Susan Stacy

• Name: Susan Stacy

• Age: Early 50s

• Family: Husband, Steven; two daughters, Carita and Rose; and a son, Rex

• City of residence: Sutter

• Occupation: Paraeducator with signs

• What is your favorite part of the job? Working with the kids and making sure they are up to par with grade level

• Hobbies, interests: Gardening, quilting and upholstery

• What kind of pieces do you make? Various things. The more challenging they are to make, the better!

• What do you do with them? I give them away to donations, gifts or raffles.

• Where do you get your news? The Appeal-Democrat newspaper and eyes (observing what happens)

• How long have you been deaf? I lost my hearing at 2 years old from a high fever. There are also six members in my family who became deaf later. Both of my parents, one sister, an uncle and an aunt became deaf at some point in their lives.

• What brought you to the Yuba-Sutter area? Moved here as a bride in 1973

• How would you describe yourself? Helpful. I am willing to help anyone who needs help.

• Tell us about a life-changing experience: When I went to Fiji three years ago for missionary work with the Demo Deaf Evangelic Missionary Organization, I worked with 35 deaf adults. I was shocked that they have nothing, no benefits, no services, no special equipment for the deaf. It changed me, and I realized that material things were not so important.

• What was your first job? Data key operator for Beale Air Force Base

• Whom do you most admire and why? My mother. She was an inspiring and motivating person. She spoke Italian and English, learned ASL at 57 years old. She was born in Italy and came to America when she was 11 years old and became deaf later in life.

• Favorite movie? “Here on Earth”

• Favorite sports? Volleyball and swimming

• What kind of pets do you have? Three dogs and four cats

• What was your favorite/least favorite subjects in school? Least favorites: algebra and science; favorites: history and English

• What are your favorite places to go in the area? Bridgeport. Every year, deaf people gather for the 4th of July celebrations there.

• What are your favorite foods? Thai and Indian

• What was the last good book you read? “Shades of Twilight” by Linda Howard

• Favorite book? “The Last Stand,” a 13-book series about Revelations