FALL

Reflective Question #1
Deaf Seniorsof America
AWARDS
newDeaf
Seniors
horizonsof
America
Fall 2016 Volume 23 Number 3

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When the fall season rolls in, it is time to rake leaves,
just like you are raking for more information.
Rooms at Westin Galleria still are available for those
staying 7 nights during April 2-9, 2017,
or longer. At another hotel, the Westin
Oaks is accepting less than 7 nights or
for those people wanting a less busy
hotel for 7 nights. Both hotels are with-
in walking distance to each other in-
side the mega mall. Modified rooms for handicapped
individuals with scooters are available but limited in
number of rooms.
Important Notice: For those with mobility
and/or visual impairments, please notify
our registration coordinator in advance.
We will work with you for special accom-
modations, but if you do not notify the registration
coordinator in advance, we cannot arrange special
accommodations at the last minute. Do this early.
Since the conference is in April, many
local schools or businesses have char-
tered buses for field trips or retreats in
advance. We encourage you to reserve your tours
soon as possible. Don’t leave yourself out if we can’t
reserve more buses later! See the order form in the
TOURS or EVENTS menu now available on our
web-site (see page 15).
A list of workshops will be posted on
our website. Click on the WORKSHOPS
menu. We hope to have 48 different is-
sues listed. Some examples are eye
diseases, mother nature disasters, car-
diology, finances, travel, genealogy,
deaf/civil rights, law enforcement, communication
technology, neurodegeneration, and more.
If you have free time, you may want to take
a craft class. We will have several creative
crafts for you to make and take home. More
details are on our website.
We are excited to announce another
fundraising project, which benefits the
Houston Deaf Senior Citizens Love
Fund Housing Project . It offers a DSA
Anniversary Quilt. The quilt chronicles
all conference sites and dates. A perfect
keepsake! Donation: $2 or 6 for $10.
The drawing of the winning ticket will be
during the gala banquet. Buy your raffle
tickets through our website.
Our website is at: www.dsa2017houston.org
DSA 2017 Houston
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Welcome to My World Again
New Horizons — Fall 2016
By Tim Jaech
It was the summer of 1987, when I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This is commonly
known as adult onset diabetes. This usually happens to overweight adults in their for-
ties, after gaining weight, not exercising, and/or having a job sitting down — among other
reasons, especially not eating the right foods. It can be genetic, but not always. All of that
was true for me at 45 years old.
I was in Little Rock, Arkansas working as a script writer for Captioned Films for the Deaf
during July 1987. About 30 educators worked together every summer to produce new
captioned educational films for deaf children in the United States. We all worked together
for a month as a close-knit family at the Arkansas School for the Deaf that summer. This
was my seventh year doing this type of work; it was literally a working vacation, as we all
went to various local interest sights during the weekends.
We all stocked our dormitory rooms and kitchens with snacks and our favorite drinks; I had decided to stop drinking
soda pop, bought juice to be healthier, and also bought low-fat snacks. We often ate dinner out in groups, but since we
thought we had “healthy snacks” in the dormitory, we treated ourselves to anything off the menu — brilliant rationale.
Soon, I started feeling more fatigued during the work day and took naps at the end of the work day. Friends would try
to wake me up in time for dinner, but I blew them off, saying I was too tired. I would wake up after two hours at 7 p.m.,
snack and go to bed early. I never got a good night’s sleep because I had to get up during the night to go to the bath-
room. During the night and the rest of the day, I had a huge craving to quench my thirst; more often than not, I drank
juice instead of water — juice was healthier than soda pop, I rationalized. Truth be told, the sugar in juice can be as
bad as in soda pop.
This became a vicious cycle and affected me in more ways than just being tired; my social life that summer was not
normal — I just thought to myself that I would make up for it during the weekends. I struggled that summer with life in
general and thought I was just getting older before my time. Friends and colleagues urged me to see my doctor when
I got back home that summer. I procrastinated and before I knew it I was bogged down with getting staff ready as the
high school principal for the 1987-88 school year.
The first week of school was difficult. I was constantly going to the restroom every hour or so and drinking coffee and
water excessively. Your mind can be your worst enemy since I would blame having to go to the bathroom often on the
amount of water I was drinking. I began eating more food than before because I had such cravings for food during the
day. One day, I met with one of the teachers and at the end of the meeting he remarked he had seen me going past his
classroom quite a bit that week. He asked if I was okay and I told him about the new problems I was experiencing. I
will never forget his comment at the end of that conversation: “Tim...l don’t mean to alarm you, but you sound like you
are diabetic, just like my friend who has the same symptoms you have.”
That was the final straw. I made an appointment with my doctor for the next day and she confirmed I was diabetic
since my blood glucose test number came out to 337. Normal was between 90 and 110 for men my age then. When I
learned about this adult-onset Type 2 diabetes, I found that diabetes will destroy the nerves (neuropathy) of my feet,
hands, and eventually, fingers. Also, high blood glucose (Bg) readings, such as 400, can start damaging your eyesight.
Continued high Bg readings also damages your body’s immune system and you begin getting sick too often.
Our bodies produce natural insulin made by the pancreas organ next to the liver. If you are physically fit, the pancreas
will make enough insulin to control your blood sugar. If you have too much fat, the fat cells will block the natural-
ly-made insulin and you will have problems caused by diabetes.
Doctors will first tell you to see a nutritionist to learn what types of food to avoid. Secondly, they will tell you to exercise
daily at least 45 minutes by walking, to begin with. They probably will put you on prescription medicine to control your
blood sugar. If necessary, they will put you on insulin for daily injections. Historically people — myself included — will
avoid insulin because they thought that you would be stuck with taking insulin for life. That is not necessarily true —
you can get off insulin — if you truly follow the directions your doctor gives you to bring your blood sugar level under
control. Caveat...it is very difficult to do this and most diabetics remain so for the rest of their lives.
Today, I have gone through treatments for traumatic brain injury, fractured vertebrae, colon cancer, and prostate can-
cer. I’ve also lost my gall bladder and lost weight. Both of my feet and legs up to the knee are numb because of diabetic

neuropathy. Because of previous chemotherapy for cancer, all of my fingers and thumbs are numb. Using the computer
keyboard is different. I’ve gone from 100 words per minute to hunting and pecking on my accursed keyboard.
At this writing, I’ve had diabetes for 29 years. My doctors tell me I simply cannot sit in front of my computer for hours
without walking to relieve the difficulty with numb limbs. I love working with my computer as I write columns and
poetry, but I must stop. All of the bodily damage I have cannot be undone. This will be my last column for the New
Horizons and other publications. However, I have agreed to submit my older columns from other publications and my
previously written poetry as re-prints to New Horizons. However, I want to be clear that I appreciate the opportunity I
had to work with two great editors of the New Horizons since 2009 — Ernie Hahn and Susan Sien — Thanks, my good
friends.
Diabetes...Funny zero.
Welcome to my world again and au revoir.
from the new horizons editor:
By now you probably have read Tim’s article on “Diabetes” which led to his difficult decision to resign as a
proofreader of the New Horizons magazine. I was heartbroken when he shared the news with me.
In past few months, Tim and I had been meeting regularly every week since I started doing the New Horizons.
There are so many things I could say about Tim. In short, he has become my mentor and a friend.
Tim’s love for writing will continue to shine through future NH magazines. He showed me pages of printed
materials of his past writings. Tim agreed to reprint his stories and poems which you will continue to enjoy.
My meetings with Tim will continue as we love to “walk the talks.”
By the time you receive the DSA New Horizons Fall issue, we will fast forward to football games, election,
Thanksgiving and the holidays. I wanted to end with a holiday blessing but came across this one and
hope you will appreciate this anonymous poet celebrating the holidays.
-S.
Take time to work - it is the price of success
Take time to think - it is the source of power
Take time to play - it is the secret of perpetual youth
Take time to read - it is the fountain of wisdom
Take time to be friendly - it is the road to happiness
Take time to love and be loved - it is the nourishment of the soul
Take time to share - it is too short a life to be selfish
Take time to laugh - it is the music of the heart
Take time to dream - it is hitching your wagon to a star.
—anonymous

/ DSA New Horizons / Fall 2016
PRESIDENT
Nancy Rarus
dsaprez@verizon.net
VICE PRESIDENT
Alfred Sonnestrahl
sonny@pobox.com
SECRETARY
Elizabeth Pollard
libbypoll@gmail.com
TREASURER
Michael Lockhart
mlockhart@gmail.com
Renwick Dayton
ren_beth@comcast.net
Lance Fischer
dsalance@gmail.com
OFFICERS
EDITOR AND ADVERTISING
Susan Sien
dsaoogle@gmail.com
WRITER/PROOFREADER
Tim Jaech
tubby42jaech@gmail.com
Raymond Kilthau
raymond.kilthau@gmail.com
BOARD MEMBERS
Nuts and
Bolts by
Rarus
I am sure many of us remember when our teachers taught us about
proverbs, idioms, adages, and expressions. I can easily recall my ex-
perience at the beginning of the summer, which made me think of
this proverb, “Birds of a feather flock together.” I had an injury which
made me reach out for help. I got help — plenty of it(!) through con-
versations with friends who are also senior citizens.
I am sure most of you, especially single seniors, know now that we
need to emphasize how important it is to be prepared. This also
includes “young seniors.”
In one conversation with a friend who was and is experiencing loss
of eyesight, he said the most scary feeling was to learn that he was
not prepared. Thus, it has been a mad dash to get himself in a better
situation.
If you are a young senior, I would recommend that you think about
where you are living. Will it still be accessible if you could not walk?
If not, are there minor changes you could start making? Is the toilet
bowl high enough? Are there grab bars strategically placed on walls
to assist you in getting up? Do you have easy access to your VP, or
your TV? Do you have a recliner that will help you get up from sitting?
How will your friends be able to visit you without ringing the doorbell,
forcing you to take 5 minutes to walk to the door to let them in? (I
simply didn’t lock the door!) If you are living in a two-story house, do
you have a sofa bed on the first floor that could serve as a temporary
place to rest or sleep?
As an aside, if ever you end up in a hospital and are not getting inter-
preter services, get the Patient Advocate! No ifs and buts about it.
In another conversation, an interpreter friend had just come from a
workshop and told me something new; that now a fourth item should
be added in preparing for when one departs God’s green earth — your
passwords, in addition to advance directives, will, and funeral plans.
As for advance directives, it goes without saying that you need to be
specific regarding resuscitation. In a recent case of the passing of a
friend, the wife said her husband had said if he could not communi-
cate nor be independent, she should let him go. I thought to
myself — I would add that if I could not see, I would want to go.
The more specific you are, the better for your power of attorney
(POA) representative or your children.
If you are anything like me, my iPhone is within reach
75% of the time. I learned about the ICE app. This
acronym stands for In Case of Emergency. If something
happens to you outside of your home, this app allows for
your emergency information to be available.
A REALITY CHECK: Birds of a feather DO flock together!
next page
Deaf Seniors of America

DSA / Fall 2016 / Page 7
If you haven’t done so yet, start learning how to use Facebook in such a way that your privacy won't be invaded. There
are often video clips or stories that would introduce new ideas for seniors! One such clip was “Granny Pods,”
at: http://www.countryliving.com/home-design/a37788/granny-pods/
Back to that proverb regarding birds of a feather flocking together—I thought of this because it helped that I talked
with other seniors. Like it or not, we all are experiencing something similar — aging!! Many thanks to my feathered
flock of friends for the various tidbits of information. Keep them coming!
Nevertheless, we seniors keep marching on — let’s us all enjoy our golden years! Heaven knows we have a lot of
good memories stored up. Visit them! Share them! See you in Houston.
DSA Board Meeting Highlights
August and September 2016
Compiled by DSA Secretary Elizabeth “Libby” Pollard
August 1, 2016 Video-conference Meeting
• DSA was represented at the 2016 NAD Conference in Phoenix, Arizona in July 2016. Several motions during NAD
Conference that were made may have some effect on DSA. The DSA/NAD partnership was referred to the NAD
Governance Committee for further review and action. The DSA/NAD VRI Task Force Workshop was conducted
by Alfred Sonnenstrahl from DSA and Holly Ketchum from NAD. A good crowd showed up and many
comments were made and noted. The VRI position paper was drawn up by NAD lawyers and approved by
the NAD Board. It will be shared with the DSA Board. The draft of the VRI end user bullet sheet with comments
made at the workshop will also be shared with DSA Board.
• The DSA 2017 Houston Conference planning is going well and the combo tickets will remain at $300 until end of
the year.
• The DSA 2019 Seattle Conference is progressing slowly, but surely. The planning committee will complete the
registration form and registration fees before the end of September, then they will submit the form and fees to DSA
Board for review and input.
• The DSA website project is coming along nicely and still has some issues needing to be “ironed out” before
releasing its final report to DSA members hopefully sometime in October 2016.
September 12, 2016 Video-conference Meeting
• It was agreed that New Horizons will be emailed to the members as soon as the hardcopies of New Horizons are
printed. The members will continue to receive New Horizons via regular mail.
• It was agreed that the members’ full-length obituaries will be printed in New Horizons via hyperlinks, if provided.
• DSA will announce via E-blast that 2016-2017 membership dues will be $10 until the beginning of 2017
Houston Conference.
• It was agreed to ask the members to send DSA the names and locations of senior citizens organizations
that they know in their state or region, so DSA can develop a list of Senior Citizens organizations in the United
States.
• It was agreed to ask the members if they have videos of past DSA conventions, to send the DSA their
copies, so they can be posted on the DSA’s new website.
Pencils have been painted yellow ever since the 1890s. And that bright color isn’t just so
you can find them on your desk more easily! In fact, the yellow pencil has a much deeper
history than you might expect.
During the 1800s, the best graphite in the world came from China. American pencil makers
wanted a special way to tell people that their pencils contained Chinese graphite.
In China, the color yellow is associated with royalty and respect. American pencil man-
ufacturers began painting their pencils bright yellow to communicate this “regal” feeling
and association with China. However, according to Henry Petroski’s history of the pencil,
the European producer Koh-I-Noor was the first to introduce a yellow pencil.
The rest, as they say, is history. Today, a majority of basic hexagonal graphite writing pen-
cils sold in the United States are painted yellow and what was once perceived as “regal”
has now become “common”.
THE YELLOW PENCIL http://pencils.com/why-are-pencils-yellow/

Treasurer's Report by Michael Lockhart, Treasurer
For the period of January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016
RECEIPTS
ADVERTISING REVENUE 800.00$
INTEREST/DIVIDENDS/CAPITAL GAINS 664.08$
DONATIONS RECEIVED 435.00$
MEMBERSHIP DUES 1,232.00$
TOTAL RECEIPTS 3,131.08$
DISBURSEMENTS
ADVERTISEMENT- PROGRAM BOOK 100.00$
GOVERNMENT FEES 66.25$
INSURANCE- TREASURER'S BOND 102.32$
INSURANCE- PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY 991.00$
INSURANCE- PERSONAL LIABILITY 926.00$
INTERNET SERVICES 122.63$
POSTAGE 115.85$
PRINTING- NEW HORIZONS WINTER 2015-16 2,142.82$
PRINTING- NEW HORIZONS SPRING 2016 2,625.35$
REFRESHMENTS 44.32$
REGISTRATION FEE- HOUSTON COMBO 250.00$
SUPPLIES 8.47$
WEB DESIGN PROJECT 2,000.00$
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 9,495.01$
NET INCOME (Total Receipts less Total Disbursements) (6,363.93)$
STARTING BALANCE (JANUARY 1, 2016) 99,023.78$
NET INCOME (6,363.93)$
ENDING BALANCE (JUNE 30, 2016) 92,659.85$
CHECKING ACCOUNT- BANK OF AMERICA 36,415.42$
PRINTING ESCROW- MODERN LITHO 1,000.00$
BOND MARKET FUND- VANGUARD INC 15,789.32$
WELLINGTON FUND-VANGUARD INC 39,455.11$
TOTAL CASH ASSETS 92,659.85$
PREPARED BY MICHAEL LOCKHART/ JULY 15, 2016
AUDITED BY SUSAN LIESE AND JOEL SILBERSTEIN / AUGUST 11, 2016
THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS!!!
Deaf Seniors of America wishes to
acknowledge the generosity of our
members and friends for their support:
Kathy Dunaway
Donald and Agnes Padden
Larry Puthoff
Nancy Rarus
Kerstin's Deaf TravelPage 8 / DSA New Horizons / Fall 2016

DSA BYLAWS NOTICE
By: Andy Lange, DSA Law Committee Chair
In preparation for the 2017 DSA Conference in Houston,Texas, for April 2-7, 2017, notice is hereby
given:
The DSA Bylaws, approved by the membership at the Asheville, North Carolina conference (August
2015), requires that any amendments, additions, or modifications to the DSA Bylaws follow a time-
line as established in the bylaws.
The bylaws regarding amendments read:
ARTICLE XIV: Amendments
Section 1:
The bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present during the DSA Business
Meeting at any regular conference.
Section 2:
Proposed amendments offered prior to a conference shall be submitted in writing to the Law Com-
mittee on revisions of bylaws at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the date of the confer-
ence, a brief of such amendment as approved by the committee shall be made public in the issue
of New Horizons prior to the conference.
Section 3: Suspensions
These Bylaws may be suspended for a specific purpose by four-fifths (4/5) vote of those present
and voting at any regular conference.
Section 4: Editing Changes
The organization Secretary is permitted to make corrections of non-substantive errors in spelling,
grammar or numbering without amendment, subject to approval of the DSA Board.
Therefore, 120 Days before Tuesday, April 4, 2017 (Opening Ceremony of Houston DSA Conference)
is January 21, 2017.
The DSA Law committee is tasked with this responsibility. All proposed amendments, are required
to be submitted to the committee by January 21, 2017 for consideration at the Houston DSA Con-
ference. Proposals received after this date, will be carried over to the next DSA Conference in 2019
(Seattle, Washington).
Please submit your proposals to andylange@juno.com for consideration by the committee. Pro-
posed amendments will be presented at the DSA business meeting on Saturday, April 8, 2017.
Proposals for the DSA Houston conference will be published in the New Horizons issue prior to the
conference. Members in good standing have received the Fall 2015 issue which contains the by-
laws as amended at the Ashville Conference. Should you require a copy of the bylaws and do not
have this issue, you may request a copy by sending an email message to andylange@juno.com.
[editor’s note: The DSA bylaws are published on pages 10-13 of this issue]

Bylaws
-Deaf Seniors of America “DSA”-
As Amended By The Membership At Asheville, NC Biennial Conference – August, 2015
ARTICLE I Name
The name of this association shall be Deaf Seniors of America, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as "DSA."
ARTICLE II Object
Section 1:
The object of DSA shall be to serve as an advocate for deaf seniors by providing information and educational programs designed to
enhance their physical, economic and social wellbeing; and to otherwise promote the common interests of deaf seniors.
Section 2:
DSA shall not engage in partisan political activity.
Section 3:
No part of the net earnings of DSA shall inure to the members, directors or officers except for reasonable reimbursement for expenses
incurred in performance of official DSA duties. Reimbursement for specific duties assigned to a DSA member by the DSA President,
with approval of the Board, is permissible.
ARTICLE III Membership
Section 1:
Active membership shall be open at any time to any deaf persons 50 years or older residing in the United States of America.
Section 2:
Associate membership shall be open to any hearing person or any deaf non-resident of the United States of America who support the
object and goals of DSA. Associate members shall have all privileges of Active membership except holding office at any time.
Section 3: Honorary Members
Honorary membership status shall be conferred by biennial national conference resolution or by the Board to individuals in recognition
of their distinguished service to the DSA. Honorary members are not eligible to hold office, unless such individuals are DSA members
in good standing.
ARTICLE IV Dues
Section 1:
Membership Dues shall be set by resolution at national conferences.
Section 2:
Membership Dues shall be effective from national conference up to the next national conference.
Section 3:
The Board shall determine policy and procedures for collecting dues.
Article V: Bona-fide Organizational Membership
Section 1: Organizational Membership w
There shall be two categories of bona-fide organizational membership: not-for-profit and for- profit.
Section 2: Organizational Membership Fees
Organizational Memberships and fees shall be approved by the Board.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Biennial Meetings 
Meetings of DSA shall be held at national conferences held in odd numbered years at sites to be determined by the Board.
Section 2: Board Meetings
The Board shall meet at least twice between DSA Conferences, or upon the request of the President.
Section 3: Quorum in Board Meetings
The majority of Board members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4: Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the President with concurrence of the Board or when so requested by one-tenth of all active
members. Business conducted during special meetings shall be confined to the purpose of the special meeting.
Section 5: Executive Session
The Board shall convene in executive session where circumstances warrant, i.e., when discussing matters of sensitive, personnel, or
litigious nature.
Section 6: Bids for National Conference
Bids for national conferences may be submitted for vote during business meeting at a given conference. Final approval, however,
shall be made by the Board. If no bids, then the board assumes responsibility.
Page 10 / DSA New Horizons / Fall 2016

Section 7: Conference Format
The biennial national conference format and duration shall be proposed by the Host City at least one year in advance.
Section 8: Call to Conference
The President of the Board shall issue an official call to the biennial national conference at least six (6) months in advance.
Section 9: Business Quorum
One hundred fifty (150) members of DSA registered during conferences shall constitute a quorum for
conducting business.
Section 10: Electronic Meetings
Meetings of the Board may be held electronically in accordance with the following guidelines and requirements:
a. Electronic Board meetings may be conducted by teleconferencing or computer conference.
b. In any electronic Board meeting, at least majority members of the Board must be present.
c. So long as a quorum of the Board is physically present for a meeting, other members of the Board
may participate in the meeting electronically without a formal approval process. If less than a
quorum of the Board is physically present at a Board meeting, any member of the Board may request
the electronic Board meeting and the meeting must be approved by a quorum of the Board. Approval
may occur at the Board meeting in question.
d. DSA Members are not entitled to request electronic meetings of the Board or to monitor or participate
in Board meetings from remote locations, unless invited to do so by the Board.
Notice of each electronic Board meeting will be provided at least 24 hours prior to the electronic meeting.
The notice will include a description of electronic means to be used to connect remote to the Board meeting.
ARTICLE VII: Board Of Directors
Section 1: Board
The Board of Directors hereinafter shall be referred to as “Board.” The Board hall be composed of the Officers and three (3) Board
Members. The board may also include up to two (2) additional members at large.
Section 2: Authority
The Board shall have authority to make decisions between national conferences in accordance with the object of DSA and as needs
may arise.
Section 3: Members at Large
The Board shall reserve the right to appoint up to two members at large to serve a term of two years.
Section 4: Resignation
Resignations must be submitted in writing to the President or the Secretary.
Section 5: Removal from Office
Elected and appointed Board members may be removed for failure to carry out their duties or for other good and sufficient reason by
a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Board members present and voting.
ARTICLE VIII: Officers/Terms
Section 1: Officers
The Officers of DSA shall be active members and shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a
Treasurer, and three (3) Board Members.
a) The Officers except the treasurer shall be elected at each national conference to serve two (2) year terms.
b) The treasurer shall be elected to serve a four (4) year term.
c) Any Officer is eligible to serve three – two year terms consecutively in the same office.
d) One of the three Board members shall be elected to a six (6) year term at national conferences. There
will be two (2) other Board members serving the two (2) and four (4) remaining years respectively.
e) All Board members are required to have access to internet services and video phones.
Section 2: Vacancies
Vacancies in offices and board membership between national conferences shall be filled by the Board.
Section 3: Eligibility
Candidate(s) will be eligible to run for any office after attending at least one prior DSA Conference.
Article IX: Duties of Officers and Board Members
Section 1: General Duties:
a) The Board shall have general control of the affairs of the DSA between biennial national conferences.
b) The Board shall undertake actions to ensure the financial health and growth of the DSA.
c) The Board shall have the power to fill Board vacancies except for the office of President as they may occur between biennial
national conferences, to appropriate money from the operating fund, and to ensure that the current expenditures of the DSA shall
not at any time exceed the regular income for each fiscal year.
page 2 of 4

of 4
Section 2:
The President shall:
a) Be the chief spokesperson for the DSA and shall chair business meetings of the biennial national conference, the Board and shall
have general care.
b) With the approval of the DSA Board, shall appoint the chair of each standing committee, other than the Finance Committee.
c) Have a basic knowledge of parliamentary procedures.
d) Be an ex-officio of all DSA committees.
Section 3:
The Vice President shall:
serve at any time the President is unable to serve, or when the office of the President becomes vacant.
Section 4:
The Secretary shall:
a) Record in the minutes of all DSA meetings of the Board and of the conference.
b) Keep the minutes.
c) Prepare or assist the president in preparing the agenda for meetings.
d) Send the Conference proceedings to the Editor to print in the New Horizons
Section 5:
The Treasurer shall:
a) Be a custodian of all funds of the DSA.
b) Keep an accurate list of members in good standing.
c) Send an itemized semi-annual report of receipts and disbursements to the Editor to print in the New Horizons twice a year.
d) Serve as chair of the Finance Committee.
Section 6: Executive Director. 
The Board shall be empowered to appoint an Executive Director to serve as the chief administrative officer of the DSA. The
Executive Director shall report to the President of the DSA and shall serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Board.
Section 7: Assumption of Office. 
Elected Board Member shall assume their respective duties immediately after adjournment of the biennial national conference.
Appointed Board Members shall assume their respective duties immediately upon accepting appointment by the Board.
Section 8: Compensation
Members of the Board shall serve without receiving compensation except for standard expense reimbursement for costs incurred
in discharge of duties.
Article X: Conflict of Interest
All persons either elected or appointed to an office (including but not limited to any Board or Committee members), prior to accep-
tance and during tenure of that position, shall consider each item of business, where they have a vote or decision authority, to deter-
mine if a real or perceived conflict exists with the interests of the Organization. A conflict of interest is defined as any situation in
which a member’s decisions or votes could substantially and directly affect the member’s professional, personal, financial or busi-
ness interests. In the event that a person nominated for or holding an office finds himself or herself in such a position, he or she shall
promptly disclose the conflict of interest to the Board and recuse himself or herself at any Board or committee meeting from
any deliberations or vote on the matter giving rise to the conflict of interest. A copy of the disclosure statement shall be reviewed by
Board.
Article XI: Indemnification
The DSA shall indemnify any Board member or employee of the DSA against expenses actually incurred by such person in connection
with the defense of any civil action, suit, or proceeding in which such person is made a party by reason of being or having been such
Board member or employee and is found to be not liable. Such indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
which such Board member or employee may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of the Board, or otherwise.
ARTICLE XII: Committees
Section 1: Standing Committees:
a) Standing committees to be appointed by the President shall be Ways and Means, Resolutions, Nominations and Election, Law,
Editorial Board, and Awards.
b) Other committees may be appointed by the President for stated purposes
Section 2: Ad Hoc and Special Committees. 
The Board Members may also form ad hoc or special committees as needed, with chair of each to be appointed by the President.

page 4 of 4
ARTICLE XIII: Official Publication
Section 1:
DSA shall have an official publication, New Horizons. It shall be sent to all members at least four (4) times a year.
Section 2:
a) The Board shall have an Editorial Committee assigned as a standing committee (Under Article XII).
b) DSA shall have an Editorial Committee appointed by the President with the approval of the Board.
c) The Editorial Committee shall develop guidelines regarding its duties, functions, and operations in a
committee policy manual subject to approval by the Board.
Section 3:
All policies of the New Horizons shall be consistent with the aims and objectives of the DSA.
ARTICLE XIV: Amendments
Section 1:
The bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present during the DSA Business Meeting
at any regular conference.
Section 2:
Proposed amendments offered prior to a conference shall be submitted in writing to the Law Committee on
revisions of bylaws at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the date of the conference, a brief of such
amendment as approved by the committee shall be made public in the issue of New Horizons prior to the
conference.
Section 3: Suspensions 
These Bylaws may be suspended for a specific article and/or section by four-fifths (4/5) vote of those present
and voting at any biennial conference.
Section 4: Editing Changes
The organization Secretary is permitted to make corrections of non-substantive errors in spelling, grammar
or numbering without amendment, subject to approval of the Board.
ARTICLE XV: Parliamentary Authority
Section 1: Robert’s Rules of Order. 
Unless otherwise provided for in these bylaws, the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised
shall be the parliamentary authority of the DSA.
ARTICLE XVI: Dissolution
Upon the affirmative vote of a three-fourths (3/4) of the membership of the DSA, DSA shall be dissolved or
otherwise shall cease to exist and all assets of the DSA shall revert to 501(c)(3) organizations whose primary
object is the interest of deaf senior citizens
CERTIFICATE BY SECRETARY
I certify that I am the duly elected Secretary of the Deaf Seniors Of America Association; that these Amended
and Restated bylaws are the Bylaws of this organization as adopted by the affirmative vote of the members
present at the DSA Business Meeting, August 20, 2015 Biennial Conference held in Asheville, NC.
_______________________________
Nancy Kensicki, DSA Secretary

Registration Form
14th Biennial Deaf Seniors of America
Houston, TX
April 2—9, 2017
Conference Registration Includes:
 Registration fee
 DSA Membership dues for 2017-2019
 Pre-conference information and updates
 Program book
 Admission to exhibits, workshops, meetings, reception and
banquet (gala) with entertainment
 Daily conference newsletters
Date
Amount paid must match date amount due.
Check/MO
August 23, 2015 — December 31, 2015 $250
January 1, 2016 — December 31, 2016 $300
July 1, 2016 — December 31, 2016 $350
January 1, 2017 — AT DOOR $400
Registration Policy and Information
NOTE: Please read the following policy and information
carefully before signing.
PAYMENTS: You can register using a personal check, cash-
ier's check or money order. Make checks payable to HDSCLF/
DSA 2017 Houston. After February 02, 2017, no personal
checks will be accepted.
DO NOT SEND CASH BY MAIL.
CONFIRMATION: A confirmation letter with ID number
assigned to you will be emailed or mailed after payments are
received. Please indicate your ID number in all correspond-
ence with Registration Coordinator. Driver's license or
personal identification card is required to be presented at
the conference registration booth.
RETURNED (BOUNCED) CHECKS: Service fee is $30.00. Your
registration will be processed after payment of the service
fee and paid check.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS DUE TO HOSPITALIZATION
OR DEATH: Registration form is non-refundable after Febru-
ary 02, 2017. There are two exceptions— hospitalization or
death. In case of hospitalization after February 02, 2017, we
will deduct 50% of your paid registration form and $20 DSA
membership dues for 2017-2019. We require an appropriate
medical document. If you cancel before February 02, 2017
due to doctor’s order, the regular cancellation refund formu-
la as shown below will be used. In the event of registrant's
death, we will refund registration in full to the family after
we receive a copy of death certificate or an obituary notice.
We must receive all requests for refund no later than May
09, 2017.
NON-TRANSFERABLE: Registration form is not transferable.
If it is sold or exchanged by any unauthorized parties prior to
or during the conference, it will not be honored.
LOST BADGES/WRISTBANDS: Processing fee for lost badges
and/or wristbands is $150. This fee is not refundable if
found.
MAILING ADDRESS/E-MAIL ADDRESS/VIDEOPHONE
NUMBER/TEXT NUMBER: If there are any changes to your
contact address or numbers, please notify the Registration
Coordinator as soon as possible.
Mail this form with payment to HDSCLF/DSA 2017 Houston:
P.O. Box 130705
Houston, TX 77219-0705
For more information about registration, contact:
Yvonne Butler
DSA2017Reg@gmail.com
Name:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
E-Mail Address:
VP: Text Number:
Payment Method and Checkout:
 Check  Cashier’s Check  Money Order
(Payable to HDSCLF/DSA 2017 Houston)
By signature, Registrant agrees to abide by Conference rules/regulations, and agrees HDSCLF &
DSA are not responsible for safekeeping of, damage to, or loss of any personal property under
control of Registrant. Registrant hereby agrees to hold harmless the HDSCLF and DSA, their
contractors, their employees/volunteers from all cost, injury & damage incurred by any of the
above, and from any other injury or damage to any person or property, any of which is caused
by an activity, condition or event arising out of the performance, preparation for performance
or nonperformance of any provision of this agreement by Houston Deaf Senior Citizens Love
Fund, Inc. (HDSCLF) and Deaf Seniors of America, Inc. (DSA).
I have read and understand the terms outlined on this form.
Signature (required):
___________________________________________
Date:
_____________
I give DSA 2017 Houston conference committee permission to list my name
on the website. Yes  No 
Cancellation Refund Formula
VALUE
PRICE
BEFORE
03/02/16
BEFORE
09/02/16
BEFORE
02/02/17
AFTER
02/02/17
$250 $200 $143 $105 NO REFUND
$300 $250 $175 $130 NO REFUND
$350 $300 $208 $155 NO REFUND
$400 NO REFUND
Note: The $20 DSA membership dues for
2017-2019 are not part of your refund.
Please print clearly. (one form per person)
www.dsa2017houston.org

Pulled Pork
Deaf Seniors GotTalent

The Distinguished Service Award nominees may
or may not be a member of the DSA organization.
Nominees:
• should have a longstanding involvement with
a deaf seniors organization
• must have served voluntarily and their type and length
of service must be indicated
• may be deaf or hearing
• living or deceased DSA ORGANIZATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
DSA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Nominees need to show proof of outstanding service by a group
benefiting deaf seniors by submitting:
• documents from newspapers, newsletters,or website content, supporting the group
or organization being recommended
• a letter from an organization by its president, or at least two letters from the
member of an organization, other than person making the recommendation
Ralph H. White Extra Mile Award nominees must be members of the DSA
Nominees:
• who have made significant contributions to deaf seniors
• must have served voluntarily and their type and length of service must be indicated
• may be deaf or hearing
• may be living or deceased
Ralph H. White Extra Mile Award
Person/ Organization being nominated: ______________________________for following award :
(CHECK ONLY ONE BOX)
DSA Distinguished Service DSA Organizational Achievement Award Ralph H. White Extra Mileqqq
Why have you chosen this person or organization/group? Any documentation of works completed?
(copies from newsletter(s)? newspaper(s)? or at least two other letters from the community)
attach if you want to share more
Nominee’s email address:______________________________________ vp:__________________________ text: ______________________________
Person’s name making the nomination: ________________________________________________________________________________________
address:_______________________________________________________________city:_____________________________state/zip:_____________
email:_________________________________________________ vp: __________________________________________ text:__________________________
PleasemailormakecopyofthisnominationpagetoRenwickDayton.
Renwick Dayton
1531 NE Greensword Dr.
Hillsboro, OR 97124-6138
If you have any questions:
email: ren_beth@comcast.net / vp: (503) 828-9165
DSA 2017 AWARD NOMINEES
DSA awards are presented at the Biennial Conference in Houston, April 2017
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2016
WANTED!

Ron Burdett Honored at Gallaudet University
On Sept. 29, 2016, Gallaudet hon-
ored Ronald C. Burdett, Deaf com-
munity leader and vice president of
community relations at Sorenson
Communications, by naming a
campus room in his honor.
Throughout his career, Burdett has
worked within the Deaf community
and has particularly enjoyed working
with students at many levels. A graduate of Gallaudet
University, Burdett worked at Stanford University and
later at Ohlone College as the dean of Deaf studies and
special services. At the same time, he served as pres-
ident of the California Association Post-Education of
the Disabled, which oversaw 107 community colleges,
eight California state universities and three universities
of California.
After retiring from Ohlone College and prior to coming
to Sorenson Communications, Burdett became director
of the Southern Utah Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Pro-
gram under the state Division of Services to the Deaf
and Hard-of-Hearing.
As the vice president of community relations at Soren-
son Communications, Burdett attended more than 350
Deaf community gatherings in more than 150 cities,
sharing information about new communication tech-
nologies and services.
Burdett also worked with students at their schools,
providing training about how to best use Video Relay
Service (VRS) to enhance their
future after high school gradua-
tion, including how to apply and
interview for post-graduation em-
ployment. Over the past decade
at Sorenson Communications,
Burdett built and maintained re-
lationships with key government
organizations, including the Fed-
eral Communications Commis-
sion (FCC), to ensure that
Sorenson Video Relay Services®
Griswold Home Care (blog): Seniors and Voting
Trends Issues that Matter to Them / August 2016
As the race for President heats up again, we thought it
would be interesting to take a look at the role our seniors
play in elections. How do they vote? What motivates
them to stay involved? How much of the electorate do
they account for?
Conventional wisdom has always been that older adults
vote in greater percentages. But do those voter statistics
hold true as Baby Boomers begin to retire?
A U.S. News Money Report examined voter trends in the
2010 election and found:
• The highest voter turnout was adults age 65 and older.
61% of our seniors voted.
•Young adults had the worst voting record. Just 21% of
adults between the ages of 18 and 24 showed up and
voted.
•Age 45 seems to be the tipping point in voter turnout.
Only 37% of adults 25 to 44 voted compared with 54%
of people between the age of 45 and 64 who cast a
ballot
•The 2012 Presidential Election showed seniors turning
out in even higher numbers. 70% of older adults voted,
compared with fewer than 60% of the overall population.
The statistics seem to indicate the older you are, the
more likely you are to vote. Older voters show up in
greater numbers for a variety of reasons. Among them
are:
•Protect their Social Security and Medicare. For retirees,
maintaining these benefits is a driving force that
motivates them to vote. According to the AARP Public
Policy Institute, Social Security saved 22 million people
—about 40% of our seniors — from falling below the
poverty line in 2013. The same holds true for Medicare.
Without this benefit, the cost of health care would be
out of reach for many.
•Seniors stay put in their homes. This generation of
older adults is less likely to move from one home to
another. Many have lived in the same house for several
decades. They register to vote and know where to
vote.
It’s more difficult for young adults who have to register
to vote and track down where to go to vote each time
they move.
•Sense of duty. On the whole, seniors who make up the
older generation feel a strong sense patriotism. Voting
is both a privilege and a duty for them.
•More free time. Another reason older adults show up to
vote in greater numbers than their middle-aged children
is they have more free time. They aren’t working and
juggling the demands of raising a family. A trip to the
polls with peers often turns in to a social outing that is
planned weeks in advance. DSA Fall 2016 Page 17

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Position requires excellent communication skills and fluency in American Sign Language.
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Remember these
comics, Classics?
Mad magazines?
How many of us
learned to read with
these “stuff?”
How many of you still have comics or MAD magazines
before 1980’s ? It is worth a lot of money if you look
up Internet! http://www.comiclink.com/forsale.asp
DSA Fall 2016 Page 19

THE SILENT
GENERATION
born between
1923 -1945
BABY BOOMER
GENERATION
GENERATION X
born between
born between
born between
1980 -19941965-19791946 -1964
“MILLENNIALS”
GENERATION Y
YAn unknown author wrote the article (see next page), "We are the Last Ones." The author
described his view of the world based on his life experiences during his generation. This
generation is known as the “Silent Generation” or “Traditionalist Generation,” of people
who were born between 1922-1945.
Sociologists, researchers, and other people have defined one generation to the next gener-
ation by its customs, attitudes, historical significance, politics, and education.
Wikipedia further describes today’s use of the term, generation gap as being a perceived
gap between younger people and their parents, as well as their grandparents.
The Internet has hundreds of different generational charts that define generations. There are
no standard definitions for when an age begins or ends. Down below is a chart from one of
the many examples.
Generation
Characteristics
Looking
Back
World Wars
Atomic Age
Cold War
Civil Rights
Vietnam War
Sexual Revolution
Space Age
Aids
Recession
Soaring Divorce Rates
Digital Age / MTV
Terrorism (9/11)
Iraq/Afghanistan wars
Global Economy
Characteris-
tics
Command and
control
Self-sacrifice
Directive
“Me” Generation
Hippies
Experimenter
Judgmental
Fought inequality, gen-
der, and racism
Optimistic
Disillusioned cynics
Cautious and skeptical
Searching for self
“Latchkey” Generation
Independent
Competitive
Well-educated
Open-minded
Self-assured
Hopeful /Determined
Likes Respect for Authority
Family
Community Support
Responsibility
Work Ethic
Can-Do-Attitude
Freedom
Multi-tasking
Work-Life Balance
Public Activism
eLearning
Social Media
Learning
Environment
Military Style Classroom style Round-table style Lounge style
Financial
Values
No credit Credit Life-stage debt Life-style debt
Money Put it way Buy now, pay later Cautious, save,save Earn to spend
Work Ethic Respected authority
Hard work
Loyal
Workaholics
Desire quality, ques-
tion authority
Eliminate the task
Self-reliant
Want structure
What’s next?
Multitasking
Entrepreneurial
Education is ..a dream ..a birthright ..a way to get there ..an incredible expense
Interesting excerpts from the Pew Research Center / August 26, 2016 : FactTank
This may be the last presidential election dominated by Boomers and prior generations. For the past few decades,
presidential elections have been dominated by voters of the Baby Boom and previous generations, who are esti-
mated to have cast a majority of the votes. But their election reign may end this November, according to a new Pew
Research Center analysis of census data.
But the ranks of Millennial and Generation X eligible voters have been growing, thanks to the aging-in of Millennials
and naturalizations among foreign-born adults. These generations matched Boomers and previous generations as
a share of eligible voters in 2012 and are now estimated to outnumber them. As of July, an estimated 126 million
Millennial and Gen X adults were eligible to vote (56% of eligible voters), compared with only 98 million Boomers
and other adults from prior generations, or 44% of the voting-eligible population.

We Are the Last Ones
[Author Unknown - Source Unknown]
Born in the 1930s and early 40s, we exist as a very
special age cohort. We are the Silent Generation. We
are the smallest number of children born since the early
1900s. We are the "last ones." We are the last genera-
tion, climbing out of the depression who can remember
the winds of war and the impact of a world at war, which
rattled the structure of our daily lives for years.

We are the last to remember ration books for every-
thing from gas to sugar to shoes to stoves. We saved tin
foil and poured fat into tin cans. We hand mixed ’white
stuff’ with ‘yellow stuff’ to make fake butter. We saw cars
up on blocks because tires weren't available. We can
remember milk being delivered to our house early in the
morning and placed in the “milk box” on the porch. [A
friend’s mother delivered milk in a horse drawn cart.]
We are the last to hear Roosevelt's radio assurances
and to see gold stars in the front windows of our griev-
ing neighbors. We can also remember the parades on
August 15, 1945; VJ Day. We saw the 'boys' home from
the war build their Cape Cod style houses, pouring the
cellar, tar papering it over and living there until they could
afford the time and money to build it out.
We are the last generation who spent childhood without
television; instead we imagined what we heard on the
radio. As we all like to brag, with no TV, we spent our
childhood "playing outside until the street lights came
on."
We did play outside and we did play on our own. There
was no little league. There was no city playground for
kids. To play in the water, we turned the fire hydrants on
and ran through the spray.
The lack of television in our early years meant, for most
of us, that we had little real understanding of what the
world was like. Our Saturday afternoons, if at the movies,
gave us newsreels of the war and the holocaust sand-
wiched in between westerns and cartoons.
Telephones were one to a house, often shared and hung
on the wall. Computers were called calculators and
were hand cranked; typewriters were driven by pound-
ing fingers, throwing the carriage, and changing the ink
ribbons. The ‘internet’ and ‘GOOGLE’ were words that
didn’t exist. Newspapers and magazines were written
for adults.  We are the last group who had to find out for
ourselves. As we grew up, the country was exploding
with growth.
The G.I. Bill gave returning veterans the means to get an
education and spurred colleges to grow. VA loans fanned
a housing boom. Pent up demand coupled with new
installment payment plans put factories to work. New
highways would bring jobs and mobility. The veterans
joined civic clubs and became active in politics.
In the late 40s and early 50's the country seemed to lie
in the embrace of brisk but quiet order as it gave birth
to its new middle class (which became known as ‘Baby
Boomers). The radio network expanded from 3 stations
to thousands of stations.
The telephone started to become a common method of
communications and "Faxes" sent hard copy around the
world. Our parents were suddenly free from the confines
of the depression and the war and they threw themselves
into exploring opportunities they had never imagined. We
weren't neglected, but we weren't today's all-consuming
family focus. They were glad we played by ourselves 'un-
til the street lights came on’. They were busy discovering
the post war world.
Most of us had no life plan, but with the unexpected
virtue of ignorance and an economic rising tide we sim-
ply stepped into the world and started to find out what
the world was about. We entered a world of overflowing
plenty and opportunity; a world where we were wel-
comed. Based on our naïve belief that there was more
where this came from, we shaped life as we went. We
enjoyed a luxury; we felt secure in our future.
Of course, just as today, not all Americans shared in this
experience. Depression poverty was deep rooted. Polio
was still a crippler. The Korean War was a dark presage
in the early 50s and by mid-decade school children were
ducking under desks. Russia built the “Iron Curtain”
and China became Red China. Eisenhower sent the first
'advisors' to Vietnam; and years later, Johnson invented
a war there. Castro set up camp in Cuba and Khrushchev
came to power.
We are the last generation to experience an interlude
when there were no existential threats to our homeland.
We came of age in the 40s and early 50s. The war was
over and the cold war, terrorism, Martin Luther King, civil
rights, technological upheaval, “global warming”, and
perpetual economic insecurity had yet to haunt life with
insistent unease.
Only our generation can remember both a time of apoc-
alyptic war and a time when our world was secure and
full of bright promise and plenty. We have lived through
both. We grew up at the best possible time, a time when
the world was getting better; not worse.
We are the Silent Generation; “the last ones.”
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Expansion of Social Security
New York Times / July 15, 2016
ANA PANARITES was about to make a midlife career
shift in 2010 when her father died. At age 50, she had
completed a master’s degree in cultural diplomacy at
the University of Southern California and was looking for
a position in the nonprofit sector. That plan ground to a
halt when she moved back to Maryland, where she grew
up, to take care of her mother.
“Like a lot of caregivers, I had no idea what I was getting
into,” she said. “I wound up spending so much time tak-
ing care of her, there was no time to take care of myself,
let alone produce an income.”
Ms. Panarites has no regrets about the three years she
spent caring for her mother, who now lives in an assist-
ed-living facility in Florida. On the contrary, she said, “it’s
one of the most important things I’ve ever done.”
But the detour damaged not just her career prospects
but her future retirement security as well. Her annual So-
cial Security income — projected at $18,500 if she files
for benefits when she reaches full retirement age in 2026
— will be at least 20 percent less than she could have
expected had she not left the work force, according to a
rough estimate from the Social Security Administration.
A growing number of legislators and policy makers
would like Ms. Panarites and other caregivers to receive
some relief as part of a broader effort to expand and
modernize Social Security benefits.
Until recently, all the talk in Washington regarding Social
Security was about cuts. But a grass-roots progressive
coalition began campaigning for expansion nearly three
years ago, and it has succeeded in moving the concept
to the center of the Democratic Party.
Expansion was a popular theme of Senator Bernie
Sanders’s presidential campaign; now Hillary Clinton
has moved into the expansion camp, saying she would
support higher benefits for caregivers and widows and
widowers.
Advocates were also elated recently when President
Obama endorsed improving benefits. That was a shift
from his earlier support for limited cuts at a time when
he was hoping, in vain, to reach a grand fiscal bargain
with Republicans in Congress.
“We can’t afford to weaken Social Security,” Mr. Obama
said in a speech on June 1. “We should be strengthening
Social Security. And not only do we need to strengthen
its long-term health, it’s time we finally made Social Se-
curity more generous, and increased its benefits so that
today’s retirees and future generations get the dignified
retirement that they’ve earned.”
The changing political winds have emboldened those
who say that fears that Social Security will go bankrupt
are overblown.
“I’m delighted people are arguing for expansion,” says
Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement
Research at Boston College. “I’ve always been against
cutbacks, so now I’m in the center of the debate.”
More than 20 expansion bills have been floated by law-
makers, with proposals ranging from targeted increases
for vulnerable retirees to larger increases in benefits for
all retirees. At the same time, many of those pushing for
increased benefits support dealing with Social Security’s
long-range imbalance by making cuts elsewhere and
raising revenue to pay for both expansion and by closing
the financing gap.
The combined trust funds for Social Security’s retirement
and disability benefits are projected to be depleted in
2034, according to the annual report of the program’s
trustees. At that point, Social Security itself would have
sufficient revenue from current taxes to pay only 79 per-
cent of promised benefits.
That problem could be avoided if Congress agreed to
raise additional revenue, impose benefit cuts or do some
combination of the two.
Some targeted expansion recommendations come from
centrist camps. For example, a recently issued report on
retirement security by the Bipartisan Policy Center called
for adjusting Social Security’s progressive benefit struc-
ture to deliver higher amounts to lower-income retirees.
The changes would increase benefits by $176 a month to
the median recipient who files at full retirement age — an
increase of 10 percent on a $1,700 benefit.
The policy center called for lifting Social Security’s mini-
mum benefit for very-low-income seniors, and enhancing
the program’s survivor benefit. Currently, widows and
widowers receive either their own benefit or 100 percent
of a deceased spouse’s benefit, whichever is higher;
under the B.P.C.’s proposal, survivors would receive their
own benefit plus 75 percent of their deceased spouse’s
benefit.
At the same time, the center recommended two across-
the-board benefit cuts: gradually raising the normal
retirement age and adopting a less generous annual
cost-of-living adjustment.
“We’re really trying to show solutions that can emerge
when you put people with very different ideological
perspectives in a room and let them negotiate for two
years,” said Shai Akabas, director of fiscal policy at the
center.
As for caregivers like Ms. Panarites, some proposals
would help bolster their retirement income by giving
them extra credit for years devoted to taking care of a
parent or child in need. Social Security benefits are de-
termined by a formula based on the average of a work-
er’s highest 35 years of lifetime earnings.
Page 22 DSA New Horizons Fall 2016

Name Death Date Age Residence School
Richard A. Scofield, Sr. March 16, 2016 82 Minneapolis, MN North Dakota S.D.
Gallaudet University
Deanna Duncan Taylor June 7, 2016 70 Frederick, MD NCSD (Morganton)
Virginia S.D.
Lyla L. Northcutt July 4, 2016 82 Windham, NH Minnesota S.D.
Yerker Johan Olaf Anderson July 18, 2016 86 Frederick, MD Manillaskolan, Stockholm
Billie Ruth Fulkerson Kidwell August 22, 2016 90 Vienna, VA Tennessee S.D.
t In Remembrance - Deceased DSA Members t
The Tax Implications
of Selling Your
Primary Residence
By Kramer Wealth Managers
Whenever you’re selling property or investments that
have appreciated in value, taxes are a big consideration
in the timing of the sale. Selling at the wrong time can
lead to a higher tax bill, whereas waiting for the right
time can ease your tax burden significantly. This is es-
pecially true when it comes to the sale of your primary
residence.
Calculating the gain
The first step in determining the taxability of the sale of
your home is to determine how much of the sale is cap-
ital gain. To determine this, you must subtract the cost
of the house from the sales price. Keep in mind that the
total cost of your house includes not only how much you
originally paid for it but also costs for any additions or
improvements, as well as some of the fees associated
with its purchase and sale. In addition, some things can
reduce the cost basis in your home such as deprecation
if you used part of your home for business or rental pur-
poses or reimbursements from homeowners insurance
for repairing damage. Consult with a tax adviser to dis-
cuss what costs are included and which are not. Once
the total cost basis is calculated, this amount is deducted
from the sales proceeds to calculate the capital gain to
report to the IRS.
Example:
$60,000 home purchase in 1965
+ $25,000 addition added in 2010
$85,000 cost basis
$400,000 Sales price in 2016
- $30,000 Selling costs including real estate
commissions and some closing fees
$370,000 sale proceeds
$370,000 sales proceeds
- $85,000 cost basis
$285,000 capital gain
Note that if you inherited the property from someone
after they died, your cost basis becomes the value of
the property as of the decedent’s date of death. If you
were given the property while someone was still alive,
you take over the original cost basis of the person who
gave it to you. We addressed this in a previous article in
New Horizons entitled, “Beneficiary Mistake #6: Gifting
Away Tax Benefits” , which can also be found on our
website, http://www.kramerwealth.com/beneficiary-mis-
take-6-gifting-away-tax-benefits/.
Tax Exemption Up for Grabs
When you sell your primary residence you can actually
qualify for significant tax exclusions. Each owner may
be able to exclude as much as $250,000 in gains, which
means joint owners may be able to exclude as much as
$500,000 ($250,000 per person). In the example above, a
single person would have only had to pay tax on $35,000
after the $250,000 exemption but a couple jointly owning
the home would not have to pay any tax at all since they
can exempt a total of $500,000.
Qualifying for the Tax Exemption
The IRS only allows these exclusions if you sell a home
that you owned and lived in as a primary residence for at
least two years out of the last five before the sale. This
means you could still qualify for the exclusion if you sell
the house within three years of moving out of it because
you will have lived in it the first two years of the last five
years.
If you have a disability and are unable to independently
care for yourself, this requirement is shortened to one
year out of the last five years.
Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through FSC
Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC.
Traditional/Fixed insurance products offered through Kramer Wealth
Managers which is not affiliated with FSC Securities Corporation. Nei-
ther Kramer Wealth Managers nor FSC Securities provide tax advice.
Branch office: 9099 Ridgefield Drive, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21701.
240.379.6929 V | 240.439.6889 VP

A Baseball Game Date by Tim Jaech
In a previous column I wrote for the National Association
of the Deaf (NAD) a while back, I confessed to being a
baseball fanatic. Big deal, you probably think. Not so
fast. Have you tried to make the topic of baseball in-
teresting to those who couldn't care less? Challenging,
methinks.
I once took a lady out to a baseball game on a date. This
was about 30 years ago, and took place at Angel Stadi-
um of Anaheim, California during a starry evening. Now,
my date knew absolutely nothing about the game and I
was determined to teach her the nuances of this favor-
ite pastime of our nation (well, it used to be). Before the
game started, I proceeded to explain the basics of the
game to my date, who was impressed by the vast size of
the stadium and the lush green grass of the playing field.
After explaining the positions, balls, strikes, outs, and
innings, etc., the first inning began and the first batter of
the visiting team strode to the plate. "Who's he? What's
he doing up there?” she asked. After explaining that his
task was to hit a ball safely, get on base, and hope to be
brought all the way around to home plate by the follow-
ing batters hitting safely, she looked at me, unimpressed
and announced, "That's not fair!"
The Best of TJ
[Editor’s note: The column below is a part of a reprinted series
of columns by Tim Jaech since the summer of 2009 in the
NewHorizons.]
Beaches Turks & Caicos, December 1, 2016
Christmas Market River Cruise December 11, 2016
Vietnam & Cambodia Mekong River Cruise March 6, 2017
Mississippi River Cruise March 25, 2017
Africa – Safari & River Cruise June 2, 2017
Alaska Land & Cruise June 24, 2017
Alaska Land & Cruise July 8, 2017
Historic Trains of the Old West September 2, 2017
Australia & New Zealand September 20, 2017
Spain & Portugal November 3, 2017
Christmas Market River Cruise December 9, 2017
Antarctica & South America Cruise January 21, 2018
Singapore – Thailand – Sri Lanka – India – Oman – United Arab Emirates Cruise
February 24, 2018
Singapore – Thailand – Sri Lanka – India – Oman – United Arab Emirates Cruise
April 7, 2018
CONTACT: kerstin@kerstinstravel.com VP: (561)452-5480
MORE INFORMATION: www.kerstinsdeaftravel.com
www.facebook.com/kerstinstravelinc
Travel the World with Kerstin’s Deaf Travel
Plan ahead: Africa - June 2018!
Africa – Safari & River Cruise June 1, 2018
My date proceeded to explain to me that she was
knowdgeable about soccer, not baseball. She thought
it was highly irregular for only one player to have to
face nine players from the other team all by himself. In
soccer the same number of players from each team play
simultaneously...so, baseball was a decidedly unfair
game. Right then, I knew it would be a long night unless
I thought of something else. I started making up stories
and rumors about each player coming to bat and my
evening turned out just fine.
I married my date, by the way. No, my wife's knowledge
about baseball hasn't improved much, but it hasn't
stopped me from trying and we just celebrated our 29th
wedding anniversary.
My wife's name is Silvia, as I don't want her get mad at
me for not introducing her. I have a souvenir baseball
bat with Mickey Mantle's name burnished on it. I bought
it in Cooperstown, NY, where Major League Baseball's
Hall of Fame is located. I don't want her using it on my
head!
The story above is a sample of what I hope to share with
readers of the New Horizons' future issues. The goal
here is to provide you with a variety of experiences and
thoughts that you will find enjoyable and perhaps even
thought-provoking!
I can guarantee you my columns will touch on a variety
of memories and even foresight. Nothing is ever the
same and predictable. Just hope you enjoy reading my
column. See you in the next issue..

WRITERS NEEDED!
The DSA magazine would love to print or reprint your writings,
poems, or unusual story you may have experienced.
You may already have something written in the past, or
have something you liked that was written by someone else
to share with DSA members.
Deaf and hearing writers are welcome to contribute their work in
our magazine. We are happy to help anyone who might be
concerned about their writing skills and writers can be confident
they will receive help.
Please let the editor, Susan Sien know at dsaoogle@gmail.com.
Call for Nominations
Here is your opportunity to run for office for
Deaf Seniors of America!
A candidate must be an active member in good standing
at the start of the Conference and has attended at least
one previous conference.
Elections will be held during the general Business
meeting at the DSA 2017 Houston conference on
April 8, 2017.
The following positions are open:
• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Six-Year Board Member
Anyone who is interested in running for office,
please contact June McMahon at:
junemcmahon21@aol.com or VP: 561-536-4082
At every biennial conference, the DSA presents three awards to
honor deserving persons. The DSA awards committee needs
your help with nominating eligible candidates who deserve this
honor.
See more information is page 16.
The deadline is December 31st.
If you have any questions or concerns,
please contact Renwick Dayton
ren_beth@comcast.net
DSA RECOGNITION AWARDS
Mack Harris - 2015
Joya Adams -2015
DSA:
SHOUT PAGE!
CALL TO CONFERENCE
This is an official call to the
biennial conference of DSA
April 2-9, 2017
at the Westin Galleria
Houston, Texas

DSA New Horizons Fall 2016
ed, or you lose something? Those things are not
covered by medical insurance. You should purchase
travel insurance so that all components of your vacation,
airfare or cruise or hotel or other parts of your vacation
are covered.
IF I TRAVEL AND NOTHING HAPPENS, DO I GET REFUND?
Nope, just like car or homeowner’s insurance, you do not
get a refund if nothing happens. You purchase insurance
to protect yourself financially. With travel insurance, not
only do you protect yourself and your vacation, you get
great service to assist you in case of emergency. And, of
course, peace of mind.
TIME SENSITIVE
Many travel insurance companies have time limits on
when you can purchase insurance for your vacation.
When you make a deposit on or purchase a vacation,
you may have anywhere from 7 to 21 days to purchase
travel insurance to ensure your “pre-existing” medical
conditions are covered. If you let that date expire, your
pre-existing issues that could arise before or during your
trip will not be covered by your travel insurance. An-
other item you can purchase as a “rider” on your travel
insurance is the “Cancel For Any Reason” option. This
allows you to cancel your trip “for any reason” and get
back 75% of your total trip cost. This is good for people
who are “iffy” about going due to family, or work related
issues. This must be purchased with in the allotted time
period as well.
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?
Should you purchase insurance from your tour opera-
tor? The cruise lines, escorted tours, travel agencies,
etc.,offer travel protection. Should you purchase from
them? It depends…most of the tour operators will pay
you in “credits” rather than dollars. Also, all components
of your trip, flight, hotel, and cruise must be purchased
through them to be covered. If you purchase insurance
from a third party, it covers all components and you get
cash back rather than credits.
HOW MUCH IS YOUR PEACE OF MIND WORTH?
Vacations are supposed to be stress free and fun! Be
prepared for the unexpected. With a little homework
you can get the right travel insurance and know that you
and your trip is protected! Isn’t that worth your peace of
mind? Be sure to call us if you have questions. We’ll be
happy to help.
Andy Lange is the founder of Lange Travel, specializing
in cruising. Visit the website at http://www.langetravel.
com
WHY SHOULD I BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE?
By: Andy Lange, CLIA Accredited Cruise Counselor
Are you back from your vacation? Did you have a won-
derful time? Make many memories? Hopefully, nothing
went wrong with your trip! Now that you’re home, you
are probably thankful that nothing happened to you while
traveling.
Unfortunately, for millions of people around the world,
things do happen while on a trip. Having travel insurance
will help with logistics and assistance for you while you
deal with whatever happened.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN?
Insurance is for things that “could” happen! Many people
get sick while traveling, especially older folks, and sick-
ness that pops up unexpectedly while traveling can be
very difficult to deal with. If you have to go to a hospital,
where do you go? Who do you see? Recently on a trip,
a woman in our group got very ill. We called the travel
insurance emergency line number, and they instructed us
on what to do and where to go. It was a relief knowing
that someone could help us get medical attention. The
woman ended up staying in the hospital for a week! That
was something definitely not planned. She missed the
rest of the trip, her flight home, and her companions had
to stay in a hotel that was not part of the tour. They also
missed their flight home. Travel insurance took care of it
all.
Or, how about the guy who was on a cruise, standing
next to the craps table watching people play craps. In-
nocent enough? One of the players threw a good roll and
won! Excitedly, he threw up his arms and at the exact
same moment, the waitress serving cocktails was behind
him. He hit the tray she was holding and a glass flew off
the tray. Where did it land? On the guy standing there
watching the action. It hit him in the mouth, destroyed
several teeth and caused a bad cut. He needed to go to
the hospital, but they were on the ship. So, to helicopter
him off the ship, it would cost approximately $30k to do
this. He declined this option and suffered in the ship’s
medical center until reaching port. Why? He did not have
travel insurance.
PEACE OF MIND – Is it worth it?
Is your peace of mind worth it? When you plan your
vacation, be sure to plan on purchasing travel insurance!
The cost of insurance varies, depending on your age
and amount of coverage you wish to have. To help you
budget, most insurance companies charge approximately
10% of the total trip value. For example, a trip costing
you $5,000 and you are an older person, you can be look-
ing at approximately $500 for travel insurance.
BUT, WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE?
That’s good! But it covers ONLY medical issues. What
if you need to be evacuated from a cruise ship, or a
tour you are on? Anything non-medical is not covered.
Changing your plane ticket because you had to go to the
emergency room? What if your trip is delayed, interrupt

sure your child is physically able to reach at least one
phone in your home. When calling 9-1-1 your child needs
to know their name, parent’s name, telephone number,
and most importantly their address. Tell them to answer
all the call takers questions and to stay on the phone until
instructed to hang up.
Prank calls waste time and are illegal in most states.
Be sure all members of your household are aware that
prank or harassing calls to 9-1-1 will be dealt with by
local law enforcement agencies.
Post your address clearly, prominently, and on your
home.
Posting your 9-1-1 address at the driveway entrance and
on your home will alleviate any confusion as to whether
emergency responders have the correct location. Try
using something reflective or illuminated so that it can be
seen in the evening as well as during the day.
Do not assume since your mailboxes marked, that you have
posted your address.
Mailboxes are not always at the entrance of a driveway
and usually are not marked clearly on both sides. Several
cities and counties have ordinances for posting 9-1-1 ad-
dresses. Check with your local ones, and always report
missing street signs when noted. These not only help
others find your home, but are essential to emergency
response personnel.
Know the phones you own.
Educate everyone about the phone system in your home,
as well as your cell phone. Children may need to use the
devices in an emergency and will need to know how to
operate them.
Helpful websites for all ages:
Look under the Public Education tabs on the websites
for further information regarding 9-1-1.
• www.nena.org
• www.apco911.org
• www.911.org
• www.maine911.com/kids
• www.il911info.org
• www.denco.org
• www.911.state.tx.us/kidshome.html
Important tips for all VRS consumers:
1) When you move to a new address, be sure to notify
your VRS provider to update your file.
2) It is suggested that you do not turn your VP off. Other-
wise, it may delay the time to reach 9-1-1.
3) If you are not at home and when calling 9-1-1 on
another device (mobile phone, iPad, tablet, etc.), be sure
to inform them of the address where you are. Otherwise,
the emergency responders will go to your home address
listed with your number.
4) If you are alone in your home, make sure you unlock
the front door after making 9-1-1 call, so the emergency
responders will be able to enter your house.
Top 10 Tips for Calling 9-1-1
By Jim Revell and Geraldine Francini,
Developed for investigationdiscovery.com
Created by a special 9-1-1 Lifeline, APCO, NENA team
Is a person hurt or in danger? Do you need police,
fire fighters, or an ambulance?
Have you ever wondered whether to call 9-1-1? Since
9-1-1 is for emergencies only, it helps to understand when
to call and when not to call. An emergency is any seri-
ous situation where a law enforcement officer, fire fighter,
or emergency medical help is needed right away. If you
are unsure of whether your situation is an emergency, go
ahead and call 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 call taker can determine if
you need emergency assistance and can route you to the
correct location.
If you do call 9-1-1, even by mistake, do not hang up the
phone.
9-1-1 call takers are trained to get the most important in-
formation as quickly as possible to get help on the way to
an emergency situation. In an emergency situation, allow
the call taker to ask you all the questions they need in
order to get help there in the timeliest manner before you
hang up or leave the phone. If you happen to call by ac-
cident, stay on the line until you can tell the call taker that
you called by accident and there is no emergency. This
saves the call taker from having to call you back and con-
firm there is no emergency or possibly sending police with
lights and sirens to check your address for an emergency.
When calling 9-1-1, do your best and answer all questions.
Staying calm can be one of the most difficult, yet most
important, things you do when calling 9-1-1. It is very im-
portant that you stay as calm as possible and answer all
the questions the 9-1-1 call taker asks. The questions 9-1-
1 call takers ask, no matter how relevant they seem, are
important in helping get the first responders to you as fast
as possible.
Help the 9-1-1 call taker help you.
Listen and answer the questions asked. By doing this, it
helps the call taker understand your situation and will as-
sist you with your emergency until the appropriate police,
fire or medical units arrive.
Know the location of the emergency.
The wireless 9-1-1 caller must be aware that the 9-1-1
center that answers the call may not be the 9-1-1 cen-
ter that services the area that the wireless caller is calling
from. Look for landmarks, cross street signs and buildings.
Know the name of the city or county you are in. Knowing
the location is vital to getting the appropriate police, fire
or EMS units to respond. Providing an accurate address
is critically important when making a wireless 9-1-1 call.
Teach your children how to call 9-1-1.
Be sure they know what 9-1-1 is, how to dial from your
home/cell phone, and to trust the 9-1-1 call taker. Make

Camp Mark 7 - Active Deaf Seniors 50+ Summer Camp
By: Andy Lange, Camp Director
What a week we had at Camp Mark 7! The summer camp
for active deaf seniors over 50 years old was a fun week!
Thirty-eight people came to the camp, located outside of
Old Forge, New York in the Adirondack Mountains.
If you’ve never been to the Adirondack Mountains, it should
be on your bucket list! The mountains, the lakes, and the
vistas were all incredible. The temperature was PERFECT!
It was a sunny and balmy 75 degrees the whole week.
MAKING NEW FRIENDS
Campers from all over the country came to Camp Mark 7
for a week of relaxing, playing, learning, and making new
friends. Of course, everyone is over 50 years old. We
had a wide range of ages, with a couple of people in their
90s. The key word everyone knew was, “active.” Every-
one stayed active and we had a ball!
WHAT DID WE DO?
There were plenty of activities to keep everyone busy if they wanted. People had choices of doing nothing,
relaxing, or participating in the various events we had arranged.
Presentations/iPhone and IPad training with Michael Kaufer /Alan and Vicki Hurwitz Bonfire with s’mores!
The paintings with Kelly Simpson / Boat Ride and Hobo Lunch on Agler Island
We went on boat rides and had a fantastic Hobo Lunch on an island in the middle of the lake. We created a beau-
tiful wine bottle display. Everyone enjoyed learning more about Kelly Simpson’s amazing career as an artist, as she
showed some of her beautiful art work and lead us on art projects of our own. A favorite activity was, of course, the
bonfire, with s’mores galore!
We had workshops on various topics, such as preventing identity theft, travel tips, and learning how to use iPads
and iPhones. We had special guest visits, such as the one with Alan and Vicki Hurwitz, talking about their
experiences as president and first lady of NTID and Gallaudet University.

ACTIVITIES
We went up a ski chair lift to top of Mt. McCauley for the incredible views, and our oldest couple, Ruth and Jimmy
Stern elected to walk back down! Amazing!! Our field trip to Lake Placid got rained out, so we went to the Adirondack
Museum which proved to be very interesting and a great place to learn about what makes the Adirondack Mountains
so great! We also took a steamboat ride out on the lake and saw the many lake houses along the shoreline.
Did we mention we had water sports, canoeing, kayaking, and lawn games galore? Our daily wine and cheese recep-
tion was a big hit!
We were lucky to have Father Tom Coughlin’s presence. He is the camp’s registered nurse and our driver! Father Tom
also offered optional mass for those who wished to go. If you’ve never seen Father Tom at mass, this is something
not to miss. He’s so good at it. He also showed us a nifty crafts project, decorating and lighting up old wine bottles.
Some folks opted to play cards or poker and we had a blast playing bingo! Some went hiking, others went browsing
through the Old Forge shopping district. Best of all, the weather was absolutely gorgeous!
WHEN IS THE NEXT CAMP MARK 7?
Interested in going next summer 2017? It will be August 20 – 26th. Registration for this camp will begin soon. Check
our website at the end of this article.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Pricing for August 20-26, 2017 has not been set yet. Check our website for more information about the camp and our
programs. What’s included with your price? You get a shared room and 3 meals a day. Workshops are included
and bus transportation to local attractions is also included. Optional activities include the Chair Lift Ride, Adirondack
Museum Tour, Steamboat Ride on the Lakes, and more!
Camp Mark 7 is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mark Seven Deaf Foundation, Inc.
Please check out their website at http://www.campmark7.org.
Our chairlift ride and hike / Father Tom Coughlin / Visit to the Adirondack Museum
S = Situation
N = Normal
A = All
F = F... ked
U = Up
Interesting Acronym of the Month
Many acronyms which have been developed by
the military have become part of our daily vocabulary.
One may not realize that we often use the sentence:
“ I ran into a snafu.”
Source: Tim Jaech

Reflective Question #1
If you had been born a hearing person,
what kind of career would you have chosen and why?
Ken Rothschild I would consider being a commercial airline pilot because I love traveling and enjoy the innards of
airports and jets/airplanes.
Sandra Goldstein I would have chosen a flight attendant as my career. The reasons are: (1) to allow me to freely enter
all possible destinations (2) to wear cute uniforms (3) to get an opportunity to interact with diverse
people and address their needs
Tim Jaech I would have become an architect, because I have always been fascinated by how centuries old
buildings were designed to last so many years. I wanted to experience the thrill of having my work
recognized world-wide.
Mike Finneran For me, I might have become a priest. When I was little living in NYC, the Catholic faith revolved
around my family. My sister, who has been a nun since she was 17 and 61 years later, she loves her
community. When I was 4 and got burned on my body, I had a 50-50 chance to live. My mom who
was a devout Catholic, brought a relic of St. Anne (her celebration day is the same as my birthday
7/26) to the hospital where I was and my doctor claimed that I survived miraculously due to this.
Brooke Grossinger I always wanted to be a flight attendant where I can welcome passengers on the plane and be able
to review the safety rules with them. After this, serve them drink and snacks. After the landing,
ensure that all of my passengers will be able to exit safely with their items. I will need to prepared
for emergency evacuations, hijackings and water landings as part of my duty. The main reason is to
have perks of being a flight attendant that I could earn free travel by having a flexible schedule to
choose. That also includes my spouse and children who will have my benefits. We all could explore
new places around the world.
Earl Day I have always wanted to be a commercial pilot. My dream is to begin being in the Air Force and fly
jets. I could then retire from the military and become a commercial pilot.
Jerry Zenor In a heartbeat, I would become an attorney. I like mysteries, problem solving, and arguing cases.
Patsy Compton I have always loved going to a library to look up many things. I would have liked working as a librari-
an. I like researching and would be an ancestry researcher as I love looking into family history.
Ed White A truck driver! My dad was a truck driver and I have always wanted this job.
Larry Evans A doctor! My mother has always complimented me about my having long fingers. She thought I
should either became a pianist or a doctor. Naturally, being a pianist is not for me.
Lance Fischer I was just a year old when I became deaf due to high fever. I really have not given myself a thought
on this. I became an archivist for the Federal Government and I loved working as an archivist. I do
not know what I would have become if I was not deaf, but my cousins became doctors, lawyers,
teachers, a business owner, and a federal government employee I could have become something
similar to one of my cousins but not sure which occupation. I do not think I will want trade my pro-
fession with something else.
Lynn Sien Medicine! I am fascinated with all things medical, even the stuff that grosses others out! I was
born before ADA, and it just seemed rather insurmountable to me to do exactly what I had in mind.
However, I have no regrets having gone into school psychology and later administration. I got doses
of teaching medical or body issues throughout my careers. I even became a lay expert and friends
would ask me to decipher medicalese written by their doctors or suggest a “what next”. I always
stressed that this was NOT a substitute for having an interpreter and really having that one on one
with the doctor.
Susan Sien At first, a doctor. Eventually, I have always enjoyed studying other people and learning what has
gone into making them the way they are. Being with people helps me to understand the workings of
our immediate world and our individual places in it. It is a combination of studying and sharing peo-
ple’s view on life, culture, and values. I would either lean towards being an anthropologist (Margaret
Mead) or a journalist (Barbara Walters).

Rocco DeVito I would have wanted to become a doctor, because there are many in my family. My mother always
wanted me to have a respectable profession.
Gerald (Bummy)
Bernstein
A doctor, because there were so many in my family who became doctors. My brother Steve was a
neurosurgeon, who specialized in surgery of the brain and spine. A second dream was to become a
commercial pilot. I actually tried to get my pilot’s license as a deaf person.
Jim Potter I probably would have gone into business with my brother Wally as a partner, who had a business
selling and servicing HVAC products and supplies.
Silvia Jaech I would have become a nurse or a veterinarian, because I have always loved helping and caring for
disabled/elderly people and dogs. I also dreamed of becoming a ballerina.
Rosangela Jaech I used to dream of becoming a princess, because I loved following Princess Diana. I would have also
become a professional event planner, because I enjoy multi-tasking, traveling, and the challenge
itself.
John Brand II I would have become a vocalist as a solo singer. My second desire was to be a journalist. Those two
dream jobs were appealing to me because I love to give pleasure to audiences by sharing emotions
through singing and writing.
Lisa Bosson I would become a medical doctor. My father was a doctor. I loved watching my father treating his
patients either in hospitals or home clinic. I also majored in Biology when going for my B.A.
Jo Bienvenu I would have like to be a singer while playing with my guitar.
Brenda Fraenkel It is hard for me to imagine what I would want to be if I was born hearing. I fell in love with Perry
Mason on television and thought about becoming a lawyer. However, when I attended Gallaudet,
my choices were limited to library science or education. Eventually I became a high school English
teacher, which I enjoyed. I also became an advisor to the high school mock trial team and lived
through the students as lawyers. My dream came true in a different way and I enjoyed the
experience.

DSA New Horizons Fall 2016

’Twas Christmas Eve
[With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, original author of
“A Visit From St. Nicholas,” written on Christmas Eve 1822.]
T’was Christmas eve, when all throughout the wee little apartment
No critters were around as they don’t pay rent;
No fireplace, nowhere to hang even one stocking,
Hoping Santa knew how to make our doorbell lights ring;
No kids around, as Mama and I had the only bed.
No dreams of sugar plums, lest they make our teeth turn red;
Mama’s fussy about her hair and I have none – so no cap,
Ready for a long, long winter nap…
But suddenly, the walls shook,
And I zoomed to the window to take a look.
Outside, what a wondrous sight to behold,
The virgin snow gleamed like the moon’s dusty gold;
Suddenly, I saw those famous little reindeer pulling a sleigh,
Navigated by a sprightly little guy hollering, “Hey, hey!”
Drat! I couldn’t remember his name!
Those reindeer were revered for their Christmas fame;
Indeed, like eagles, they could fly!
Like a ship’s captain, amazing was the little guy;
He managed to land his magical reindeer on top of my apartment…
Unfortunately, they were two floors up, no chimney apparent.
Finally, I remembered the little guy’s name!
It was Santa Claus, he of holiday fame;
But, where was he?
Suddenly, he opened my door with his magic key;
He walked in, dressed head to toe in red and white,
Luminous and fanciful in the night;
On his back was a sack full of gifts wrapped in red and gold --
What a sight he was to behold!
His eyes twinkled, his cheeks were fiery red,
And his mouth was covered by a snow-white beard finely bred;
His face was big and round like his tummy,
Which long ago jiggled like one belonging to the elder Timmy;
Santa winked at me, laid gifts under the tree as quickly as a mini-tornado,
Then zipped out of our home like a blurred scarlet tomato;
He leapt and landed onto his sleigh,
Awakening his reindeer who had been slumbering away;
Santa arose into the evening sky,
Then commanded the stars to send a message from on high,
“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!”
By Tim Jaech, 12-22-2014

DEAF SENIORS OF AMERICA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Membership fee is $10.00 per person and is good until the 2017 DSA Conference in Houston, Tex-
as. It will include Fall 2016 and Winter 2017 (one NH magazine per household). After the DSA 2017
Houston conference, it will be $20.00 for two years.
First Name: _____________________________________ Last Name: ________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________________State: _______________ Zip:______________
Email: ____________________________VP:_________________________ Text:________________________
Please cut out and mail this form with a check payable to Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) to:
Mike Lockhart, 5619 Ainsley Court, Boynton Beach, Fl. 33437-1503. Thank you for supporting DSA.
ADDITIONS SOUGHT FOR DSA-NAD
SENIORRESOURCELISTING
At the 2007 DSA Conference in Orlando, Fl. this first
ever ‘SeniorResources’listing was announced as a
joint NAD Senior Citizens Section (NAD/SCS). It can
be seen at: www.nad.org/seniorresources.
If you wish to add a senior housing facility or social
club to this listing, or if you wish to make corrections,
please send email to ron.nomeland@nad.org (be
sure to mention‘SeniorResources’in the subject
line). Updates will be posted on a periodic basis.
oldaddress:__________________________________________________
Please clip or write on piece of paper and mail it to:
Michael Lockhart / 5619 Ainsley Ct. Boynton Beach, Fl. 33437-1503
new address:__________________________________________________
name:________________________________________________________
If so, please do let us know so that you will not miss any
DSA magazine issues?
Are you planning to move soon?
• New Horizon is published four times a year: January/April/June/ September
• Over 2,000 members with readership of about 5,000 individuals accessing DSA magazines
• Deadlines for AD SUBMISSIONS: April 10/June 10/ September 10/ January 10
• If we are to design prepare to create an advertisement for you, contact the editor for a quote
• Payment is due after 30 days after the ad deadline.
• For more information: Contact: susan sien, editor at dsaoogle@gmail.com
VP/Voice: (512) 900-6339 and/or FT/Text: (512)900-6339

DSA New Horizons (Full Color) Advertisement

If you choose Sorenson as your default provider, you can port your existing 10-digit number to Sorenson from another provider or Sorenson
can provide you with one for the geographic area where you live or work. If you later change your default provider, you can port your number
to that provider. When selecting Sorenson, you must provide to Sorenson the physical address (i.e., the Registered Location) from which you
are placing the call, so that Sorenson can properly route any 911 calls you may make. If you move or change your location, you must notify
Sorenson immediately. You can update your Registered Location from your Sorenson videophone by calling 800-659-4810 or by visiting
www.svrs.com/moving. Sorenson will confirm receipt of your Registered Location information. Emergency calls made via internet-based TRS may
not function the same as traditional E911 service. For example, you may not be able to dial 911 if there is an internet-service failure or if you
lose electrical power, and your 911 call may not be routed correctly if you have not updated your Registered Location. For more information
on the process of obtaining 10-digit numbers and the limitations and risks associated with using Sorenson’s VRS to place a 911 call, please
visit Sorenson’s website: www.sorenson.com/disclaimer. For more information on toll-free numbering, please visit www.svrs.com/tollfree.
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newhorizons
RETURN TO:
Michael Lockhart
5619 Ainsley Court
Boynton Beach, Fl.
33437-1503
DEADLINE FOR WINTER ISSUE - JANUARY 10
DEAF SENIORS OF AMERICA, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)3.
All contributions are tax deductible.
DSA Reflective Question for YOU in Each Issue!
Here’s your chance to send in your thoughts on a question we would like to
start asking our New Horizons readers. We are going to ask new question
during each issue that is reflective, something we often think of when we are
thinking about our past days.
We want you to write your answers and email them to New Horizons editor,
susan sien at dsaoogle@gmail.com.
Your answers can be 1 word or up to 100 words. Tim Jaech will edit/proof all
selected responses before they are published in the New Horizons. We plan to
have a question for each issue and answers will be in the following issue.
DSA Question for the WINTER 2017 Issue:
Come on, be adventurous, become a writer, and join the fun!
While growing up, who was and/or is your role model? Why?
This role model can be hearing or deaf

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