Friday, August 8, 2008
Paul's Commentary seen on CNN/iReport
Paul's commentary about the Department of Mental Health was broadcasted on CNN through iReport.
Click on link
This is part of deaf advocacy at work!
=)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
DMH: The clock is ticking!
DMH: The clock is ticking!
Given the whole dilemma going on at DMH, the recent breaking news story about deaf man from Springfield, Missouri is enough to shake the foundations of DMH.
There is lawsuit needing to be initiated and get the ball rolling. The first step as per legal scholars suggested is to go to Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services. (MO P & A).
Their website is at http://www.moadvocacy.org.
The wheels of justice is slowly moving into the right direction.
Who wants to help file lawsuits against Department of Mental Health? Time is now!
We cannot afford to wait for DMH to finish its window dressing and play chess games with us.
It is time to say "CHECKMATE"!
The game is over!
Too many Deaf and Hard of hearing have suffered without mental health services! My heart bleeds every minute that there is no mental health services for deaf and hard of hearing people in the community. I did not have good sleep for the past year knowing how many are suffering. I have met some who are suffering. Some are suicidal and some are hell-bent angry. Where are the services? Zilch! Nada! Nothing!
Why wait for DMH to address those issues when they knew very well what we wanted years ago when Steve Hamerdinger presented the plan for professional mental health services for the deaf and hard of hearing. If DMH had adopted and followed through what Steve Hamerdinger and the deaf committee had proposed. that deaf man from Springfield, Missouri would not suffer!
It does NOT take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
It is the management at the top of DMH who are playing with numbers and the politicians have told us that the ball is in DMH's court. They provided the money so it is DMH who is being targeted.
DMH should be in the Deaf Community's crosshair until they have satisfied everything that the Deaf committee proposed few years ago.
Shall we begin the process of lawsuit against DMH?
Sincerely,
Paul J. Kiel
August 7, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
SEE YE! SEE YE! DEAF MAN FELL THROUGH CRACKS AND WAS IGNORED BY DEPT OF MENTAL HEALTH!
SEE YE! SEE YE! MISSOURI NEEDS YOUR INPUT! HELP SADE LOPEZ!
There is a growing controversy brewing in Missouri in all many towns! Many deaf and hard of hearing clients are falling through the cracks of the Department of Mental Health. This has been going on for years and years. Now the straw has broken the camel's back. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Please review the video done in Springfield, Missouri! ** view this video now!
Please e-mail your thanks to Angie Weidinger for exposing the story about lack of mental health services for the deaf in Springfield. It is only the tip of iceberg. A lot of people tried to kill that story. It shows the reins of AUDISM trying to stop her from exposing the truth. email your support to her now!
I am enclosing this vlog I made last Spring about Department of Mental Health and how it treated us.
Watch this video!
Here is attached my response to the television story
This is nothing new about how DMH treats deaf clients. This has been going on for too long time and it is time to get DMH accountable for the needs of deaf and hard of hearing clients.
This is getting old about the lack of services as we have been to Jefferson City numerous times in the last 30 years. It is someone at the top at DMH who is selfish. DMH can be sued real soon if they do not clean up their act. We have been waiting for the last ten years for real action.
No, it is bureaucratic nightmare and the lack of respect from them. They wasted millions of dollars on other things. They knew what we want and yet they blew us away!
They do not make any REAL efforts to get serious about providing mental health services for the deaf and hard of hearing in Missouri.
It is high time for legal action against DMH for many cases like that deaf guy in your news. That guy is NOT alone. There are many more throughout Missouri. It is just a tip of iceberg.
Why don't you investigate DMH? You can expose fraud, corruption and the likes in there.
Thank you for bringing that story to our attention! It is NO EXCUSE for what DMH did to deaf clients.
Paul Kiel
St. Louis, Missouri
Sunday, August 3, 2008
ABUSES, BRAINWASHING AND CORRUPTION ARE PART OF AUDISM PRACTICES!
Abuses, brainwashing and corruption are audist tools used since 1880. This is as result of greedy hearing people who want to "rape" deaf people in all walks of life. It has happened everywhere from sea to shining sea.
For the last 40 years since I got interested in Deaf advocacy, I have seen many and many stories about how hearing people tend to abuse deaf people. I have visited many rural towns, small towns and cities. I have come across many stories because I was looking for truth.
Many oral programs have higher rate of abuses due to frustrations, demands of parents and ignorance.
The stories come from many Deaf people who grew up with anger, hatred and mistrust
Stories like Jack are very common.
Hearing people have been sweeping the stuff under the rug. They felt good knowing deaf people were stupid and too ignorant in speaking out.
What goes around will come around!
In the picture above, it is pure example of how audists abuse children everywhere in the ivy halls in most public oral programs as well as private oral programs.
Hearing people including parents tend to ignore our complaints or concerns about the abuses.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
LAURENT CLERC HIMSELF SHOW TO DEBUT THIS FALL!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Paul Kiel
877-300-4217 (voice)
314-869-6161 (fax)
314-664-8959 (videophone)
myfavaslworld@aol.com (email)
laurentclercshow@aol.com (bookings)
DEAF IMAGES UNVEILS NEW PLATFORM FOR 2008
LAURENT CLERC HIMSELF SHOW
ST. LOUIS, July 11, 2008 - DEAF IMAGES, a digital video production and multimedia company founded by Paul Kiel, today revealed its new platform for the next few years starting today. Deaf Images is presenting LAURENT CLERC HIMSELF SHOW using multimedia. The show will bring Laurent Clerc alive and educate the audience about his life experiences as a deaf man from France from the late 18th century to new life in the early 19th Century New World. He was known as "Apostle to the Deaf People of the New World."
Experience a live encounter with first Deaf teacher and advocate Laurent Clerc as actor Paul Kiel brings his one-man show to deaf community this Fall.
In this show, Kiel recreates Laurent Clerc of 19th century. Laurent Clerc was famous for promoting and using ASL (American Sign Language). He was a great teacher and leader. He was highly respected for his advocacy for Deaf community in the New World.
All in Clerc's signing and writings, Kiel explores Clerc's life in France, his experiences in the New World, his meetings with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, his trip on the ship to America, his exploration of Deaf community of the 19th century, his experiences with hearing people and advocacy for schools and programs for Deaf to grow and how he felt about his works nearing the end of his life.
"I am excited to start this program of educating the community about the life and times of our great deaf leader, Laurent Clerc." Paul Kiel, Deaf Images Founder and Owner, "I look forward to perform as Clerc to enable the public to understand the beginnings of American Sign Language and how it evolved to today."
Tickets and Reservations -
First show to debut - St. Louis - Date and place TBA
Other places will be announced on website soon.
This show is available for non-profit organizations, schools, churches, and clubs to raise funds in a very entertaining and enjoyable way.
Deaf Images is producing traveling stage shows for theaters, universities, churches, and schools.
To book a show, click here to: book show please
Thursday, July 10, 2008
NEWS FLASH! DEAF PARENTS DECIDED TO DEAFEN THE BABY!
NEWS FLASH! DEAF PARENTS DECIDED TO DEAFEN THE BABY!
The location and names were not available to protect the innocent. The Deaf parents decided to deafen their baby. They were unhappy as the baby was hearing. The family was 10th generation of Deaf families. There were 258 Deaf people in the clan.
The medical profession gave in after they won the lawsuit to make them deafen their baby.
The preparations were underway this morning for the baby to be deafened. They severed the nerves to enable the baby to become deaf.
More information to come!
Monday, June 30, 2008
THE AGB WALL COMES TUMBLING DOWN! THE CANCER OF AUDISM IS ALMOST GONE!
With a great honor, I am picking this picture of Berlin Wall that is situated at Winston Churchill Memorial on Westminister Campus in Fulton, Missouri (Missouri School For the Deaf few miles east of campus). This picture is a stark reminder of how people oppressed people. It was terrible experience for everyone. I drove by the campus and took that picture about a year ago. We got them to take the Berlin Wall down. This is what we need to do the same for AGB. We share air, water, food, life, blood, tears, sweats, and many things on Earth. We deserve the right to have equal communication access.
Edward Nugent's picture," DBC Block AGB's Tanks". He hit the nail right on the head! He is right! Perfect and very right to the heart of the whole issue affecting us! It is like a wall. There was a play at NTID many years ago titled, 'THE WALL" during 1970's. It was about the same story we are experiencing today.
It is high time that the Deaf community works on the same page today to turn the tables on audism. It is working in our favor and we are winning in strides and leaps.
With recent DBC conference, it is time to raise our hands in the air and say it is time for "DEAF ADVOCACY NOW" We can sign in unity " DEAF ADVOCACY NOW!" It is time to tell the community truth.
With recent plaque and building changes, we are removing the cancer of audism.
We need to educate the community the benefits of ASL and how we succeed in working with hearing people in our lives. We are not handicapped like the hearing world thinks we are.
It is time to rub elbows with community leaders and neighbors to be more aware of our proud Deaf culture. We are proud to use ASL and we are allowed to sign anywhere we please. We do not conform to AGB's evil ways.
Eventually AGB's empire will fall apart when the truth shines from us in educating the community
It is time to get empowered and educate our neighbors through sign language programs and deaf studies programs.
We are the grassroots of the Deaf community and we can do it!
Let's raise our hands in the air and wave! We are asking AGBAD and his accomplices to stop lies and respect our proud Deaf Culture! We ask them to stop being terrorists like they did for the last 128 years!
So now the AGB Wall comes tumbling down!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
MoAD's Presentation: In Search of Deafhood - November 1, 2008
June 25, 2008
A word from Chairman:
I am pleased and honored to serve on MoAD's Deafhood committee. I am pleased to have the committee members rolling up sleeves and getting busy for preparation of the upcoming event in November. We are honored that Ella Mae Lentz, David Eberwein and Gertie Gertz have agreed to come to St. Louis, Missouri. It will be an all day workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at our proud facility called GSLAD Hall.
It will be fun day of learning about ourselves, our culture and our plans for future. This is what the workshop is all about. It helps us create a deafhood vision for a world tomorrow! The internationally known experts on Deafhood will be preparing us for a new future. Come and join us in this task.
I am pleased to announce the following people on MoAD's Deafhood committee.
* Paul Kiel, Chairman
* Beth Williams, Registration Coordinator
* Mike Boyd, Logistics
* Judy Benfield, Hospitality
* Missy Owoc, Committee member
* Nina Wilson, Committee member
* Ella Eakins, Committee member
More updates to come soon!
Please do register with us as soon as you can! The deadline is October 15, 2008 for registration. The seating is limited! Come one! Come all!
Sincerely,
Paul J. Kiel
Chairman
MoAD's Presentation:In Search of Deafhood
November 1, 2008
e-mail: myfavaslworld@aol.com
tty/fax: 314-869-6161
vp: 314-664-8959
About MoAD - It is Missouri Association of the Deaf Inc. - For more information, www.moadshowme.org
About GSLAD - It is Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf, Inc. - For more information, www.gslad.org
About Deafhood - It is Deafhood - For more information, www.deafhood.us
For widest possible distribution-
###
For widest possible distribution-
###
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
NEW VIDEO BOOK COMING OUT THIS FALL: "TO BE DEAF OR NOT TO BE DEAF"
** VIDEO BOOK COMING OUT! SEPTEMBER 27, 2008** PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW! SPECIAL PRICE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15th! Video Book $29.95 Special Price effective June 15 to September 15 $21.95! The video book will be released on September 27, 2008. Order now and save your spot on waiting list! Info? Contact Paul at myfavaslworld@aol.com
Saturday, June 14, 2008
SHOW US IN ST. LOUIS! ** MoAD's Presentation: DEAFHOOD WORKSHOP! NOV 1, 2008
Welcome to Missouri! We want to show you something so you have to come to show us your motivation! We are inviting the community to come and participate in one day workshop in learning and understanding about DEAFHOOD! This is why we are having three presenters in St. Louis for the workshop. Missouri Association of the Deaf is pleased to announce the workshop for interested individuals in learning the journey of Deafhood.
It will be held at Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf (GSLAD) building.
It will be on Saturday, November 1, 2008.
More information to follow!
Please let us know if you want to attend the one -day workshop!
We ask you to please register with us as soon as possible to reserve seating.
The seating is limited.
Lunch is provided.
Communication needs? Let us know!
Thank you!
Paul Kiel
Chairman
MoAD's Presentation:Deafhood Workshop
November 1, 2008 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
****e-mail to me at myfavaslworld@aol.com
****
Thursday, May 29, 2008
"IS DMH WALKING US AROUND THE BLOCK AGAIN?" ~ OR ~ "SHALL WE GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE? "
Hello!
I am back home with a heavy heart and a lot of questions as well as new information running in my head. I sat at my computer while pondering for truth in this matter. As usual, the truth is in the eye of the beholder. This is how and why I see what happens daily in our deaf lives.
As you can recall my previous posting about Barry Critchfield and his employment issues with Missouri Department of Mental Health. I do respect him and I think the truth is somewhat an issue in getting to the root of the problem at DMH. (link to my posting, http://deafadvocate.blogspot.com/2008/04/dept-mental-health-has-screwed-us.html dated April 12, 2008 )
I sat in my office chair poring over pages and pages of documents that have accumulated on my desk for the past month and almost a half. (six weeks) - I have read materials on lawsuits, mental health, deaf and any pertinent reports related to the issues that are on the "front burner".
I have been struggling with which "title" to use tonight so I say it two fold -
"IS DMH WALKING US AROUND THE BLOCK AGAIN?"
or
"SHALL WE GIVE DMH ANOTHER CHANCE?"
The first headline "IS DMH WALKING US AROUND THE BLOCK AGAIN?" is what I feel about the on-going issue. I remember back in 1978/1979 when RTR had a community meeting on mental health. There were no access to any services. The humble beginnings of what is going on today is what I have experienced the last 30 years to today. I have seen scores of leaders and advocates working hard to initiate the steps in making mental health programs accessable to the deaf community.
The group worked hard to develop a dream of having a comprehensive treatment program for deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing people who experience psychiatric disorders, mental retardation (DD) and substance abuse disorders. I am borrowing some words of "Revisiting the Dream". Yes, I can understand the dream. It is a challenge to bring them into reality. It is also difficult to apply theories and conceptualization into real practice. I am talking about " R E A L P R A C T I C E ".
It is an application from theory to practice. It is a repitition of bureaucratic, political, evasion, manipulation, oppression and misdiagnosis that continue to this day. Today is May 28, 2008. How much time has passed? Yes - 30 years.
The block where we have walked with DMH must have deep ruts by now. We are sinking lower and lower waiting for the reality to happen and new confidence in the system. At this stage, the Missouri Deaf Community does not have any more confidence in Missouri Department of Mental Heatlh.
I am keeping my mind open to options that are happening in front of us. We need to figure out what we can do at this stage. I have recommended a two pronged approach to the problem - continue with lawsuit and continue negotiating to get the program up and running.
So the next headline is "SHALL WE GIVE DMH ANOTHER CHANCE?"
Today, I had joined the meeting offered by Keith Schafer, Director of Missouri Department of Mental Health. He was cordial and professional in explaining his handling of the programs. He did homework on making a presentation.
He made welcome and introduction of people interested in looking for ways and means to resolve the problem that is dragging the deaf services program. The meeting with representatives of the Deaf community was cordial and very interesting. We did sound off on our concerns about the lack of few things prevening DMH from doing its real job. We did cover some areas such as funding and the meat (action from them to support the needs of deaf).
Keith Schafer is sort of late deafened and hard of hearing. He seems to take it in stride that he is losing his hearing. He has worked in the past with deaf program where he teamed with Sharaine (Rice) Roberts in implementing the Deaf Services program under DMH. You may recall that nice lady who worked hard to get the program set up and she had to leave the state for more challenges in her career.
Guess what? She showed up today for the meeting. She is acting as consultant for DMH. This may be good idea as she has the expertise. She wanted me to "hear" both sides of coin.
Back to Keith Schafer, he expressed his desire to work with us in finding a next candidate for the position The title of new position is "Deaf and Cultural Services Coordinator". He wants us to help him find a right candidate for the position. So it is up to us to decide who may be qualified for the position. We will have to do some homework and some advocacy to make this happen. He plans to send out job announcements for the position. The target date may be end of July.
The next thing that Keith Schafer mentioned in today's meeting is that he wants to create a Statewide Advisory Board - and his target date is end of June to have selected people to be on the advisory board. Their duties will be to work in finding solutions and share communications among DMH staff from the top down (chain of command). This is my observation of the definition that should be considered in delegating the roles of board members.
Keith Schafer would like us to present "Revisiting the Dream" to MH Commission. (The Commissioners are appointed by the governor to oversee the Department of Mental Health.) The target date is August.
He also recommends that we have deaf community advocacy meeting with governor candidates sometime in October and November.
He stated that we need to make presentation to House Health and Mental Health Appropriations Subcommittee in January 2009.
We are advised to keep deaf community advocacy ongoing. He did mention that the Deaf community "disappeared" after 2004 efforts to get funding restored and hire Barry Critchfield. I think he is mistaken as the deaf community did try to get involved over and over. It is the system working against the Deaf community for a long time. I have attended DMH meetings the last 2 years and I try to take the time to drive to Jefferson City to be aware of what is going on. The Deaf Community Representatives have been meeting in Fulton and Jefferson City during 2007 and we were going to meet more this year but due to the upheaval, we are on "hold". We will meet soon.
There is a copy of powerpoint made by them "Mental Health Services for Individuals who are Deaf". You may call DMH office to request a copy emailed to you as an attachment or find a way to get it from them. It is your right as Missouri Taxpayer to be informed of what is happening. The responsibility is yours to keep informed of DMH's progress. They are obliged to answer any questions you may have about deaf services. We do need you to keep them on toes. Keep them focused on providing programs for deaf. We have to make "noises" both at DMH and the state legislature. It was nice to see Senator Joan Bray of Creve Coeur there. She was there the whole meeting. She has been advocating for more funding for deaf program. She was the one who helped restore the funding in 2004. She emphasized that the deaf community need to work with legislators of each ward in the community.
The more we do the more realization is that the legislators will do more for us so it is us that we have to roll up our sleeves and shake the state capitol at its foundations. We can add to three prong approach - continue lawsuit, work with DMH and educate the legislators. It seems reasonable approach but in reality, will it work this time around? I was told that the funding was not an issue.
From the discussions around the community, we are looking at the administration who handles the deaf program. We are questioning the legitimacy of the actions happened in the office. Was it office politics? Was it misunderstanding? Was it power grab? What is it? You can tell us what you think!
I would not object to what he is doing, but is his job as a bureaucrat prevening him from doing the real needs. This is my observation. What should we do? wait another six months and see what the results are from his proposal to have programs up and running? What about lawsuit? Should it wait? We look at South Carolina and its success in suing the state DMH. We look at Alabama and its success in suing the state DMH. I have reviewed information on internet with other states. They did the same thing.... SUE THEM! I have been told that it is a logical step in getting the Missouri Department of Mental Health be accountable to the Deaf community.
Ella Eakins, MoAD President (Missouri Association of the Deaf, Inc.) had informed Keith Schafer that MoAD would be available for information, advocacy and leadership. MoAD as a statewide organization can be an advocate for improving DMH. It all depends on DMH and its reception to our suggestions..
There are two videos available for anyone who wishes to watch sign language interpretation of this text and I have volunteers to read "WHAT THE DEAF COMMUNITY HAS SAID" in the report to DMH Commissioners last year. I will be happy to express my viewpoint of that report in that video.
There are some reading materials available to the links below. This is for more understanding of what we need and how we can work it out.
Thank you!
Paul
Suggested Reading materials:
http://www.dmh.mo.gov/diroffice/depdir/deafsvcs/CommissionDeafComments.pdf
(Mental Health Commission Meetings, May 2006 - about deaf community expressing wishes for improvements in DMH)
http://www.hamerdinger.com/steve/Lifesigns/presentations.htm
(Steve Hamerdinger's presentations on MH programs and Deaf while in Missouri and more)
http://deafness.about.com/cs/mentalhealth/a/mentalhealth.htm
(Helping Deaf People with Mental and Emotional Problems by Jamie Berke at about.com:Deafness)
http://www.nasmhpd.org/general_files/publications/ntac_pubs/reports/Deaf.pdf
(Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Persons Who are Deaf, May 2002 by A. Barry Critchfield)
http://www.dmh.mo.gov/diroffice/ depdir/deafsvcs/deafservicesplan.doc
(Revisting the Dream: May 30, 2006 (Barry Critchfield/Steve Hamerdinger)
**05/28/2008**
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