Z You at the Deaf Seniors of America Conference

I’m here in Las Vegas hanging with 1,800 Deaf senior citizens.  And what a cool group they are to hang out with!  I can’t help myself– I find that I get into conversations with them and want to hear their stories of growing up and where they worked at.  One guy worked at Coke for 38 years…another is a tax attorney… a couple of them worked their way up at the post office to management level and all sorts of other jobs.  At the Z booth, while they try out the Z-340 videophone, some of them have been sharing stories of how they had no phones and had to send letters to their friends to arrange a visit.

Today, we revealed our very own “Dr. Z,” the infamous Phil Bravin who is the original Deaf tech geek.  He can remember playing around with code many years back and he recently put together a neat website for everything Z:

Doctor Z’s website

Dr. Z

Dr. Z

Marlee Matlin arrived at noon to sign her books for over two hours.  She took a moment to pose with Laurel and Hardy (yes, they work for the Z team too!):
Marlee Matlin with Laurel and Hardy

Marlee Matlin with Laurel and Hardy

U. S. Chung, the Z Project Manager drew a crowd of his own this afternoon:
USC shows the Z-340 to Seniors

USC shows the Z-340 to Seniors

We’ll be at the Z booth on Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon.  If you’re at the DSA conference, stop by and say hi!
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Greetings from Vegas

Where in the world is Karen?  In Vegas.  Not exactly my favorite place in the U.S. but I’m learning to like it this week because I’m with a great bunch of people from the Z team and the Deaf Seniors of America.  I’m working the Z booth all week at the conference, so if you’re in Vegas, stop by Paris and say hi.

On Sunday, we had a free day to explore the strip so a few of us went to the roller coaster at New York.  Later that night we went to the Stratosphere and tried the rides on the top.  I discovered that I have a new fear of heights.  There was one ride that throws you over the edge– ack!  Poor Manny Johnson, I ended up squeezing the heck out of his hand when we went over the edge.  Later that night, I woke up in the middle of a nightmare– the brakes on the ride failed and down we went. 

Thank goodness it was only a dream.

Let's go on the roller coaster!

Let's go on the roller coaster!

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Tags: CSDVRS, Uncategorized by DeafMom
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Yes, I Have a Messy House

Today, my blog post from the Chicago Moms Blog was syndicated in several newspapers across the U.S. 

Now everyone knows I have a messy house.  I’m making the kids clean it.

Sacramento Bee

Family Wire, North Carolina

Centre Daily Times, PA

Lorain County Moms

But hey, come on over for a visit!  Just be sure to wipe your feet before you enter.

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Tags: It's All About Me by DeafMom
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Karen Putz Named To National VCO Position

Karen Putz Named To National VCO Position

CLEARWATER, Fla. [June 1, 2009] — ZVRS has named Karen Putz as its Z Video Solutions manager responsible for national voice carry-over (VCO) services. She also serves as sales manager for Illinois.

“We are delighted to have Karen take on a leadership role for our national VCO services,” said Tim Rarus, ZVRS vice president of sales. “As a VCO user herself, Karen understands the unique needs and challenges of these customers. Her dedication to customer service will greatly benefit The Z™ VCO users.”

Putz joined the company in October 2008 as a VCO outreach specialist, becoming sales manager in January 2009. The position involves working with deaf and hard of hearing customers to meet their videophone needs and managing a team of Z Specialists, who are responsible for installing Z products for customers.

In her new role, Putz provides nationwide outreach, focusing on customers who use VCO services. ZVRS specializes in one-line VCO, enabling customers to use their voice with Z products without the need for a second phone or additional phone line, a requirement when using many other VCO products.

“I love my work at ZVRS. There’s nothing more thrilling than seeing a customer connect with others via our Z products and services,” said Putz. “I work with a great team, and I enjoy having many different opportunities to work with deaf and hard of hearing individuals from all over the U.S.”

About The Z™

ZVRS (The Z™) is a product of CSDVRS, the first video relay services (VRS) provider to offer 24/7 availability, Spanish VRS, video mail and personal 800 numbers. Launched nationally in 2000, CSDVRS was developed by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals based on feedback from the nation’s deaf and hard of hearing community. Today, the company remains the dedicated to that same spirit of innovation and commitment to excellence, continuing to set the industry standard as the nation’s premier VRS provider. For more information about ZVRS and The Z™ family of products, please visit zvrs.com. 

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How Can I Have a 16-Year-Old??

We all woke up late this morning.  The alarm didn’t go off–I guess I forgot to set it last night.  We hustled around as usual and my oldest took off through the front door and hopped into the waiting Suburban.  A few minutes later, my eyes grew wide, my mouth hung open and my shoulders sank.

I forgot my son’s birthday.

That’s right, my oldest kiddo is now 16 years old.  I shipped him off to school without so much as a “Happy Birthday honey!”   He didn’t have his phone with him, so I couldn’t text him.  So I called his bus driver and left a message on his voice mail– to tell my son that I wished him a Happy Birthday. 

So, to erase this awful Mommy-guilt, I went to Panera and bought his favorite sandwich and dropped it off at school with a note.

Happy Birthday to my oldest baby– you were born just yesterday!

Sixteen.

How is that possible?

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Tags: Raising Deaf/HH Kids by DeafMom
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