Miss-Delectable
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http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_4035376
Tennille Thomas doesn't shy away from challenges.
The 29-year-old El Monte resident said she loves working with people of all ages and abilities.
And being deaf since birth hasn't been an obstacle for her - just another challenge.
Thomas is the first deaf student to complete the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program at Hacienda La Puente Adult School.
"I noticed there aren't any deaf CNAs except for me, so I felt like I should do it," Thomas said. "It has been a challenge for me, but I've learned a lot."
Thomas recently passed her state licensing test and currently works as a caretaker of handicapped people for Success Inc., an agency based in Orange County.
Preferring to work without an interpreter, Thomas said she uses body language, gestures and writing to communicate. At first, some patients are uncomfortable, but Thomas' "never give up" attitude quickly puts them at ease. She's never had a complaint.
"No one's been critical," Thomas said. "It seems I'm actually pretty popular."
Thomas' cousins, who also work in the health care field, were incredulous at first that she could communicate with patients.
"They think that because I'm deaf, I can't do it; it's not right," she said.
In fact, patients prefer Thomas over her hearing counterparts, according to Bonnie Kollman, the adult school's CNA program director.
"She's more observant of their feelings," Kollman said. "She got so much more compassion and understanding than a hearing person."
Thomas said she wants work in a clinic or in a hospital and care for babies, the elderly and everyone in between. She's also interested in physical therapy and massage.
Thomas is known as an all-around helpful person. She taught a new student how to use the bus system, and tutored other deaf and hard-of-hearing students for their DMV tests.
"She sees what people need and gives it," said Ginny Overton, the hearing-impaired literacy instructor.
Thomas grew up in Los Angeles and attended El Camino College and Pasadena City College. A vocational rehabilitation counselor recommended Hacienda La Puente Adult School and told her to give the CNA program a try.
Thomas learned alongside hearing students, used modified equipment to take blood pressure without a stethoscope and watched training videos with captions. She finished the program in eight months, and passed the state exam in May.
Tennille Thomas doesn't shy away from challenges.
The 29-year-old El Monte resident said she loves working with people of all ages and abilities.
And being deaf since birth hasn't been an obstacle for her - just another challenge.
Thomas is the first deaf student to complete the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program at Hacienda La Puente Adult School.
"I noticed there aren't any deaf CNAs except for me, so I felt like I should do it," Thomas said. "It has been a challenge for me, but I've learned a lot."
Thomas recently passed her state licensing test and currently works as a caretaker of handicapped people for Success Inc., an agency based in Orange County.
Preferring to work without an interpreter, Thomas said she uses body language, gestures and writing to communicate. At first, some patients are uncomfortable, but Thomas' "never give up" attitude quickly puts them at ease. She's never had a complaint.
"No one's been critical," Thomas said. "It seems I'm actually pretty popular."
Thomas' cousins, who also work in the health care field, were incredulous at first that she could communicate with patients.
"They think that because I'm deaf, I can't do it; it's not right," she said.
In fact, patients prefer Thomas over her hearing counterparts, according to Bonnie Kollman, the adult school's CNA program director.
"She's more observant of their feelings," Kollman said. "She got so much more compassion and understanding than a hearing person."
Thomas said she wants work in a clinic or in a hospital and care for babies, the elderly and everyone in between. She's also interested in physical therapy and massage.
Thomas is known as an all-around helpful person. She taught a new student how to use the bus system, and tutored other deaf and hard-of-hearing students for their DMV tests.
"She sees what people need and gives it," said Ginny Overton, the hearing-impaired literacy instructor.
Thomas grew up in Los Angeles and attended El Camino College and Pasadena City College. A vocational rehabilitation counselor recommended Hacienda La Puente Adult School and told her to give the CNA program a try.
Thomas learned alongside hearing students, used modified equipment to take blood pressure without a stethoscope and watched training videos with captions. She finished the program in eight months, and passed the state exam in May.
