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LA Daily News - L.A. Deaf Festival takes 'can-do' tone
Ramy Bustamante didn't let his hearing impairment get in the way of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Bustamante, a Riverside resident, is the owner of pyram.com, which sells products and technology to the deaf and partially deaf.
On Sunday, he was among thousands to visit Woodley Park for the fourth annual Los Angeles Deaf Festival. He was there to share his firsthand knowledge on how to start a profitable business.
"At the beginning, I knew I could do anything," he said through an interpreter. "I started out small and got bigger.
"I want to encourage all people to be creative and be assertive, to go out and do it because they can. There are a lot of opportunities."
The festival is aimed at raising awareness and providing resources for the 900,000 residents in Los Angeles County who are deaf or have partial hearing loss. Sponsors include Los Angeles City Councilman Tony C rdenas, the city's Cultural Affairs Department and the city's Department on Disability, and the Deaf Studies Department at California State University, Northridge.
This year's theme was "Deaf Economics Action for Freedom: Making our Dream a Reality."
"The festival provides an opportunity for a community to come together," C rdenas said. "We're a community with a lot of resources. We want to reach out to them."
The festival featured live entertainment, art and self-defense workshops, information booths and the latest in technology for the deaf.
It also offered a venue for hundreds of residents to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with great weather, rock climbing, face-painting and playing in a bounce house.
Bill Pugin of Van Nuys was among hundreds of hearing people who attended to show support for the deaf and hearing-impaired. His older sister, who is deaf, inspired him more than two decades ago to start The Sign Language Co., an interpreting agency.
"I'm here to say hi, see who's here and be a part of the festivities," he said. "You don't have to be part of that community to enjoy it."
Ramy Bustamante didn't let his hearing impairment get in the way of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Bustamante, a Riverside resident, is the owner of pyram.com, which sells products and technology to the deaf and partially deaf.
On Sunday, he was among thousands to visit Woodley Park for the fourth annual Los Angeles Deaf Festival. He was there to share his firsthand knowledge on how to start a profitable business.
"At the beginning, I knew I could do anything," he said through an interpreter. "I started out small and got bigger.
"I want to encourage all people to be creative and be assertive, to go out and do it because they can. There are a lot of opportunities."
The festival is aimed at raising awareness and providing resources for the 900,000 residents in Los Angeles County who are deaf or have partial hearing loss. Sponsors include Los Angeles City Councilman Tony C rdenas, the city's Cultural Affairs Department and the city's Department on Disability, and the Deaf Studies Department at California State University, Northridge.
This year's theme was "Deaf Economics Action for Freedom: Making our Dream a Reality."
"The festival provides an opportunity for a community to come together," C rdenas said. "We're a community with a lot of resources. We want to reach out to them."
The festival featured live entertainment, art and self-defense workshops, information booths and the latest in technology for the deaf.
It also offered a venue for hundreds of residents to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with great weather, rock climbing, face-painting and playing in a bounce house.
Bill Pugin of Van Nuys was among hundreds of hearing people who attended to show support for the deaf and hearing-impaired. His older sister, who is deaf, inspired him more than two decades ago to start The Sign Language Co., an interpreting agency.
"I'm here to say hi, see who's here and be a part of the festivities," he said. "You don't have to be part of that community to enjoy it."
