes] obstacles to be here and you should be really proud [Right] and I respect that. Right.

00:51:57.970 - 00:52:07.630

But sometimes you don't want to be remembered for being the deaf guy One hundred percent [that graduated high school and then] Right. [LMU, etc] Right.

00:52:07.630 - 00:52:10.690

Because you're Gabe. Yeah, exactly. And-- Yeah.

00:52:10.870 - 00:52:13.030

Exactly. Yeah. Wow. Okay.

00:52:13.030 - 00:52:26.950

Yes, I can-- it's interesting, because words just carry so much power. And it's so interesting to hear these statements and just see how easily they can be tweaked to not be

00:52:26.950 - 00:52:39.190

extremely [Yeah] condescending and a little rude, [Yeah] but wow. Yeah, I can see how easily-- Yeah, that can-- that can be hurtful for sure. Yeah, yeah.

00:52:39.190 - 00:52:47.960

Okay. So what are some things that you look for in friends, or people, or like your family? Things that have been helpful for you that you

00:52:47.960 - 00:52:58.190

would like others to know about? Uh, I really appreciate when people like, make sure that I heard it or like, did you hear it? Like, oh, like they're making sure, like, if somebody's talking,

00:52:58.190 - 00:53:05.780

it's like my friend's friend next to me, like, did you get what he-- She said. [Okay] Or if I turn and they know, they're like, she said, blah, blah, blah, blah, that type of stuff.

00:53:05.960 - 00:53:14.130

Um. Uh. I think it's also just like people not defining me, like with deafness, just like being friends with like-- because

00:53:14.130 - 00:53:19.050

I always back in my head, I'm like, oh, they feel bad for me. That's why they're friends with me. That type of stuff.

00:53:19.320 - 00:53:25.500

Like they see me as different as all of the other friends. Like I'm the disabled friend, which I know is not true.

00:53:25.500 - 00:53:32.610

But like- [Yeah] it's just always in the back of my head. And like, I do appreciate when people are just like, you're just a really great person, like you're kind

00:53:32.610 - 00:53:40.710

and all that. That's why we're friends with you, [Yeah] rather than just like, oh, it's because you're deaf. Yeah, I bet that is tough sometimes because, you know,

00:53:40.710 - 00:53:50.790

everyone has that little voice that always-- [Yeah] it's-- as-- [the voice] I know, it really-- it gets you sometimes. But I want you to know that I can tell

00:53:50.790 - 00:53:59.790

that you are a great person. I have enjoyed, really enjoyed our interview so far and thank you so much for sharing. Um, I really appreciate it and how open you are.

00:53:59.790 - 00:54:06.330

and it's been really great to get to know you so far. Um, okay. Well, thank you so much for sharing that.

00:54:06.330 - 00:54:17.400

Is there anything else you'd like to share or discuss? Or any questions for me? Or anything that I didn't touch on? Um, let me think, uh.

00:54:22.420 - 00:54:32.560

I guess I can say something about like, oh, do I like, keep with my deaf culture more? Um, I do have like these two friends from my preschool. [Okay]

00:54:32.560 - 00:54:41.020

And like, we're all like, sort of like family friends. And we had this tradition where everybody's for each of us. Oh my God.

00:54:41.020 - 00:54:47.680

Sorry. No worries. Each of ours birthday, we would have a sleepover. [Aw] like one of the house, one of our houses.

00:54:47.680 - 00:54:55.320

Okay. And we kept doing that until like, before the pandemic. And then we did like one last one before we

00:54:55.320 - 00:55:02.910

all went off to college. So it was really nice. Oh my gosh, that is awesome. I love it, I love traditions, [Yeah] that's so fun.

00:55:02.910 - 00:55:11.160

Especially with friends and family friends. I mean, it just like keeps you grounded and just [Yeah] like, you know, helps you remember, like these people have,

00:55:11.160 - 00:55:16.380

you know, been with me through it all. [Yeah] So that's awesome. Are they in college now too? Yeah, they are. [Okay]

00:55:16.380 - 00:55:25.270

One is in um-- oh my god, Oregon State University. Oh, awesome. And Willamette. [Okay] It's in Oregon as well.

00:55:25.270 - 00:55:28.000

Oh, cool! Okay. [Yeah] So they went up North. [Yeah] Okay. Wait--

00:55:28.000 - 00:55:32.380

Awesome. And how have their experiences been? Um-- [[crosstalk]] I haven't really talked to them that much.

00:55:32.380 - 00:55:37.120

Okay, okay. So I wouldn't know. Okay. Wait, that's so awesome [Yeah] though, that you were all able

00:55:37.120 - 00:55:43.750

to meet up for a last, like, sleepover before college. [Yeah] That's awesome. That's awesome. Oh, and that

00:55:43.750 - 00:55:51.880

reminds me, I have another thing that I can share [Yeah] too. Um, uh, during high school, I did this, like, um, it's this leadership program [Okay] it's called Loft.

00:55:51.880 - 00:55:58.030

L-O-F-T Okay. And it was sponsored by, like, A.G. Bell. And I think he helped, like, found like

00:55:59.080 - 00:56:03.820

hearing aids, I think. Oh wow. [I think so.] I'm not entirely sure. [[crosstalk]] Don't-- don't quote me on that.

00:56:03.820 - 00:56:10.180

But, um-- Yeah. So it was like a one week long leadership program in Washington, DC.

00:56:10.180 - 00:56:16.480

Oh, awesome. With all kids, all high school-- high schoolers. Okay. Who had hearing loss cochlear implants.

00:56:16.480 - 00:56:21.850

Oh wow, okay. From across the country, like there was a person from Alaska. [What?!] And it was really cool. Oh, I want to go there.

00:56:21.850 - 00:56:30.430

And there's tons of people in the East Coast. Um, and it was a really cool experience. Like just meeting more people that have the same thing as me in high school.

00:56:30.730 - 00:56:38.350

And it's like-- it was more, like, about embracing your uniqueness and, like, how to use that in a leadership type of way. Oh, that's awesome.

00:56:38.350 - 00:56:44.470

And it was in-- we got to explore DC too. That was my first time there. Oh! So I got to see like the White House.

00:56:44.470 - 00:56:50.890

Yes. Oh my god, I think I'll-- Lincoln Memorial. [Yep] Is what it's called? [It is] Yes.

00:56:50.890 - 00:56:53.410

Yeah. [You're right, yeah] Uh, yeah. And all those places-- Oh that's

00:56:53.410 - 00:57:02.500

so fun. I live like about 40 minutes away from DC [Oh, cool], so I have visited frequently and it is just, it's so much fun.

00:57:02.500 - 00:57:10.120

There's so much history there. [Mhm, yeah] And what a great place to go for something about leadership [Yeah] and just-- Wow, that's really cool. [Yeah]

00:57:10.120 - 00:57:15.820

That's really cool. I'm glad you were able to go on that. That's awesome. And that kind of reminded me or prompted me another

00:57:15.820 - 00:57:20.530

question. So on airplanes-- Mhm. Is it because I--

00:57:21.320 - 00:57:28.970

I have to put on noise canceling [Oh] headphones. [Yeah] Do you turn off your cochlear implants? Like, what is that? [Oh] Usually, I take them off like completely.

00:57:29.000 - 00:57:31.640

You take them off? Okay. Because the noise is just annoying. [Yeah]

00:57:31.640 - 00:57:36.470

Okay. And even if I try to put on music, like to overcome it, I can still hear it. Okay.

00:57:36.770 - 00:57:42.410

The noise-- So, yeah, I usually take them off Um, but that's like when I'm with my, like, with somebody.

00:57:42.410 - 00:57:45.530

Right. So so like, if something happens, they can tell me. Right. Okay.

00:57:45.710 - 00:57:50.900

Uh, but by myself, I usually just, like, have one on, with like, music running and I try to fall asleep or something. Okay.

00:57:50.900 - 00:57:56.270

Yeah. Sounds good. Okay. That makes sense, because, man, those things are, like-- [Loud]

00:57:56.630 - 00:58:02.630

Yeah. And like the-- like the-- I just-- [Oh yeah] Yeah. Have you had experiences with that?

00:58:02.630 - 00:58:08.930

Like with like-- My ear popping? Yeah. For some reason I'm really easily-- I can easily get

00:58:08.930 - 00:58:16.640

swimmer's ears like an ear infection for some reason. [Oof] And it's very brutal and it's-- like it hurts a lot, earaches and it's just like really funny. I'm like-- it--

00:58:16.640 - 00:58:21.680

my ear doesn't even work like that. [Hm] And it's like, still hurts. Just like— Wow, okay.

00:58:21.680 - 00:58:26.390

Interesting. Interesting. Well, I'm glad you were able to go on that trip. [Yeah]

00:58:26.390 - 00:58:35.420

It sounded really cool and I feel like I can see in your future. I'm like, I have a crystal ball right now. [Oh, okay] I can see in your future that that is going

00:58:35.420 - 00:58:43.430

to be great. And you seem like a great leader and just someone that is able to make others feel comfortable. And I can really tell how

00:58:44.540 - 00:58:55.430

this has made you like such an awesome person and, you know, not defining you. But [Yeah] you know, influenced who you are and [Yeah, for sure] at your heart and just, you know, how you

00:58:55.430 - 00:59:06.740

want to impact other people's lives and, you know, are super empathetic and just, you know, want to impact other people in a positive way. So that's really, really, really, really awesome.

00:59:06.980 - 00:59:14.750

Well, if you have anything else you want to talk about, you're more than welcome to. But-- I think that was it. Okay--

00:59:14.900 - 00:59:22.760

I think that's the end of my questions, [Okay] but I want to let you know, so so so nice to get to know you. Um, and before we end, I just want to let

00:59:22.760 - 00:59:28.070

you know that, again, if you ever have any psych questions, you have my email. Okay.

00:59:28.070 - 00:59:36.860

Like, we can exchange information [Okay] if you would like to, um, [Yeah] once the interview is over. But it just-- it was so lovely to meet you and get to know your story. [Yeah]

00:59:36.860 - 00:59:45.380

And thank you so much for being so open with me and just so kind. I really, really enjoyed this, and I want to let you know that to close, I have to read this

00:59:45.380 - 00:59:51.890

little-- [Okay] I just feel so like-- I'm like, whoa, it feels [Okay] so professional. Um, thank you so much for your time.

00:59:51.920 - 01:00:02.990

Doctor Apgar will follow up with you with the audio recording [Mhm] and an edited transcript of the oral history for your review to make sure that you would like it to be [Yeah] included.

01:00:03.080 - 01:00:10.400

And yeah, just thank you so, so, so much for taking time out of your day. I know it's busy and you're leaving for your trip tomorrow.

01:00:10.400 - 01:00:15.440

And so, I really appreciate you coming here and talking to me. Yeah, thank you for having me.

01:00:15.440 - 01:00:17.030

Of course, of course.