Sep
3
Written by:
tylerm
9/3/2010 7:17 AM
My name is Candace Pate. I’ve lived in Jacksonville for the majority of my life. I became deaf at the age of 6 months had a lot of speech therapy for many years. I’ve worn hearing aids since I was 2 years old and got cochlear implants in 2003. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for my mother who insisted I learn to speak and hear the sounds.
In 2009, I came to the ILRC of Northeast Florida as the Brooks TLC and FTRI equipment specialist. BROOKS TLC (Temporary Loan Closet) loans medical equipment on a temporary loan basis to individuals with a disability. FTRI (Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.) loans amplified phones and ringers on a long term basis at no charge to permanent Florida residents who are Hard of Hearing, Deaf, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Impaired.
Prior to 2009, I was a homemaker for 19 years raising two boys. Both my boys have graduated from high school. I decided to reenter the workforce. I’ve volunteered at the ILRC for a few months before hiring as equipment specialist for TLC and FTRI.
I look forward to meeting and working with new people while working for the ILRC. I hope I can be successful in helping persons with disabilities.
You can reach Candace by email at
CandaceP@cilj.com