PAMELA'S DEAF STORIES

Sunday, 21 July 2024

Hanging out with Yamilka Prado since 2023 to the future #1

Last February 6th, 2023 Yamlika first job at GDI.

After 3 night shifts Iast February 9th, 2023 at Algonquin College that where we worked at GDI.

Last Friday March 29th, 2023 Yamilka and I went to Nepean Sportsplex about Warehouse Sales and stayed for lunch plus ordered fries, hot dogs and dranks from 10:30am to 1:30pm but she did invited me and that was her idea .

Nepean Sportsplex

1701 Woodroffe Ave.

EST: 1973

We are waited for OC Transpo take us home from Nepean Sportsplex.

Chance R

137 Woodroffe Ave.

EST:

Last Sunday May 21st, 2023 we went to Chance R for Yamilka's first Birthday dinner and I gave her presents and black cup with gold handle and white letter "Y" and gift card "Starbucks".

Last Sunday July 16th, 2023 I went over first time visited Yamilka's place for supper from 4pm to 8pm and together went on the bus to work. Sorry no picture first together at her place.

Last Saturday August 5th, 2023 we went to our first Gala Award dinner from 4:30pm to 11pm at Elgin Street in Ottawa, Ontario.

Last September 23rd, 2023 we went to Ottawa Deaf Expo and Social Night at Nepean Sportsplex but she is first time and I had been there many times. Then we went over her apartment for supper second times and went on uber but I was first time and went back to Ottawa Deaf Expo until 12am also my daughter picked us up went home.

Social Day

Yamilka's apartment for our supper

Social Night

East Side Mario Restaurant

1861 Robertson Road

EST: 1987

Last Saturday December 2nd, 2023 we and my children went to East Side Mario Restaurant for my Birthday dinner. She gave me presents are red blouse, Mariyln Monroe blouse and red pant.

Last Tuesday December 26th, 2023 Yamilka came over my place for dinner and her first Christmas gifts for 13 years. I gave her presents are Calendar 2024 and pijama.

My Apartment

Her First Christmas gifts from me

Mandarin

290 West Hunt Club Road

EST: 1979

Last Saturday May 11th, 2024 only Yamilka and I went to Mardairan for her second Birthday dinner and I gave her presents are ILY black shirt with sign and black with white sleep mask as "eyes".

That was her idea wanted buffet.

MY COMMENTS: I asked her do the Restaurants have buffets in Cuba then she say "nope" only normal Restaurants but her first time for buffets.

MY COMMENTS: Last Fall 2000 my family in Bracebridge Ontario my Aunt and Uncle from England and my children and I live in Ottawa, Ontario and went to Barrie, Ontario at Mandarin for our first time.

MY COMMENTS: I am so excited have buffet and loved it all kind of foods are changelled.

I bought headband "Birthday Girl " from Dollarama so I put her head before went in.

I gave Yamilka's Birthday gift ILY shirt and sleep mask.

Last Monday July 8th, 2024 Yamilka joined my rode from Para and went to Open House at Hearstwood House from 12pm to 2pm because she wanted to learning about English Language and American Sign Language.

It is about Deaf Adult Upgrading Program,

404 Mc Author Ave in Ottawa, Ontario.

After we left and rode on Para went home around 3pm.

MY COMMENTS: I did helped her that she wanted go back to school and she is going this Fall (September, 2024) also I found information from Facebook by Deaf Community for her.

Last Saturday December 28th, 2024 Yamlika and I didn't made face face for Christmas gifts because she had been sick on Christmas Day at her apartment.

Last Sunday January 26th, 2025 I went on Para to Yamilka's apartment and stayed there from 10am to 10pm.

I gave her second Christmas gifts are foot massage and Spa's basket.

Foot Massage:

and

Spa's Basket included:

- Felt Socks

- Foot Cream

- Foot Mask

- Hand Masks (2x)

- Face Masks (2x)

- Hand Cream

- Bath Sponge

- Bomb Bath

- Iris Soap Bar

- Popeye Candy Sticks (2x) (Cirgettes)

She gave me my first Christmas gifts are mug with hot chocolate powder and Biskiwi chocolate roll wafer.

At Yamilka's apartment

I ate my first Cuba soup but I pour it together instead 2 bowls for lunch and dinner again.

Included:

- Chickpea

- White Rice

- Green Pepper

- Onion

- Potato

- Banana

- Avocado

- Meat

Mandarin

290 West Hunt Club Road

EST: 1979

Last Saturday February 15th, 2025 we went to Mardairan for my belated birthday and our Valentine's Dinner from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

We are waited for our ride from Para then all the way to Mandarin.

My first meal and drank

My second meal and chocolate ice cream with oreo cookies sparkling.

MY COMMENTS: One night, Yamlika and I will try taste mini hamburgers.

I gave Yamilka's first Valentine's gifts:

- White Scrap Massage

- Clear Nail Brushes

- 4 Sided Pedicure Paddle

- Lint Roller Sheets (50 packs)

- 2 Pieces Professional Nail Care

- Q - Tip (350 pack)

- Mini Toothpaste (Crest)

- Toothbrush (1 pieces)

- Black Toothbrush Case

But she didn't give me Valentine's gifts and that ok.

Then our last meals went outside waited for our ride from Para and got home but took Uber for Yamilka and went home.

third birthday dinner

- Black Silicone Face

- Black Soap Box Case

- Spa Black Headband

- Eye Pads (gold)

- Black Pillow Case

- Black Electric Blanket with Control

La Paladar Holguin & Havana

242 Bronson Street

EST: 2024

Last Saturday August 9th, 2025 we went to La Paladar Holguin & Havana Restaurant for Yamilka's very very very belated birthday dinner (since May) because of most rain lots in July and I was out of town in Belleville, Ontario for ODS - SJW School Reunion.

Menu

We are waited our ordered dinner

and

I ate it instead Yamilka because she drank her coffee.

But I drank Canada Dry.

I took pictures myself.

By ceiling roof behind me.

Yamilka gave to me about mini Cuba flag and business card

and

Also

Together

MY COMMENTS: Yamlika never eat Cuba Restaurant for 4 years (2022- 2025) in Ottawa, Ontario but me first time this year.

MY COMMENTS: I gave Yamilka's birthday gifts are: - Electric Blanket

- Black headband

- Black soap bar dish

- 24K Gold Eye Mask "Saimyo"

- Silicone Facial Cleaning Brush

Carlingwood Mall

2121 Carling Ave.

Last Friday October 31st, 2025 I was on rode by Para to met Yamilka at Carlingwood Mall and stayed for our lunch ordered Manchu Wok and drinks for her Brick and my Canada Dry.

We ate our meals excely but her chickens with spicy and my chickens without spicy.

one of each vegetable roll.

After lunch Yamilka walked to Ottawa Public Library behind from Carlingwood Mall and I went to Lowblaws for groceries.

I was not allowed with her because of her meeting from CHS.

Her meeting was late after 1:30pm I went on my rode from Para and went home after 2pm later on she went home by OC Bus after 2:30pm.

We gave Nakia Ouellette (our counsellor from CHS) for gift the reasons why because she helped us about our work problems from GDI by manager.

and Tim Hortons gift card

Last Thursday December 25th, 2025 we didn't go to Casta Mexico Restaurant for my belated birthday and Christmas dinner.

Last Saturday April 4th, 2026 we are take our Ubers to Carlingwood Mall from our apartments then meet at Laurier Optical then shopping at Dollarama and Rexall plus at Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House for our lunch.

2121 Carling Ave. in Carlingwood Mall inside

My ordered B.L.T. Sandwiches with french fries and twice Rise & Berry Smoothies.

Yamilka's ordered Corn Soup with and Smoothie plus Coffee.

I add picture of Yamilka because she was tried open her crackers.

Last Friday evening May 16th, 2026 one of each went on ubers to arrived at Mandarin Restaurant for Yamilka's belated birthday dinner.

Before went to inside but I gave her belated Christmas gifts and Birthday gifts.

We ordered our dinner and dranks from menu.

and

Yamilka's foods and drank (whiskey) but my drank (Canada Dry).

She took picture of fishes at pond by inside then went outside for walked before left homes by Ubers again.

Last Monday June 8th, 2026 we took Uber at 2pm to met us at Cyle Ave then we went walked to Merivale Road stopped by at clinic but was closed because of construction and moved different place.

Then we continued walked to Giant Tiger also supported go to Dollarama but we can't made because of had to went back at Cyle Ave. for Yamilka's Doctor appointment at 4:20pm until after 5pm.

After Doctor appointment we went to cross the road at Walmart for our groceries and inside at McDonald's ate our very late supper.

Yamilka ate single hamburger and 6 pieces of chicken nuggets and I ate McChicken with large fries but I asked her that she can shared mine so she did.

We left at 7:30pm we took Uber again and went home.

Bayshore Mall

100 Bayshore Drive

Ottawa, Ontario

I invited Yamlika went out with me at Bayshore Mall.

Last Saturday June 27th, 2026 before 1pm I went on Uber to Bayshore at front door but Yamilka went on OC Transpo Bus in underground from outside and to met at first floor.

We went to stop by Stitch Store because I need fixed my pant need hem and my long nightgown need made short nightgown from hem.

We went in Old Navy Store Yamilka bought pair blue jean then went to Dollar and Two Dollar Store went in but look around.

We sat at Food Court and ordered our late lunch at A & W Restaurant.

We ordered our lunch are teen burgers, french fries and lemonade juice for Yamilka and sprite for myself.

Instead Root Beer

Then went to Walmart for Yamlika's grocery and Yamilka went home by OC Transpo Bus but for me went Uber again at Fairlawn Mall included Staples and Bulk Barn.

and

Then walked to Swiss Chalet Restaurant by take out for my supper to bought home.

I ordered my foods included double chicken legs, baked potato, garden salad and roll bun.

Then I took Uber again and went home.

Mandarin

290 West Hunt Club Road

EST: 1979

Last Friday October 2nd, 2026 that was Yamilka idea invite by who: Julio Rodriguez, his husband Dunstand, (her neighbor apartment) Viridiana Rochin, herself and myself for first time joined group from 5pm to 7pm.

They took by Uber and myself took by Uber from both ways.

We had great time and was fun together.

Front left side: Julio Rodriguez, Dunstand and

Front right side: Pamela Gow and Yamilka Prado

My first meals Salmon fish, Vegetable Fried Rice, 4 potatoes, 2 Barbecue Spareribs, Vegetable Spring Rolls with cherry sauce and green leaves

My second meals vegetable fried rice but Yamilka gave me extra 2 California Roll Sushis

Ube Vanilla Ice Cream and Mango

Julio Rodriguez (Cuba), Dunstand

(Sri Lanka), Viridiana Rochin (Mexico), Pamela Gow (England) and Yamilka Prado (Cuba).

MY COMMENTS: That was my idea take pictures of 5 of us behind Mandarin Restaurant and inside at dining table with group.

MY COMMENTS: My first met them last Friday October 2nd, 2026.

Viridiana Rochin

MY COMMENTS: Yamlika included me about Viridiana at Mandarin Restaurant

Julio Rodriguez and Dunstand

MY COMMENTS: Yamlika's phone used WhatsApp Video by chatted for a once while

Monday, 1 July 2024

First Deaf Hockey Player (Jim Kyte)

Jim (James) Kyte

1. How I met him?

We met by happenstance. It was a happy coinicidence because he got to meet me.

2. Where he working at?

He work at Algonquin College. He started here in 2002 - 2017 (15 years ago).

3. How long have he been working at Algonquin College from Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourson at H Building?

He have been Dean of the School of Hospitality & Tourism since 2004.

4. Are he born deaf and causes?

Yes, he was born with auditory nerve degeneration. He have a profound 100 decibels.

He begin slowly losing his hearing when he was 3 years old.

5. Did he went to Deaf School and where?

No, his brothers and him were integrated into the regular School system. His Mum fought the School board and prevented his brothers and him from being end to the Belleville School for the Deaf.

He never went to Belleville School for the Deaf. The School board wanted to send him but his Mum said "no".

6. Are he used American Sign Language?

He knew very very little - he not in the environment enough.

7. Have he been in Galladent University?

Yes, he visited the campus back in the late 1980's but he was not a student.

8. What subjects did he take course?

He was a professional hockey player at 18 years old so he never went to University until he was 46 years old. He was mature student in the Royal Road University MBA Program (Master of Business of Administration), Victoria, British Columbia. He graduated in 2012.

9. How long have he been played at Natural Hockey Leaque?

He played in the National Hockey League for 13 Seasons. (1982 - 1998)

10. How old were he started play hockey?

He started playing hockey when he was 5 years old.

11. What team are he and what years?

Winnipeg Jets 1982 - 1989 # 6

Pittsburgh Penguin 1982 - 1991 #3

Calgary Frames 1990 - 1992 # 2

Ottawa Senators 1992 - 1993 # 2

Las Vegas Thunder 1993 - 1995 # 6

San Jose Shark 1994 - 1996 # 2

Kansas City Blades 1996 - 1997 #

Canadian Tire Centre

1000 Palladium Drive

Ottawa, Ontario

12. Have he been involved anything at Deaf Community?

1. He worked with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children at a special camp run by Stan Mikita in Chicago.

Also he ran his own Summer Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids in Toronto, Ontario.

He eventually opened the Jim Kyte Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Ottawa, Ontario, a business which he continued to run after his retirement.

Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are:

- York University, Toronto, Ontario 1986

- Upper Canada College, Toronto, Ontario 1987

- Balmoral School, Winnipeg, Manitoba 1988, 1989 and 1990

- Canadian Police College, Ottawa, Ontario, 1991, 1992 and 1993

MY COMMENTS: My Dad was President and my late Great Uncle but no picture of him also it was.

My Dad

MY COMMENTS: While ago my son Warren and I went to Comic store and asked a person about hockey card for Senator Ottawa but don't have one also the Google have hockey cards are different places instead Senator Ottawa.

I did print it then he did autograph his name on it.

2. Last Thursday September 28th, 2017 he went to visited at The Old Mill in 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario at Dining Room Enterance.

The ticket for: Featuring: Guest Speaker Jim Kyte and The Reverend Bob Rumball Humanitarian Award.

June 29th, 2024

MY COMMENTS: I found more information about Jim Kyte's story.

We are thrilled to congratulate our esteemed Board member and member of the Canadian Hearing Society National Scholarship Committee, Jim Gregory Kyte, on being appointed to the Order of Canada! Jim is renowned as the first deaf player in the history of the National Hockey League. Throughout his career he has championed for greater accessibility and inclusion in sports and is a strong advocate for disability rights. This honor is a testament to his exceptional contributions and dedication. Your passion and commitment inspire us all. Well deserved!

Deaf NHL player Jim Kyte says Canada's Deaflympic athletes deserve financial support

Donna Spencer - The Canadian Press

The first and only deaf NHL player says deaf Canadian athletes who wear the Maple Leaf internationally deserve equitable funding.

Jim Kyte played almost 600 NHL games while wearing hearing aids that shorted out during games because of perspiration. He applied a blow dryer to them between periods.

The 62-year-old from Ottawa will be an assistant coach of the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 2027 Winter Deaflympics.

Kyte is also the fundraising face for all of Canada’s 28 deaf or deafened athletes competing in women’s and mixed doubles curling, cross-country skiing and men’s hockey Jan. 15-24, 2027, in Innsbruck and Seefeld, Austria.

Athletes don’t get funding from national sport federations to compete in the Deaflympics, nor do they receive monthly Athlete Assistance Program cheques, worth up to $27,600 annually, as Olympians or Paralympians do.

“It’s a challenge and right now the funding from Sport Canada is really tied to the Olympic and Paralympic systems,” Kyte said. “The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf, the ICSD, isn’t really recognized by the national sport organizations for qualification for the Athlete Assistance Program, so there are zero athletes that have qualified for the AAP funding.

“I would love to see that change, but that’s a longer conversation that needs to take place with Sport Canada and with our national sport organizations.”

The Canadian Deaf Sports Association set a fundraising goal of $75,000 by December to help send the team to Austria.

“My understanding is it costs about $8,000 per athlete to go,” Kyte said. “That’s what it costs to attend, participate, room and board, flights and everything else.

“The hockey team’s players have all put in thus far approximately $3,000 each to go.”

Over half the fundraising goal has been raised, “which is wonderful,” Kyte said. “That last half is going to be hard to come by. It’s very difficult fighting for the charitable dollar.”

If fundraising exceeds $75,000, extra money would go toward sending a team to the 2028 Pan American Deaf Games in Colombia, said CDSA executive director Alain Turpin.

“This isn’t the first time elite Deaf athletes have faced financial challenges,” Turpin wrote in an email. “Unfortunately, we’re almost used to it. Athletes often have to cover a large part of the costs themselves or organize their own fundraisers just to represent Canada.”

The Winter Deaflympics date back to 1949, and the Summer Deaflympics to 1924.

Athletes must have a hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their best ear — Kyte’s loss is 100 decibels — and aren’t allowed to use hearing aids or external cochlear implants during competition. In hockey, strobe lights signal a stoppage of play.

Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland withdrew their teams from the 2023 Winter Deaflympics in Turkey because of conflict in the Middle East.

About 850 athletes from 30 countries are expected in Austria. Canada’s team includes curler Emma Logan, who was Nova Scotia’s lead in the 2020 Canadian women’s curling championship.

“I’m a big proponent of sport, period,” Kyte said. “Because of my status as the only deaf player in the 108-year history of the NHL, I want to try to use my experience and to try to let other kids that are deaf, and who aren’t being given a fair shake in their communities or by our government and so forth, to try to be the best that they can be.”

Kyte was a first-round pick (12th) by the Winnipeg Jets in 1982. He amassed 1,342 penalty minutes alongside 17 goals and 49 assists for Winnipeg, Calgary, Pittsburgh, Ottawa and San Jose during his pro career from 1982 to 1997.

Kyte will coach for the first time his nephews Johnny and Thomas in Austria. He says two other nephews were eligible to play for Canada, but couldn’t afford to do so.

The Canadian Deaf Sports Association received funding of $400,000 from the federal government’s Sport Support Program on April 1. Inclusion of Deaflympians in the AAP requires consultation with athlete groups, said Canada’s Secretary of Sport.

“We just expanded the Athlete Assistance Program. We increased the number of cards, so now I think it’s just over 1,900 cards across 70 sports and disciplines,” Adam van Koeverden said.

“We would need to sit down with some sport organizations who are looking at the Athlete Assistance Program.”

Only three Canadians headed to the Deaflympics are under the age of 24 and eligible for Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart grants for children and youth, Kyte said.

“These are Canada’s best deaf athletes,” he said. “Just like any of our athletes, whether they are able-bodied or deaf or in a wheelchair or blind or whatever, they need to be treated equally, if not equitably, and certainly the deaf athletes are not being treated on the same level as our peers.”