Thinking about signing up for an ASL Tremont Brainery workshop with Keri November? …There is still time!

If you are interested in signing up for an ASL Tremont Brainery workshop with Keri November there is still time! Go to TremontBrainery.com, click on “events,” then select your class.

by Keri November

Some of you may wonder what day-to-day life is like for a Deaf person. Well, here it goes!

I was born Deaf. I did not learn American Sign Language (ASL) until I was 15. I had hearing aids which were not helpful. It was not until I was 17 years old that I received a Cochlear Implant and learned how to recognize sounds and words. I can read lips, but it is challenging to have a conversation without the Cochlear Implant if an individual does not know ASL.

It was difficult to meet and connect with new people in NYC/Long Island as the mentality is different. People are always in a rush and usually stressed out. It was uncommon for me to meet someone willing to take the time to communicate with me.

You may be wondering how did I end up in Cleveland?

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Tremont Brainery: Social Security Disability 101 Workshop with Andrew November on 11-10-21

by Michael Jankus

Disability attorney Andrew November will be hosting one of his Social Security Disability 101 workshops over Zoom on Wednesday, November 10 through the Tremont Brainery.

Andrew November is a litigator at Liner Legal LLC. in Old Brooklyn and a Tremont resident, along with his wife, Keri November, who happens to also be one of the people responsible for the Tremont Brainery.

The seminar is free and open to anyone of any age seeking information about or considering Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance.

“I can talk about this stuff with my eyes closed, I give out my phone number all the time, I’m always happy to answer questions,” Andrew said. “I’ve been living in Tremont for six years and I’m like, ‘why have I never targeted something towards our community?’ So when I got this opportunity from my wife. . . I’m here in this community, I live and breathe this, so I want to provide this information.”

For the past 11 years as an attorney Andrew has been speaking at high schools, colleges, senior centers and medical practices with the crucial message not to wait until it’s too late.

“They’ve had a traumatic accident, or a progression of a condition they might have lived with and worked with for 20 years, or a sudden onset of an illness,” he said. “So they don’t get educated about an extremely complex system until they are forced to apply, or got a denial and can’t believe they’re denied because they think they’re disabled.”

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Tremont Brainery Hosts its First Workshop at Limelight, Electric Gardens on 8-4-21

by Jack Ricchiuto and Keri November

In every community, there are amazing varieties of unknown talents. People have talents in things like cooking, gardening, languages, technology, repairs, writing, speaking, leadership, startups, parenting, grandparenting, exercise, nutrition, wellness, sports, games, arts, crafts, travel. 

Tremont Brainery is a volunteer effort hosting Tremont neighbors teaching neighbors in any area of interest you can imagine. 

Neighbors include anyone who lives, who works, or who is friends with people in Tremont. 

Free classes are available – some virtual and some in person. Sign up to be a teacher or learner.

Background

During 2020, we all did our best to distance ourselves from those we care about for their health and our own until things started to look up. It was incredible to see how the community of Tremont came together during such a difficult time. 

Now that we’re gaining some semblance of normalcy, we wanted to discuss ideas to keep that sense of community going. 

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