Season 2, Episode 5 Amplified Podcast

Eduardo chats about college life and his journey with identity. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter Marijo Fiacchino, interprets for Eduardo and offers her perspective on being a professional ASL interpreter.


Episode Transcript
Katie Colella [00:00:00] You're listening to Amplified presented by Lurie Children's. Transcripts of this and all episodes can be found at LurieChildren.Org/Amplified. 
Katie Farnsworth [00:00:12] For our final episode of season two we are excited to share our interview with Eduardo, the older son who Maria calls her teacher. Eduardo chose to share with us via American Sign Language. So you hear the voice of a fantastic ASL interpreter named Marijo Fiacchino speaking on his behalf. 
Katie Colella [00:00:28] During this interview, you will hear the sounds of Eduardo at Marijo's  hands moving, and Marijo  speaking softly as it is part of her process. You will also hear Katie and I frequently pausing while asking questions to allow Marijo enough time to interpret. Much of this was intentionally included to appreciate the importance of using a certified ASL interpreter in clinical care. 
Katie Farnsworth [00:00:52] It was really heartwarming to see just how proud of how proud she is of you. 
Katie Colella [00:00:58] We've enjoyed talking to your mom. 
Katie Farnsworth [00:01:04] Do you remember when your implant was first turned on? 
Marijo Fiacchino [00:01:07] First time? Remember that? 
Katie Farnsworth [00:01:16] For maybe your second one. Do you remember? Like, what are some of your earliest memories of coming to this office or, you know, working with your implants? 
Ed Venalonzo [00:01:36] The first time I heard after three years when I was three years old, I was still I was still surprised. It was a surprise to be able to hear. 
Katie Farnsworth [00:01:48] Yeah. And so you remember that?
Eduardo Venalonzo [00:01:52] Uh? Kinda. 
Katie Farnsworth [00:01:54] Yeah. I mean, it's it's pretty awesome that even just a small memory from over, you know, over a decade ago, almost two decades ago. That was a big moment for your family, for your mom, for you, of course. And that really kind of started the journey for you. And so I think any memory you have is fantastic. Do you remember getting your second implant a few years later? 
Eduardo Venalonzo [00:02:29] The second one. The first one, I don't remember this. The first one and second one I did, I remember that was fine. But it's difficult because that's how people look. Is that new or is it different cochlear implant? It was just like the second one and it was successful. 
Katie Colella [00:02:58] Yeah. And there was a pretty big period of time, too, before you got your second implant, too. So I'm sure that experience was probably a little bit different also? 
Marijo Fiacchino [00:03:06] Also later, that was my experience. 
Eduardo Venalonzo [00:03:14] Yes, it was. 
Katie Colella [00:03:17] In the first season of Amplified on the podcast. We talked a lot about identity. How do you identify yourself when it comes to hearing and sign? Or in general?
Eduardo Venalonzo [00:03:44] I'm saying both hard of hearing and deaf. That's how I identify. 
Katie Farnsworth [00:03:51] And there's no, like, one way that we identify ourselves, right? It's like a whole continuum. 
Eduardo Venalonzo [00:04:05] Correct? That's right. Yeah. 
Katie Farnsworth [00:04:07] How else, how else would you describe yourself? Like, if you had to kind of describe yourself to another person who's never met you before, how would. What would you say? 
Eduardo Venalonzo [00:04:23] If someone were to meet me, I would feel like, over the past year's, maybe it was, I mean, after three years went on during my high school years, I was shy. I wouldn't talk to people. Maybe, I wouldn't...I was too shy to talk to people like that, hearing people, you know. And now I'm not shy. I talk to my hearing friends and and I can meet new friends who are hearin