Planning your future dreams and facing your fears, that's what the Southeast Region Transition Institute hosted by the Mississippi Deaf blind Project was about for the deaf- blind students who attended this amazing weekend. Students from several different states came to attend and enjoy the wonderfully planned festivities such as motivational speaker Jill Connor Browne, who is a New York Times bestselling author of six Sweet Potato Queen books, Desmeon Thomas, Independent Living Specialist with L.I.F.E., and Cody Colchado, the key note speaker, who inspired us all with his life story and his triumphs and tribulations he faced as a deaf-blind teen and still faces as an adult. Also, as part of the weekend itinerary, the students were able to participate in interviews providing their own meaning to self-determination, struggles, and self advocacy, round robin discussion sessions, and supplied with and immense amount of quality information to help them understand what it means to be self-determined, motivated, and to aspire to dream their dreams and make them come true. The weekend began with a vendor/service fair, socialization, and team-building activities, and ended with a lovely Mardi Gras themed reception. Students were also provided with some great socialization activities in the evening, an opportunity to get to know each other and form lasting friendships and connections for their future endeavors.
The weekend was not only for the students who attended, but for their families as well. Parents were empowered with information and discussion about their expectations of their children, self-determination aspects, practical experiences, and emotional support, and resources.
As a participant of this fabulous weekend, I met and spent a little time with one of the motivational speakers, Cody Colchado, who made me take a good look at my life and put a few things into perspective.
Cody was born with a hearing loss, but was not diagnosed until the 2nd grade; still he never let his hearing loss hinder him from learning or playing sports. However, at the age of 17 yrs., Cody experienced a freak football injury which cost him his eye sight. He was devastated, bitter, and couldn't understand why this happened to him. Cody explained that, at the time, there were no known resources to help him or his family deal with this traumatic experience. He revealed that he was "kicked out" of college on four different occasions, again without support or assistance. Then, Cody met his final college advisor who saw so much potential in him that he threw out all of Cody's old transcripts and gave him a brand new start.
In 2002, Cody graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology, and in 2005 he received a Masters in the same area of study and is currently a three time National Champion in the area of Track and Field and a National Champion in Taekwondo in the area of board breaking. He has now been married for 21 years to Jolee Colchado who is a special education teacher and has two beautiful children, an 18 yr. old daughter named Tabitha and a 9 yr. old son named Cody. He contributes his success to various friends and family members who loved and encouraged him along his journey. Cody expresses that he faces, today, the same fears that so many of the students at conference experiences, the fear of acceptance. He believes that once you learn about the culture of the deaf-blind community, you can choose to either embrace it or ignore it. He desires to travel and give motivational speeches all over the nation. He believes that he has so much to offer to so many, a sentiment we both share. I asked Cody if he had any advice for our young adults, he said, "Find one gift God has given you and be the very best at this gift that you can possibly be." Thank you Cody, this is great universal advice for all.
Now, we would like to thank all those who participated or sponsored in this event in any way. You will never know what an impact you have made on the lives of these students and families.
Special Thank You to Toni Hollingsworth, Mississippi Deaf Blind Project, for hosting this year's incredible event!!!
Angel Perez
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