Sorry for the Silence

Ok, I've been a little slack on the blog front. Life caught up with me and I had to have a little rest (except that I didn't but oh well).

So the latest in deaf/cochlear implant news is that I'm having a bit of trouble with the noise in my new work office. Each office has it's own air-conditioning unit and the one in my new office is very noisy. This drives me and my cochlear insane. Now I know you're suggesting that I turn the air-conditioning off, and I would do that, except there are some people in the office who feel the heat a bit more than I do so it stays on most of the day........... slowing driving me crazy with the constant buzzing (remember through a cochlear implant the sound is a bit electronic so buzzing is really annoying).

Finally I couldn't handle it anymore so I said something. Now don't get me wrong, my work team are great and we are working on a solution but at one point it was suggested that I just turn my ear off. Let's think about that for a minute. If I suggested the hot people take their shirt off isn't that the same thing? Why is it okay to ask me to remove my cochlear implant? How would people feel if they were asked to remove their glasses because it annoyed others, or how about a person in a wheelchair being asked to leave it outside so it doesn't take up too much room in the office? At first I wasn't offended when they asked me to turn my ear off ( I said no however) but the more I think about it the more I realise how rude it was. If it comes up again I'm going to tell them to take their shirt off and watch for the reaction.

Radio Interview on 6PR (Perth)

Christmas Eve 2014 I was interviewed on the Perth radio station 6PR (http://www.6pr.com.au) about my experiences of having cochlear implants. 

The interview was 20 minutes in total but here is the first 10 minutes.

A few more photos of the movie and then I'll stop talking about it. At least until it gets released :)

The cast, crew and staff from Cochlear.

The Director of unIndian, the producers, the main lead Brett Lee,
the CEO of Cochlear Chris Roberts and ........... me!

The Director talking with the CEO of Cochlear and
Brett Lee (can you spot me in the background?)

Photographs copyright to Kate Ryan

With the CEO of Cochlear - Chris Roberts

A New Career?

This week was a very exciting one. I landed a small part in a new movie being shot in Sydney starring the Australian cricket legend and all round nice guy, Brett Lee. I played the receptionist working at Cochlear - my implants on show in all their glory.

How on earth did this come about you ask? Well,a few scenes were shot on location at the Cochlear headquarters in Sydney. I've been a fan of Brett Lee's for years so when Cochlear asked if there were any cochlear people that wanted to be in the movie I couldn't put my hand up quick enough!!!

So 24 hours later I found myself in hair and make-up, on set, in Sydney and talking to a real life movie director (he was lovely by the way, Anupam Sharma).

IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!

The movie, titled unIndian comes out around March 2015 and if my scenes aren't cut I'll be the most excited person alive.

Jane (in costume) and the gorgeous Brett Lee on set.

Link to an article on the movie:
http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/brett-lee-play-lead-actor-bollywood-unindian

In makeup with the beautiful (and talented) hair and makeup artist.

A little movie for Cochlear

Cochlear Limited asked me for a quick video to show the Cochlear shareholders at the 2014 AGM in Sydney, Australia. This is what I sent them:

Conversations

I asked my son today to turn the sound down on his gaming console. His reply? "Can't you just turn your ears off instead?". Well ……………… I suppose I could ……………….