Divya

Hello,

My name is Divya Goel. I am currently living in Orlando, Florida.

I have Usher Syndrome Type 1. I have one cochlear Implant to hear environmental sounds. I am using Pidgeon Sign in English and do know some international Sign languages.

I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada until 1998, when my family moved to Orlando, Florida. I was a student at Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida. I participated in the Miss FSD Talent Pageant for three years and was crowned Queen. I participated in the Super Bowl half time show to sign a song with Grammy award singer, Alicia Keys.

I graduated from FSDB with a Special Diploma in 2005. I returned to FSDB in the Post- Graduate program, but I decided to transfer to public high school in Orlando, Florida to earn a standard diploma. I completed all 24 credits of the standard diploma requirement in 2 and half years. I then entered Valencia College in 2009. I  graduate from Valencia College on May 8, 2016 YAY!!! I have been attending to College for 7 years.

In summer 2009, I was one of 6 Deaf Blind leaders who went to Washington, DC with a group known as Deaf Blind Citizens in Action. We met President Obama in the Oval Office and I gave a big HUG to President Obama!!

In the same year, November 2009, a group of American ladies went to Uganda, Africa for the Helen Keller World Conference. Emily Taylor Snell, Florida and Virgin Islands Deaf Blind Collaborative Project, was my SSP and traveled with me. Emily and I had much fun and learned lots about those Countries, cultures and various types hearing and vision loss. It was great experience!!! I have known Emily since 2003 and I have been grown up to work with her for many years.

 Since 2005, I have been a participant in many Deaf Blind events such as Helen Keller National Center 2 week summer program, GA/FL retreat, etc. taught by different Deaf Blind leaders. Then in 2009 to 2010, I became the first mentor for the retreat in Florida and developed my skills as a mentor with different work experiences. Then in 2011, I became Co-chairperson for the Youth Program Committee for American Association for the Deaf -Blind Symposium. Then I became a mentor for Young Adults Summer Program in HKNC for 3 years then become a facilitator for 4 years. I also do a presentation about “Self Determination and the Journey to be Successful”.

The hobbies I enjoy the most are: knitting on the loom knit to donate to charity, reading books, watching moves, listening to Bollywood music, doing dance, serving people, and I enjoy traveling around the USA and other countries.

I am looking forward to meeting and working with many of you this summer.