Back from Washington!!!!

[Crystal11]

Hello everyone!!! Back from Washington D.C. today!
I participated in a deaf-blind youth in action program which is first of its kind. Me and 5 other deaf-blind young adults participated in a intense class where we learned advocacy skills in deaf-blindness issues which could also go for other advocacy issues. I was required to discuss with the Senator of my state and Oklahoma, Congressmen from both states as well as
their staff members about my policy brief that I chose. I chose SSP (support service provider) which acts as an interpreter, a sighted guide, a reader and scribe for a person who is deaf and blind.
We did go to the house of representatives, the senate and to the white house. We got to take a tour with a secret service agent of the white house. I was given the chance to play the President's Piano! The White House piano was there in a living room and I saw it and my interpreter showed it to me. I was given permission to play. After I played a few notes the secret service agent told me: "Stevie Wonder played that piano for the President" and I about died!
After recovering from shock we were told we were to see the President at 2:45 in the Oval Office which we did. We chatted about who we were, he asked me where I got my degree, where I lived, and he said he likes Austin TX a lot and travels there sometimes. He also asked me "who is your buddy with you?" and I said it was Umbro (my guide dog) and President Obama reached down and petted Umbro and said "Umbro, you're a good boy, I wish my dog behaved as well as you do."
Normally I would say, "Please don't pet my dog because he is on duty" BUT I would never say that to the President!! SO I didn't and President Obama got to know Umbro a little bit. We had a group photo taken with President Obama and will get it in the mail soon I hope. If I can, I will try to post it up here so you all can see it.
When it was time to leave, my interpreter told me that the President was calling me. He said "Crystal, Crystal!". I didn't hear him of course and so my interpreter told me to wait. I turned around and there he was- standing across from me behind a couch in the entry way of the Oval Office. He said "I just want to say it was nice to meet you and good luck with everything." then he shook my hand and I said "It was really nice to have met you, thank you." After that we walked to the front or "North yard" which is technically the front door or area of the house, and walked back through security. There is more to story but I know I've written a lot here!

Everyone, it was an awesome once in a lifetime thing for me and the other deaf-blind students there! Umbro had a great time too..

Everyone, take care and PM me if you want to know more about the trip.
-Crystal and Umbro

[RobinN]

Thank you for sharing Crystal. It sounds like a wonderful experience.
Please let us know when you receive the photo and someone can help you post it.

[hawke86]

Welcome back Crystal. You were missed.

[Bernard]

Welcome back. Sounds like you had a memorable trip.