December 2007 newsletter - DHHR

W EST V IRGINIA C O MM ISSIO N FOR T HE D EAFAND HARD O F HEAR INGCapitol ComplexBuilding 6, Room 863Charleston, West Virginia 25305Phone: 1-866-461-3578 (v/tty)Fax: 304-558-0937E-mail: wvcdhh@wvdhhr.orgWest Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of HearingAn office within the West Virginia Departmentof Health and Human ResourcesJoe Manchin III, GovernorMartha Yeager Walker, SecretaryWe’re on the Web!wvdhhr.org/wvcdhhREADY-Continued from Page 1Finally, Payton decided to attend West Virginia State University. She started out as an Englishmajor but changed to Criminal Justice.“I love criminal justice,” Payton said. “I’ve visited prisons and I met a deaf man who works for theFBI.”Last summer she had the opportunity to do an internship with Kanawha County Magistrate KimAaron.“I loved the whole court process. I especially like being part of everything that goes on behind thescenes,” Payton said.Payton enjoyed going to school but still felt something was missing in her life. Some friendsinvited her to their church and it has made a big difference. “My faith affects what I do now, thedecisions that I make.”Payton hopes that she can be a role model for other deaf people. “I want more deaf people to knowthat they can do new things and fit in with the hearing world. If someone like me can go to work, goto college and get involved at church, then they can too.”She is comfortable working and socializing with hearing people but she would like to see moredeaf people tell others about deaf culture and what it is like to be deaf. She especially likes to seehearing parents signing with their children because communication is so important.She is not sure what the future will bring after she graduates on December 16.“I don’t want to live on SSI for the rest of my life or depend on other people to give me money.Having a job makes me feel proud because I am earning my own money,” she said.Payton looks forward to new challenges and new experiences.