 |
F eatured Member Profile
|
Liz Cote
When I was asked to write a members profile for Liz Cote, I was pleased to be given the opportunity. Liz is a very thoughtful, caring and warm person. She loves to chat and discuss important topics of interest in the Deaf Community. She is currently a Master’s of Social Work student at UConn School of Social Work in West Hartford and has the heart and soul for that type of work. Her goal is to be a clinical therapist specializing in work with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. If someone were to ask me to describe Liz’s personality in words, I would aptly use thoughtful and sociable. One personality trait that stands out in Liz is that she is a woman with a very strong will and sense of perseverance. She is not a person that gives up easily and in fact embraces challenges. Liz was born hearing in the summer of 1964. At the age of 2, she developed meningitis and a 108 degree fever. Despite all odds, she survived the illness to the amazement of the health practitioners and all those who love her. However, as a result of ototoxic drugs given to save her life, and the illness, she became profoundly deaf. She also had to undergo physical therapy for a year to learn how to walk again as the meningitis had affected her balance and physical ability. Liz was fitted with hearing aides at age three and attended Lexington School for the Deaf in New York City, which employed an oral philosophy while Liz was a youngster. After completing second grade at Lexington, she was mainstreamed fully into both public and private schools in CT. She did not receive any support services of any kind. At age 21, Liz married a hearing man and eventually had two sons, Tyler and Josh. She is now divorced and attending UConn School of Social Work with the goal of becoming a Clinical Social Worker. She plans to graduate with her MSW degree in May of 2008. She envisions in giving back to the world and stated “I have always had a strong humanitarian spirit.” Liz is passionate about her studies at UConn and excited about her upcoming career. Liz’s hobbies include caring for animals including Dobermans. She currently has a beautiful red Doberman named Molly. She loves to read and socialize with friends. Her passions include travel, theatre and visiting museums. She also loves taking long walks and seeing the sunsets. She would like to travel more and is excited about an upcoming trip to Spain next year. Liz is a new addition to the DWC team. She is, to sum it up, a warm caring person and all who meet her will certainly agree. In sum, Liz Cote is thoughtful, perseverant, and an intuitive person whose motto is Interview by Mary O'Shea |
