A Conversation with Dr. Jasmine Simmons!

Extraordinary Dr. Jasmine Simmons is inspiring all of empowEAR’s listeners on today’s podcast.  Dr. Jasmine is a deafblind audiologist and author who just published the first book in her Usher Syndrome Series called Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears.  On this podcast you will hear how Dr. Jasmine’s personal and professional experiences captivate this encouraging story about Jordyn who overcomes judgment for her cochlear implant and hearing aid.  The diverse case of characters, takes readers on an incredible journey of understanding and empathy.  This interview will leave listeners ready to buy this book and share this uplifting story with children to embrace the things which make them unique.  

To find more about Dr. Jasmine Simmons reach out through her website or social media!  

www.drjasminesimmons.com

https://linktr.ee/drjasminesimmons

www.instagram.com/drjasminesimmons/

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You can listen to this episode wherever you stream podcasts and at www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

For more information about Dr. Carrie Spangler- check out her Linktree at https://linktr.ee/carrie.spangler.

For transcripts of this episode- visit the podcast website at: https://empowearaudiology.buzzsprout.com

Transcript

Announcer: [00:00:00] Welcome to episode 65 of empowEAR Audiology with Dr. Carrie Spangler.

Carrie: [00:00:14] Welcome to the empowEAR Audiology podcast, a production of the 3C Digital Media Network. I am your host, Dr. Carrie Spangler, a passionate, deaf and hard of hearing audiologist. Each episode will bring an empowering message surrounding audiology and beyond. Thank you for spending time with me today and let's get started with today's episode. Okay, I have a very special guest with me today, and I'm going to tell you a little bit about Dr. Jasmine Simmons. She is a deaf blind audiologist and an author. She originated from Columbus, Ohio, and she now lives in Jacksonville, Florida. Inspired by her life journey, Dr Jasmine has created a captivating children's book series that sheds light on Usher's syndrome, a condition causing deafness, blindness, and balance balance issues through her unique perspective, Dr Jasmine Story embodies strength and resilience, teaching young readers how to better interact with those who may be different from themselves. Dr. Jasmine's book introduces a diverse cast of characters that takes children on an incredible journey of understanding and empathy. Her characters, both relatable and inspiring, help bridge the gap between children and individuals with diverse abilities, opening doors to to compassion and inclusivity. So, Dr. Jasmine, welcome to the empowEAR Audiology podcast. I'm so excited for you to be a guest today.

Jasmine: [00:02:03] I am so excited to be here today. Thank you so much for having me.

Carrie: [00:02:07] Well, it's so fun to reconnect with you because we have a lot of history together.

Jasmine: [00:02:14] Yeah, we definitely have. Oh my goodness. We met at University of Akron during, uh, my undergrad. Right. That's crazy.

Carrie: [00:02:24] I that was a while ago. And I still remember the day that you came to my door when I was working at the university and introduced yourself. I think you might have been taking a class that you were, um, not excited about taking.

Jasmine: [00:02:46] Yeah. Oh, my goodness. I just I just remember, you know, you being at Akron and just being my mentor, like, it was such a profound time for me. And it was just amazing just having you alongside my journey.

Carrie: [00:03:04] Well. I am so glad that I could be a small part of your journey. And yeah, I'm so excited for everything that you have become. Um, since we met way back in your undergrad, uh, career. Uh, but every time I have someone on the podcast that has gone into audiology, I love to hear their story. And I think our listeners do, too. So do you want to share a little bit about how you decided to have the pathway to audiology?

Jasmine: [00:03:39] Oh, absolutely. So I was born profoundly deaf, and at the age of two, I received my cochlear implant. And throughout my life, I always knew I wanted to be a helper. I knew I wanted to be in the healthcare. And it was when I was in seventh grade, my mom and I were in the car and, you know, you know, little me was thinking like, what should I do with my life? I want to do something, but I just don't know what. And she was like, Jasmine, like, what about audiology? And ever since then, like, oh my gosh. Yeah. Like it just clicked for me. So I just knew that that's what I was destined to do. And I went ahead and achieved that goal.

Carrie: [00:04:26] Yes, he did, and so much more. Do you want to share a little bit about where you're at right now? Working. Uh.

Jasmine: [00:04:36] Yes. So I currently work at Jacksonville Speech and Hearing, a nonprofit clinic, and it's such a great job because, you know, we work with the underserved populations. And if, um, a patient is, um, under the income means and they live in Duval County and Jacksonville, they are eligible to get a free set of hearing aids. So it's just a very rewarding job. And also they can get free speech therapy services, um, through different grants. So it's just very enjoyable to work at the company I am. And just to help people, you know, be able to hear and, um, for them to be able to communicate with their loved ones.

Carrie: [00:05:22] Wow, what a great service to that area. And I'm so glad you're there. Just, um, thinking about, like, before we get into your book and everything, which I really want to talk about, but I know you said like I was a mentor to you, but I know that you have been an incredible mentor to so many people along the way. And I just remember talking to you about being a part of the campUS experience, which, um, Dr Gail Whitelaw and I co coordinate a overnight camp that was at Ohio State University, and we needed counselors who were deaf and hard of hearing. And I remember asking you if you would be willing to volunteer. And I don't even think I told you what you were volunteering for, but you said yes, and then you volunteered your brother.

Jasmine: [00:06:16] Absolutely.

Carrie: [00:06:18] Yes, I sure did. Yeah. You're like, oh, my brother, my brother could be a part of this too. And then, um, but you and Justin were just, like, such an integral part of, like, the startup and of the campUS program and mentoring so many high school students who were thinking about going to college or going to work and had never met anyone else who was deaf or hard of hearing. So I just wanted to thank you for like, your participation in that, because I feel like you were a counselor for at least like 3 or 4 years, maybe even longer.

Jasmine: [00:06:57] Yeah. It was I mean, it was such a wonderful experience. And that was the first like the start of me being a camp counselor. And it was just wonderful being able to see these teenagers bond. And like you said, some of these teens have never met other people with hearing loss. So it's it's only two days. But those two days were such impactful moments for these teens. So I thank you and Dr Whitelaw for even, you know, hosting camps like these because it is so needed. It is so needed. And I know these kids, I, I am Facebook friends with some of them. I see them, you know, in college and, you know, working. I'm just like, oh my gosh. Like I'm just so proud of these kids that go through these programs. And I know they remember these moments because I remember going through camp when I was younger, and I still remember it to this day, and how it has such a empowering or impactful impact on me.

Carrie: [00:08:06] Yeah, definitely. Especially when you're a one and only and a place and you don't have the opportunity to meet someone else, and then you come here and you realize, whoa, like there's other people like me out there in the world. So which is kind of a great segue into your book. So audiologist and author Dr Jasmine Simmons, I'm so excited for you. Because so and I just have to say, I got my book and I am in love with the extraordinary Jordan and her bionic ears. From the character to the illustration to the storyline, everything is phenomenal. So tell me Just for our listeners, can you just share a little like an overview and then we'll dig deeper into into your book.

Jasmine: [00:09:03] Yeah. So, um, I just what really inspired me to write this book. Um, I remember I was an educational audiologist in North Carolina, and I met this family of a little girl who had usher syndrome. And I just remember the mom, just like I signed her up for everything, and I just. I don't know how to explain this to my kid, like, there's nothing really out there. And at that moment, I just knew I was going to write a children's book. I was just knew. I just didn't know when. But I knew it was going to happen. Um, and this past February, I was diagnosed as legally blind. And I was just, you know, sitting there like, what do I want to do? Like what? What will, you know, help me get through this? And that was the time I decided I was going to write the Usher Syndrome series. I just knew it was time. And, you know, as I was writing this book, I actually met a, um, girl. Her name was Jordan, and she was going through some bullying in school and just. You know, dealing with the confidence issue with her hearing loss. And I just knew that that was going to be my character's name. And, you know, just in honor of her. Um, but yeah, it's just it's a really great story, and I can't wait to talk a little bit more about it.

Carrie: [00:10:37] Yeah, I love that. So you had, like, your own personal background, plus your experience as an educational audiologist and then meeting a family who was kind of struggling with how to explain this, and then another person who kind of was having this bullying experience. So kind of a combination of lots of different things. So absolutely. Yeah. Just a step a little bit backwards for a second. Do you want to share a little bit about your hearing history and how like how it's progressed over the years.

Jasmine: [00:11:17] Mhm. So um, I was born deaf. I got my cochlear implant at age of two. At the age of seven, I was diagnosed with a condition called retinitis pigmentosa. Retinitis pigmentosa. And it affects your, um, nighttime vision and it also affects your peripheral vision. So as I got older, my vision has progressed. So that's, uh, at the age of 25, I was officially diagnosed with usher syndrome and through genetic testing. So that's just kind of what prompted me to write the Usher Syndrome series as well, because many people don't know what Usher Syndrome is. So it's definitely was one of my mission to spread the word. What is usher syndrome? So that way, you know, more research can be done, more people can learn about this, and hopefully, you know, they can find a cure one day for sight loss, you know? So that was really my mission to behind this series as well.

Carrie: [00:12:29] Um, and I love how you said earlier too, that this you you knew you always wanted to write this book, but at the same time, you said this was kind of part of your own healing process, too. Can you share a little bit more about that?

Jasmine: [00:12:46] Yeah. So writing this book has been so healing for me. Um, it's just this became my my distraction. This became my baby. Um, you know, so everybody has to find their ways of coping with, you know, a diagnosis. And, you know, writing this children's book was my way of coping and coming to terms with my vision loss. And it actually helped me gain more confidence as I share my story. And it's just, you know, hearing other people going through something similar or could be a few steps behind me or a few steps ahead of me, and it's just so beautiful to be able to communicate with others and just help each other along this journey.

Carrie: [00:13:37] Yeah. It really I love how you talked about those people in front of you and people behind you. That and walking alongside of you that are on this journey and can help with that process too. So extraordinary. Jordan in the book. Um, what is like the main message or theme that you are trying to convey to those who are reading your book?

Jasmine: [00:14:07] You know, as I read this book, I learn there are so many different messages behind this book and I'm like, oh yeah, this is a great for this and this is great for that. Um, but, you know, overall, I wanted kids to show or kids to be confident in who they are. You know, just you are extraordinary. Like that is the overall message. Just be confident and you know, you are going to have some challenges and that is okay. But you will overcome those challenges if you are confident and who you are.

Carrie: [00:14:47] Mhm. Yeah.And I feel like Jordan can represent lots of different areas of confidence. So whether it is, you know, her um bionic ears as you call them when she calls them in the book or it's another area of challenge that like you can still be extraordinary in whatever challenge you have.

Jasmine: [00:15:12] Exactly, exactly.

Carrie: [00:15:16] Um, so as far as, um, the book goes, I you said, you know, the as you keep reading through it, you have found some other like themes and, and ways, um, that people might be able to, to use the book. Do you want to share a little bit more about your the themes in there?

Jasmine: [00:15:40] I mean, it's a great book for social, um, emotional learning. Um, I think it's just it also it's also great book for kids who aren't familiar with, you know, differences, you know, something that's different from them. You know, like Ben in the store doesn't know what this device is. So obviously he's going to act different towards it. But then, you know, he learns more about it. So it's just acceptance and just understanding. And also it's important to I want to relay that kids aren't mean. They just don't understand. And and that's okay. That's when you want to teach those kids that, yes, there may be somebody that looks different from you or have something different from you and just be able to understand and they are unable to understand what is happening.

Carrie: [00:16:42] Yeah and I know that part of part of the book, and I don't want to give it all away because I know people need to read it. Um, but Jordan remembers that, like her dad had said, you know, that you're extraordinary. And she kind of remembers that as part of, you know, kind of getting empowered to stand up for herself and be confident. Is that another message, like for parents, guardians, like teachers, different, you know, mentors and, um, figures in their life to, to teach this?

Jasmine: [00:17:18] Oh, absolutely. It's. Words matter. Kids pick up on positivity and they also pick up on negativity. So just empowering kids is so important because that really affects alters their confidence and helps them be more confident. So definitely like affirmations, you know you are extraordinary. You know you're hearing loss doesn't make you less than like you are extraordinary.

Carrie: [00:17:51] Yeah. So on a personal level, does Jordan reflect you at all?

Jasmine: [00:17:59] Um, there is definitely some personal moments in that story that I personally experienced that I wanted to convey in that story, and that also was healing, just talking about it, you know? So and just I know I'm not alone in this. And so I want kids other to see this and be like, oh, you know, it actually it has happened. That happened to me. Or, you know, I just want them to be confident. Um, that's just really, truly the overall message I really want to convey is be confident in who you are. Because, you know, my parents instilled that in my brother and I, you know, that is why I am the person I am today. Because, you know, my parents have never made us feel ashamed of who we are and just taught us to embrace it. So that's also with the parents, you know, positivity that also conveys through my parents as well.

Carrie: [00:19:03] Yeah. And I know both of your parents and I can see how they would have instilled that in you, um, throughout, throughout your life too. So I love how that shines through in the book, too. So kind of talking about the nuts and bolts of the book, like, were there any challenges that you had, like getting started writing your book or all of that? You said it was a long process, but what were your challenges?

Jasmine: [00:19:35] Oh my goodness. Um, the day I decided to write a book and I had no idea how much work it went into writing the book, you know, just you have to worry about, you know, copywriting, the book and, you know, getting the ISBN numbers and, um, you know, getting beta readers, like, I didn't know you had to do all that. It was just all trial and error, you know, just learning as I go, asking different authors, hey, you know, what should I do? And one was like, yeah, you need beta readers. I was like, oh, I do. Okay. Um, and it's just beta readers really help shape your book. You know, you have all these different visions and, you know, they help like, whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down. Okay, let's talk this through. It doesn't make sense, you know, put it together. So it was just very helpful. And gain editors, developmental editors, there's a lot that goes through writing a children's book, but it was very rewarding.

Carrie: [00:20:46] But it was. And your illustrator too, was amazing. How did you find her?

Jasmine: [00:20:55] Oh my goodness, I, I truly lucked out with my illustrator. Um, I went on the platform called Upwork and oh my goodness, she was the very first person that actually reached out to me. And I was like, okay. And I did a little bit more research. And then I just saw that, um, what really drew me in was she had a just a person who had, um, an amputated leg. And I just like, wow, okay. So I'm like, you know what? Let me check her out. And she exceeded beyond my expectations. She just I love her, and she did an amazing job.

Carrie: [00:21:42] So did you ever meet her in person or. This was all, like, visual, like videos or virtually.

Jasmine: [00:21:49] Um, I have not met her in person. She lives in California, so I hope to meet her in person one day. And I hope we can work together on other projects as well.

Carrie: [00:22:04] Yeah. And you kind of mentioned, um, when when I read your bio too, that this is the Usher Syndrome series. So what did that mean for Jordan?

Jasmine: [00:22:17] So actually, Jordan is I actually want to do different people for my books. However, Jordan will appear in my final series. Um, so I my vision is to as I meet people, I want to name my characters after people I have met. Um, and so that way those kids can see them in the book and feel inspired.

Carrie: [00:22:49] Ah, I love that. So what is, um, the real Jordan that this book is named after? Has she, um, given you any feedback about the book?

Jasmine: [00:23:02] Yeah, she absolutely loved it. And I remember the day I told her that I was naming my character after her. She, her mom was was telling me that she was so excited that she went and told everybody at her school saying, you know, I have a character named after me. And it was just heartwarming just to see how her face lit up when she found out that her her name was being used.

Carrie: [00:23:32] Uh huh. Well, that sounds like you need to be doing a book launch at that school.

Jasmine: [00:23:38] I'm working on it. I'm working on it.

Carrie: [00:23:42] Yeah. And so at the time of this recording right now, um, for our listeners, I mean, your book is just gone out, like, you've kind of released it, like people are receiving it. What kind of feedback? What kind of feedback have you received so far?

Jasmine: [00:24:00] Um, people have mentioned how much they loved the illustrations. The illustrations are phenomenal and they love the message behind the story. Um, uh, they also just love just the characters and the how, the ending, the how it ties it in at the end. I can't give it away, but they just love the ending. Um, and lastly, they love the, um, five ways to be More Inclusive. Um, so yeah, great. Great feedback so far.

Carrie: [00:24:39] Yeah. As an educational audiologist, I just got this book this week, but I can see how this would be an extraordinary teaching tool, um, to do with, you know, to read with students and just reread and, and go back and really dig deeper and ask questions with them, like, how has this ever happened to you? Or can you relate to Jordan anyway? So this has so much application for, um, teaching and empowering students with any kind of differences, but specifically our deaf and hard of hearing children.

Jasmine: [00:25:18] Absolutely. I, I really want to write this book to target kids with hearing loss. However, I also wanted to target just kids in general, so that way they can learn about hearing aids and cochlear implants because, you know, some kids don't. They don't know what it is. So I just want them to understand that not everybody is going to look like them. So it's it's yeah.

Carrie: [00:25:47] Yeah. And so you you touched on it, but you talked about five ways to teach about inclusivity. How did that come up as far as like a great way to kind of finish off your book?

Jasmine: [00:26:03] Yeah. So originally I wanted to end off with, you know, affirmations. You know, I just wanted to figure out ways to help empower children. And but I feel like it was very popular. Everybody was doing affirmations. So I wanted to do something a little bit different and leave it off as a teachable moment for not only the kids, the adults to like, oh, how to be more inclusive. Um, so that's just the idea I came up with. I was like, oh, why not figure out a way to teach them how to be more inclusive? And that's how I came up with it.

Carrie: [00:26:45] I love it because it really does kind of, um, make you think a little bit deeper about the book, I think, too, and then apply it.

Jasmine: [00:26:58] Yeah, I definitely wanted to, um, you know, just adults to teach kids. Okay? Like, if you have to be kind, um, you know, just actions, like at your actions matter. Like, you know, showing that adults, kids are watching. So if you implement it, they are going likely model what you're doing. And, you know, reading my book helps, you know, teach kids to be more inclusive. So I just I just thought that was a very important message.

Carrie: [00:27:33] Yeah. And that is a great way to, um, like, kind of wrap up everything in the book with a nice bow at the end. Right. Uh, is there anything that I forgot to ask you that you were hoping I would ask about? Whether it was you personally, or the book or your process.

Jasmine: [00:28:02] Um, you can if you always. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to me. Um, you know, I'm an open book. I always like to share about my experiences as a deafblind individual. Um, and you can always reach out to me on my Instagram at Dr Jasmine Simmons. Uh, it' DR and then my full name or also Dr Jasmine Simmons. Com on my website. And I'm always available to us answer some questions.

Carrie: [00:28:37] And what I can do is I can definitely, um, put that information in the show notes so that people can click on it and go directly to your social media and your website and, um, order your book as well and get that shipped directly to them.

Jasmine: [00:28:57] Absolutely. And I really, truly hope you guys enjoy this story. And this was my baby is is my baby. And I just hope you guys enjoy as much as I did.

Carrie: [00:29:11] Yeah, well I know just reading this book, um, and getting it. I cannot wait to share this book with the students that I get to serve, um, throughout my work. And I'm already thinking about the ones that I really want to share it with. So I'm going to be ordering some more copies, um, in the very near future. And, um, with that, I also want to just say thank you, Jasmine, for everything that you do and everything that you are. I'm just so grateful to know you, um, for such a long time. And you just hold a special place in my heart. So thank you for being part of the EmpowEAR Audiology podcast.

Jasmine: [00:29:55] And I just want to say thank you as well. And you've been instrumental. So thank you for having me. And it's it's an honor.

Carrie: [00:30:06] All right so listeners, make sure that you hop on to Dr Jasmine Simmon's website, her social media, and be sure to reserve your book of extraordinary Jordan and her bionic ears. And if you love this podcast, please be sure to share with anyone who would also enjoy listening. Thank you.

Announcer: [00:30:33] Thank you for listening. This has been a production of the 3C Digital Media Network.