Gaining Confidence

by Tambria L. Stoneberger, RPR, CRR

It is a privilege to write you in encouragement of NCRA for its support of those who cannot hear. During my transition into the field of CART, I have faced difficulties and triumphs along the way. The difficulties for me, clearly, have involved the additional training necessary to understand and communicate accurately some very complex information. I feel that we not only need to educate our upcoming court reporters in this area, but we must encourage them to persevere when the work becomes difficult and to maintain the standard of quality that our profession has been known for.

Almost two years ago I began providing CART for Chandra Werner, a veterinary student at Colorado State University. At that time, she was an individual who lacked confidence because her struggles in the college environment were interpreted as inability on her part. Her only inability, however, was a lack of auditory function. In retrospect, it is clear to me that Chandra's determination and desire to become a doctor were what carried her through mounting and difficult odds before I was given the unique challenge of becoming her ears and of conveying the information she needed to learn. To see her now, a successful and willing participant in the learning process, is a fulfillment in my career that I had never expected and cannot begin to place a value on. This spring Chandra will become a doctor of veterinary medicine; to think that she almost had given up on this worthy goal still astounds me. We in the hearing world have no idea how difficult life is without the ability to hear, and there are many who share the same obstacles Chandra has faced.

Please continue in your support of others like Chandra, so they too may achieve their dreams. I will do whatever I can to support the future of CART as well.