A Sign of a True Professional

Lisa visits Antigua on one of her many cruises

Lisa loves to cruise, there's no doubt about that! I think it's safe to say, Lisa might just be one of those interpreters who could spend week after week on a cruise ship, visiting exotic destinations. But alas, Lisa's talents are also needed back at home in Jacksonville, where she works as an Equal Employment Access (EEA) Specialist in the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission (HRC). She also works as a freelance interpreter in her "spare time" in college classes, at a variety of stage shows, and helping Deaf individuals make phone calls.

Like many of the interpreters I meet, Lisa seemed to accidentally fall in to this profession. During her previous career, Lisa had a client who was Deaf. Wanting to make sure she could communicate with her client, Lisa began taking sign language classes offered by a local church. Lisa also had a co-worker whose wife was also Deaf, and after forming a fast friendship, they began encouraged Lisa to pursue her interest while helping her signing skills.

“Back then I was signing at every chance I had. I even signed when I read my boys bedtime stories, even though they didn’t like that too much,” Lisa said.

When Lisa's offices closed in 1996, she decided to take her career in a different direction, went back to school to earn her degree in signing and went on earn her state and national certifications in American Sign Language. Now, Lisa works with several agencies, local colleges helping hearing impaired students take classes, and a video relay service (VRS) agent. 

Between her mainland work and her work on cruises, it's obvious Lisa's a busy lady. One might be left to wonder how she has time for anything else. What I can tell you is Lisa might just be one of the most active people I know.

From zip lining through the jungles, riding horses on the beach, if Lisa can find the adventure, you can bet she's first in line. But the quieter side of Lisa also just wants a good book, sitting by the water, with good food, and a killer sunset. Of all the places Lisa has traveled, still her favorite place is her hometown of Hollywood Beach, Florida.

Lisa's list of must haves? Family, friends, food, and fun... what more could anyone ask for? Lisa describes her perfect day like this:

"I would gather my immediate family make sure they are all there; my sons could bring their girlfriends, my mom and sisters and their families, and we would play and eat the whole day away. Some outdoor games like Frisbee, then rest up indoors with some silly, fun, playfully competitive board games. My older sister, the best cook in the world, would have to whip up a feast like a Mexican buffet including desserts, and we would eat & laugh the day away."

That sounds pretty good to me, Lisa. Pretty darn good. 

I've enjoyed working with Lisa tremendously over the past several years, and I look forward to many more. 

THANK YOU, LISA! CareVacations appreciates you!!!!!

Trust in CareVacations

At CareVacations, we understand that cruise passengers and cruise lines have choices in which companies they can trust with their disability-related needs and services. There are a number of organizations who try to do what we do, but there is always something missing.

You don't have to take our word for it; check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and see how we stack up against the rest.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) 

CareVacations proudly boasts an A+ rating after nearly 25 years of conducting business. Compare our rating with other companies who claim to provide similar services and we're confident you will see why CareVacations is the most trusted company in the industry. 

One thing you can trust is that CareVacations is the real deal. We have spent 25 years advocating for disabled cruise passengers and we are proud to partner with those cruise lines who share the same passion for equal access.
Check us out! We want to hear from you!

Remember the Days When...?

When I read Nicole’s bio that was the first cliché I thought of… Remember the days when… interpreters didn’t get paid for working cruises? That’s just how long Nicole’s been working in the cruise industry. WOWZA!

Nicole’s inspiration for becoming an interpreter came after meeting a brother and sister who were Deaf and deciding she wanted to know how to communicate with them. Through self teaching and help from her new friends, and encouragement from her manager, Nicole decided that becoming an interpreter was her calling, and so began her journey. After graduating from college in Minnesota with her AAS in sign language, Nicole made her move to warmer weather in Texas, the place she now calls home with her two Chihuahuas, Lexi & Lola.

For the past 10 years, Nicole has found herself working as a full time freelance interpreter in a variety of settings… college course work, medical, private business, concerts, and festivals, and more… which is what she says she loves most about her job. “I love most all settings. I really love my work and it challenges me every day!” But in addition to all that, Nicole still likes to find time to cruise. Her cruise work has afforded her the opportunities to travel all over the world, including Italy, Spain, France, Greece, the Ukraine, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean. “St. Lucia and Barbados are my favorites,” she says. “There always are people rushing to the Caribbean and [to this day] I still get excited to work [those itineraries]!”

Besides the travel, what Nicole really enjoys about cruises is the variety of people she gets to meet. “I love working cruises [since] I get the opportunity to meet so many great people from across the world, cruisers, ship staff and [other] interpreters.”

While interpreting is certainly a passion for Nicole, there’s another side to this die-hard Vikings fan. Besides cheering on her favorite football team, Nicole enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially her nieces and nephews. She’s also a history buff, which makes traveling all the more interesting. Music, movies, and comedy entertain Nicole and her friends when they are out an about, and speaking of music… Nicole plays the clarinet and hopes to play in the community orchestra! Her musical inspiration? Michael Jackson! Well, not quite. But she did tell me a funny story that involved her childhood Michal Jackson poster… you’ll have to ask her! ;-)

What I find particularly refreshing about Nicole is her connection to other, not just in her work but in her personal life; she has a genuine appreciation for others. When I asked her if she could spend 24 hours with anyone, anywhere, Nicole said she’d like to spend that time with her late uncle Thomas, cruising through the Arizona desert is his beloved jeep, maybe with a scoop of ice cream, all while she soaks up his stories and wisdom.    

It’s clear to anyone why Nicole is so loved amongst her friends and family and why she’s so highly regarded in her profession. When I need a little advice, Nicole is one of a select group of people I know I can count on for her professionalism and skill. Her smile is infectious, her wit is unmatched, and her charisma is authentic. Not to mention, she always makes me laugh. If you ever have the good fortune of meeting Nicole, I have no doubt she will have the same affect on you. 

THANK YOU, NICOLE! CareVacations appreciates all you do!

Getting to Know The CareVacations Family

     If you have ever called CareVacations, chances are good you’ve received a friendly hello from one of our newest members to the CareVacations team, Teri-Ann Ross.

     In September 2010, Teri-Ann joined the CareVacations family and was a welcome addition to our corporate office team in Leduc, Alberta, after completing her Fine Arts degree. At 21, Teri-Ann’s passion is all about the arts; she loves to sing, play the guitar & banjo, volunteers for her church’s music program, and is presently involved with production of “Kiss Me Kate” at her local theater company.

     Another of Teri-Ann’s passions is her deep love and devotion to the orphans in Haiti. Coordinated through her church, Teri-Ann volunteered at several orphanages in the earthquake-ravaged country, specifically giving attention to those children with special needs.
    

Terri-Ann and Shenaid playing with bubbles. Shenaido has Hydrocephalus, is confined to a wheelchair, and has limited mobility in the left side of his body.

     After her trip to Haiti, Teri-Ann continued her volunteer efforts in Haiti by coordinating donations of medical equipment for the orphanages she had visited just weeks before. She is also hopeful to revisit Haiti on an annual basis, continuing her work in the orphanages and helping children with disabilities.

     Her initial trip to Haiti was so inspiring, Teri-Ann now plans to return to school and earn a degree in Physical/Occupational Therapy, and applying her knowledge to the long-term care of the Haitian orphans.

     Teri-Ann’s been a great asset to the CareVacations family. We’re proud of her accomplishments and her contributions to our company, as well as her outstanding position as a member of our community. THANK YOU, TERI-ANN!

Signing Her Way Across the High Seas…

When I was introduced to Pilar a couple of years ago, I knew right away she was going to add a tremendous amount of personality and passion to CareVacations' sign language interpreter program. After her first assignment with CareVacations, Pilar became a permanent fixture on our roster and continues to work our cruise assignments on a regular basis.

Pilar resides in California, but after getting to know her, I have no doubt her heart is with the sea. When I asked Pilar how many cruises she's taken, she couldn't even remember! "Is that sad?", she asked after responding. Not at all, Pilar!

In addition to cruising, Pilar does some freelance work in a variety of settings, although she did indicate to me, she would love nothing more than to just interpret for cruises. Sounds like someone who loves the high seas to me! If it's true what they say about a picture saying a thousand words, I think Pilar's picture says it all!

Pilar has been interpreting professionally for over a decade after accidentally falling in to the career. As a college student, Pilar found herself interpreting for a fellow student during times when the official interpreter was delayed or absent. After inquiring about the importance of punctuality and attendance of an interpreter, Pilar was offered the opportunity to get certified in her skills as a sign language interpreter and become a paid interpreter for students.

Interpreting cruises gives Pilar profound gratification in being able to help facilitate making a complete stranger's travel dream come true and is an easy for for this adventurous interpreter; her passion for exploration and love of laughter and fun makes her a perfect candidate for this work.

In addition to cruising, Pilar's interests include anything that embodies cultural diversity; she loves to travel, read, dance, and she loves live music. Pilar is especially passionate about the theater... another reason why she makes a great addition to any cruise.

I asked Pilar to describe what her perfect 24 hours would be like and she painted this picture for me: "I like life with a bit of spontaneity, and I would make sure to have the following: the best cup of coffee, the finest, freshest salad, daylight of leisure with a novel upon a sailboat, and an evening of wine, music, and friends."

How would I describe Pilar in just one word? I wouldn't... it's just not possible. So I will take the liberty of using several words: PASSIONATE, DEDICATED, SPIRITED, PROFESSIONAL, LIVELY, CONFIDENT, DELIGHTFUL, ADVENTUROUS... and on, and on.

So CHEERS to Pilar and all that she brings to CareVacations' program and all that she adds to the experiences of the countless passengers who have had the privilege and honor of having her as their interpreter!

Thanks, Pilar, for everything you do!

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A Deaf Man Walked in to a Bar...

No, this isn't the start of a joke, but it was the start to Melanie M.'s interpreting career. As a bartender in southern Illinois, Melanie realized her calling as a sign language interpreter when a customer came in to her bar, signing with a companion. Using the little sign language she knew, Melanie asked the customer what he wanted to drink. After seeing the overjoyed look on her customer’s face for her ability to communicate with him, Melanie knew what she wanted to do, and she had to do it quick! Thanks to her ability to communicate with sign language, and no doubt a little promotion by the signing customer, Melanie’s bar was flooded with Deaf and hard of hearing customers on the nights she worked!

As a child, Melanie recalls seeing her mother sign with relatives; over time, Melanie and her sister learned some of the basics of signing from their mother. She tells the story, “My mom says she taught me sign language because it was a different language, and it was her way of exposing me to different experiences. I think she taught me sign language so she could “yell” at me while she played piano from the church stage when my sister and I were causing mischief in the pews!”

A single mother of two, Mason (5) and Laiken (3), Melanie knows a thing or two about teaching kids to sign. Her son Mason is a great signer and loves to sign secrets to her. When Melanie signs to her daughter, Laiken likes to respond with, “Mommy, I can’t hear you!” Sounds a little bit like a young Melanie sitting in the church pews! ;-)

Now in her ninth year as an interpreter, Melanie currently works as a Video Interpreter and is also a freelance interpreter. Before moving to North Carolina in 2009, Melanie established her own business in Chicago, signing for theatrical performances. Theatrical interpretation is Melanie’s true passion, which makes her a great fit for interpreting on cruises. The wide range of skills required to interpret on a cruise are a perfect fit for Melanie’s tremendous talent and skill set, and she really enjoys meeting the cruise staffs and passengers.

Working with Melanie has been a pleasure for me and CareVacations is very lucky to have her as a part of our team.

THANK YOU, MELANIE, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!!!