Stranger In The Night (For Bia and everyone else)

Day 1,917, 20:34 • Published in USA USA • by ElmieJr

Hello eRepublikians,

http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/strangers-in-the-night-2202875/1/20

Its a must read for everybody, since Bia was brave enough to do one, I guess I need do one too.

I've always enjoyed doing articles on strangers, but never myself. Here we go.

I was born on May 5th, of 84. Which makes me.. yikes... 28 year old. I was born in Charleston, South Carolina. I was also born deaf. When my parents discovered I was deaf, they quickly learned sign language and at an young age, I quickly learned how to read and write.

I went to public school for many years until I was about 16 year-old I decided to go to state's deaf school and graduated from there. I went to Gallaudet University in Washington DC. Unfortunately, I dropped out.

I came back home and had odd jobs from working at Applebees and Wal-Mart. When I started to work at Wal-Mart I climbed up in ranks to Department Manager at Wal-Mart. I was really unhappy with my job when a friend of mine took me for a visit at the local Air Force Base and joked with me that I could fly planes if I attempted to learn. Thats when it kinda clicked. I could do better so I applied to work at the US Air Force and surprisingly, they called for an interview. I went then went back for 2nd interview and they fingerprinted me. I was in! I was sooo happy working for United States Government. I worked my way up in GS level and maxed out at the position limit. I worked at Charleston Air Force Base for 6 years.

A old friend of mine video-phoned me one day and we talked. I discovered that she worked at Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville. I had known her from Gallaudet days. More she talked about her job, more I wanted to work there because of open communication and it was just promising. I wanted to inspire young deaf children to reach for their best. So... in Nov of 2010, I applied and in April 2011, they offered me the job and I officially got hired in May of 2011. I've been working here since August 2011. Boy let me tell you I love my job. I love working with young deaf kids. They keep color in my life and make it quite exciting.

There are a lot of details in my life I've left out. There is two things I do want to share with you that I think is important for everybody to know and understand about me.

March of 2012, My father had a heart attack (his 3rd one) and was hospitalized for few days. I drove all way to Charleston to take care of him. When everything was well. I left go back home and back to work. Two weeks later, on March 30th, I was covering my cottage. My night staff had called in sick so I was working from 12:30am to 8am. Around 1am, I get text from my father which was very very out of norm. He said for me to call him on video-phone. I called and he told me the bad news. My brother got hit by a car. (read here)

I had the worst next few hours in my life. I could not leave. I tried to contact my mom and she was sleeping. I cried and cried. My brother is one of my best friend and the guy I depended on when I was younger and to think I was gonna lose my only brother was unbearable. My mother drove down from Louisville to meet up with me and we both drove to Charleston in a horrible storm. It rained all way, and we finally arrived the hospital around 8pm to hear the doctors to tell us that they weren't sure that he was gonna make it. God, the view was just horrify. He had tubes in him, holes in his skin, he was torn. He was in coma for 17 days. He had numerous of surgeries and was in hospital until June 3rd. He came out of hospital and was doing PT and OT to stay alive.

When all this happened, I was surprised to see how many of the guys in SF came out for me. It became less about the game and they were offering support. They talked to me, kept me sane for next several months when I felt helpless. I realized I had a family in SF.

Then This.... Yafet Yoseph

I suggest you to watch the video. You'll understand a little more about this young man.

He drowned in Florida when he went down there with friends. He had just turned 18, was going to be Senior this fall. He was one of my boy I worked with in my cottage. I was responsible for his well being at school when he stayed here. I was his house parent.

When I heard about this just two days after my brother got out of hospital, my world just crashed. We had lost this best kid in the school. My heart sank. I went into depression for a short bit of time and also thought a lot about my life and what I have done. This young man has changed my whole world and how I view death. Now I am better person because of him.

Also when this happened, my friends, my family and of course, my eRepublik family came out to support me. I can only say that playing this game really brings you lifelong friends. Thank you guys for being there for me.

This is part of my story 🙂 I hope you've enjoyed this.

Here is a pic of me 😛