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In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I sit down with Kellina Powell, an inspiring advocate, mental health coach, and Deaf Queen Boss. Kellina shares her journey of losing her hearing at a young age and how she has overcome the challenges of navigating a predominantly hearing world. Through her work, she empowers people living with disabilities and advocates for a more inclusive society. 

 

Losing Hearing at Four Years Old 

 

Kellina’s hearing loss occurred unexpectedly when she was four years old, following an ear infection and a medical complication. She recalls the confusion that both she and her family felt as they adjusted to this sudden change. Despite being so young, Kellina was thrust into a new reality where she could no longer hear her mother calling her name, leaving her family to figure out how to support her best. 

Her family quickly took steps to help her adapt, enrolling her in both a deaf school and a hearing school. This allowed her to learn how to communicate in both worlds, helping her gain confidence in navigating different environments. 

 

Challenges Deaf Individuals Face in Daily Life 

 

Living as a deaf person in a world designed for hearing individuals presents daily challenges for Kellina. She discusses how noisy environments and public spaces often make communication difficult, even with the use of lip reading. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these challenges were exacerbated, as mask mandates prevented her from reading lips, her primary method of communication. This period left Kellina feeling isolated and dependent on others for basic tasks, highlighting the broader issue of accessibility in society. 

Kellina stresses the importance of accommodating the needs of the deaf community, whether it’s through closed captions on Zoom or ensuring inclusive environments in public spaces. 

 

Kellina Powell Becomes the Deaf Queen Boss 

 

 

Kellina is widely recognised as the Deaf Queen Boss, a title that reflects her leadership and influence within the disability community. She built this platform as a way to advocate for the deaf community and offer mental health coaching to young adults with disabilities. Through her work, she has become a beacon of empowerment, helping others see the possibilities that exist, even within a world that can feel unaccommodating. 

Her coaching work focuses on positive psychology, emphasising strengths and future goals, rather than dwelling on trauma. Kellina’s passion for advocacy continues to grow as she educates others about the deaf experience and helps break down societal barriers. 

 

The Mental Health Impact of Deafness 

 

 

Kellina speaks candidly about the emotional and mental health toll of being deaf in a hearing world. One of the most difficult aspects of her experience has been the constant need for self-advocacy. From requesting accommodations in educational settings to explaining her needs in everyday interactions, advocating for herself has been both exhausting and necessary. 

In her role as a mental health coach, Kellina helps others navigate these same challenges, encouraging them to build confidence and assert their needs. She also highlights the lack of community support for deaf individuals, a gap she hopes to fill by creating more opportunities for connection and empowerment. 

 

Future Projects and Goals for Kellina Powell 

 

Looking ahead, Kellina is excited to launch her fourth book, which will focus on entrepreneurs with disabilities. In addition to her coaching work, she continues to expand her speaking engagements, inspiring audiences worldwide with her message of resilience and empowerment. 

Kellina’s commitment to advocacy and inclusion remains at the heart of everything she does, as she continues to push for greater representation and accessibility for the deaf community and beyond. 

 

Show Resources 

 

• Visit Kellina’s Website: kalinaempowerment.com 

• Follow Kellina on Instagram: @deafqueenboss 

• Purchase Kellina’s Book: Everyday I Am Just Deaf on Amazon 

 

 

Wellbeing Interrupted Episode 44 Transcript 

Hurdle2Hope®️ Stories: Meet Kellina Powell Deaf Queen Boss! 

 

[00:00:00] Teisha: Hey there, Teisha here, and welcome to Episode 44 of Wellbeing Interrupted. Today, I'm very excited about the guest coming on the show. It's another, um, Hurdle2Hope story, and today I'm interviewing Kalina Powell. Kalina is a dynamic Deaf Coach and Advocate. She's an international speaker, best selling author and passionate entrepreneur. 

[00:00:32] And she's really dedicated to helping young adults with disabilities achieve their dreams. Her mission extends beyond personal coaching. She's committed to educating the wider community about the deaf experience and fostering a more inclusive society. When I read that, I thought, Kalina is someone I really want to chat to. 

[00:00:54] I haven't had a lot to do with, um, people living with, um, deafness or who are hard of hearing. And I think it's another really important conversation to have. So I hope you enjoy this episode. And yeah, stay to the end and I'll definitely provide all the links that Kalina discusses throughout the episode. 

[00:01:21] And yeah, hopefully you get lots out of this episode. Welcome to Wellbeing Interrupted, the podcast dedicated to exploring the transformative power of a healing mindset. I'm Teisha Rose, your host. and the founder of Hurdle2Hope. If you're on a quest to not just survive but thrive after a life changing diagnosis, then you're definitely in the right place. 

[00:01:51] Living with MS and now stage 4 breast cancer has taught me a vital lesson. In the face of a life changing illness, our mindset is everything. Each week I'll share insights, tips and strategies to help you build a happier, healthier, More balanced life. So let's begin your journey from hurdle to hope starting right now. 

[00:02:21] So welcome Kalina. Very excited that you've come on as a guest on Wellbeing Interrupted.  

[00:02:29] Kellina: Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be here.  

[00:02:32] Teisha: You're welcome. And just really quickly, I guess, before, and we'll go dive deeper into your story, um, but just quickly so people can get to know who I'm speaking to. 

[00:02:45] I'm speaking not to someone in Australia, so just a little bit of background. of to where you are and why you're joining us here on Wellbeing Interrupted.  

[00:02:56] Kellina: Yeah, big shout out to everybody. My name is Kalina Powell. I am actually in Canada, Toronto, and I'm an international speaker, a mental health coach for young adults with disabilities, and I'm also an author as well. 

[00:03:11] And little do people know I am actually a hard of hearing what's going to make you guys very interesting and something new. for you guys to listen to. So, I think that's why I joined, because I want to spread a lot of awareness about the disability community, but specifically for the deaf community as well. 

[00:03:30] Teisha: Yep, that's great. Thanks, Kalina. And that's right, I, um, yeah, Kalina and I crossed paths, and I thought it's just such an interesting, Interesting, um, topic in terms of living in a hearing world when you're hearing impaired. Now, I don't want to say the wrong things. So you talk about deafness or, um, hard of hearing. 

[00:03:53] Is that right? Yeah.  

[00:03:54] Kellina: Yes. Hard of hearing. Yes.  

[00:03:57] Teisha: Okay, so I've got the lingo right. 

[00:04:02] So can I ask, to give us some background I guess, you lost your hearing, was it, is that correct, as a four year old? Yes, that's correct. Okay, and can you just talk us through sort of what happened at that time?  

[00:04:18] Kellina: Yeah, for sure. So, I actually had an infection, uh, that one day I went to the doctor. The doctor gave me an ear drop for it. 

[00:04:30] However, I was going to daycare at the time. My mom provided instruction to the daycare staff members. And that same day when I went home, that's when I actually became deaf. And I don't know what happened. A lot of people asked like, Okay, do you think they put too much in their ears? Or did they put it at the wrong time? 

[00:04:54] However, unfortunately, I don't remember because I was only Four years old . But I, all I do remember was when I was watching tv, um, my mom would call on me. I said, Kalina, I've been calling you. I've been calling you. You did not respond. And my mom, and then I jumped because I looked at my mom and I said, oh, like. 

[00:05:13] I can't hear you. My mom was furious. She was confused. She's like, what do you mean you can't hear me? You just heard me when we left your daycare. And that is when my life changed forever. I went to the family doctor the next day. My family doctor said, unfortunately, there's nothing we can do. Kalina is completely deaf. 

[00:05:31] Teisha: Wow. Wow. And that must have been, so do you remember that clearly? Like, is that a memory as a four year old that you clearly, yeah. And was it scary? Was that a scary moment?  

[00:05:44] Kellina: Um, of course, of course it was for my family because, They didn't know how to talk to me, right? The communication, a lot of people don't understand how important it is to have a good, clear communication with one individual. 

[00:05:57] And that's what scared my family the most because I looked at their face, their face was confused, they were scared. So it also got me very scared because I was like, wait, what's wrong with me? Right? And I don't know what's happening. Um, I wouldn't say I was scared, I was confused about what's happening. 

[00:06:14] Teisha: Yeah.  

[00:06:14] Kellina: But I was confused why I couldn't hear them. I was confused why would I put in a little booth to do a hearing test. Uh, because I went to the audiologist, um, office and they put me a little booth, corner booth, to do a hearing testing and then they put something in my ears. I didn't know what it was. 

[00:06:31] I was frustrated. I was confused what was happening.  

[00:06:34] Teisha: Yeah, no, I can imagine. And were you the only child or do you have siblings or?  

[00:06:41] Kellina: I was the only child at the time until I was eight years old. Okay. I do have a little sister now.  

[00:06:47] Teisha: Yeah.  

[00:06:47] Kellina: By the time I was the only child, yes.  

[00:06:50] Teisha: Yeah, no, I'm sure, um, your parents would have been really scared and confused as well. 

[00:06:56] And how did you then start adapting to that? Because Yeah, you, you thrusted into a brand new world, you know, so how did that, what did you do there?  

[00:07:08] Kellina: Um, so thankfully my family was very smart. They actually put me into a deaf school in the morning and then the afternoon they put me a hearing school in the afternoon. 

[00:07:18] So I was actually going to two school while growing up just to help me to Learned how to communicate with different people and just really taught me how, what can I do better within myself? Like, how do I navigate both communities, knowing that everybody in my family do not do sign language. A lot of people ask, did your parents know sign language? 

[00:07:40] And I said, no. I had to learn it when I was in the deaf school. And as well, my mom was a young mom and my grandmother was a nerd at the time. Um, so I had a lot of great support system with my family, Thankfully, I would not be here without them, to be honest with everyone, and, uh, my family would never give up on me. 

[00:08:01] They always treated me like, like a human being as well, not treating me different. I think that's what got me really far because I was able to express myself. explore two different communities while growing up, but also having a great support system.  

[00:08:15] Teisha: Yeah. And how was school? Like when you're going to, between the two, how did you cope in the afternoons? 

[00:08:24] Kellina: Um, I loved my deaf school so much. I did not like going to my hearing school at all. A lot of people were like, Oh, what happened? So unfortunately at the hearing school, I was not able to learn my sign language. There was no teacher that provided that for me, so unfortunately, I had to go to hearing school without the identity of who I am to the hearing school, and it was very hard for me to communicate because I was so used to Communicating through sign language and that's when I had to learn how to speak. 

[00:08:56] And so I had a lot of speech therapists since I was from grade four to grade eight.  

[00:09:02] Teisha: I had  

[00:09:02] Kellina: a speech therapist all the way until I was in high school. There's been a really long time with the speech therapist. However, the sad news is that I actually left the deaf school. When I was in grade three, it was because it was too far from the home. 

[00:09:19] And so I, unfortunately, I had to go to hearing school, which was like five minutes walking distance. So my family was like, well, this is convenient for us. Like, and they did have a conversation with me and said, no, Kalina, we have to make you go to the hearing school full time. No, and we understand, um, you are not comfortable. 

[00:09:35] Cause I was actually not comfortable going to the hearing school full time.  

[00:09:38] Teisha: Yeah. And  

[00:09:38] Kellina: just because there's no sign language, I was actually bullied a lot of time.  

[00:09:43] Teisha: Yes, my  

[00:09:44] Kellina: speech delay, and it was very hard to make friends, right? I didn't have anybody that looked like me, and I was always consistently advocating for myself to the teachers. 

[00:09:54] A lot of teachers didn't know how to accommodate me. I had to bring the tools that I learned from the deaf school to the hearing school to teach them what it's really like to be a hard of hearing person in the school. So it was very challenging in going to school.  

[00:10:10] Teisha: Yeah, it would have been because it is, you know, with anything. 

[00:10:15] you know, minor that makes you different. It's hard. Um, so I can imagine that would have been really difficult. And then you went on to, do you call it high school in Canada? Is it the same as what we do or secondary school? Um, you went on and yeah.  

[00:10:34] Kellina: Yeah, so I actually graduated from high school and I also graduated from university and college. 

[00:10:39] I study psychology. I have a psychology degree background and as well a mental health and diploma background as well. So I've been doing a lot of schooling, schooling, but it never make me stop going to school because I knew I wanted to make an impact in the disability community because there's not a lot of reputation in the professional field, especially in the healthcare. 

[00:11:04] Teisha: Yeah, absolutely. And yeah, that's really important. And it's interesting. Like, I did a psychology degree as well. And then after MS, I then went back and did social work. So it's interesting how we like using our experience and it just opens up our world, doesn't it, in connecting with others. So that's, that's amazing. 

[00:11:28] And how did you find university then? Were they, was that easier in terms of, were they more accommodating or, you know, adapting for you?  

[00:11:38] Kellina: Um, so. University wasn't too bad, uh, just because they were also a disability center for people who have a disability. So we were assigned with a disability counselor who helped us and guide us through university, especially your first year. 

[00:11:54] They actually walk you through the first year to help you to speak with your professor about your accommodation. So my disability counselor reached out to all my professors. The first week of school to make sure they are aware that I'm a hard of hearing person and I do need accommodation, so she made it super easy for me. 

[00:12:14] However, it was a little struggle in my first and second year of university because I think a lot of professors didn't know how to accommodate me, and there were certain things that they were uncomfortable with. For example, I used to have a notetaker that would come to the classroom, take notes for me, because it's very hard for me to hear the professors, especially knowing that the lectures looked like a movie theater. 

[00:12:38] So I can't, I can't keep up with a lot of conversation, especially knowing that the classroom is so big, I can't relip. A lot of you don't know, a lot of people who are tired of hearing actually read lips. So I'm actually relying on lip reading and reading closed caption. And it was hard for me to keep up with the conversation or even the lecture alone. 

[00:13:00] Teisha: Yeah, no, I can imagine because you do. It's a lot of information that gets sent through. So with lip reading, Is that something that, were you taught that at the deaf school or is that something you just learn yourself?  

[00:13:17] Kellina: I just learned it myself. A lot of people thought I learned it. I didn't know. It just come automatic. 

[00:13:23] I don't know how, I don't know why. It just happened.  

[00:13:27] Teisha: Yeah, that's amazing. So I'm sure, and in terms of, technology now. You said there's, so do you get captions? Like we're doing this via Zoom, so am I, I better make sure I pronounce the words correctly. Are they coming up on, underneath the screen or?  

[00:13:48] Kellina: Yes, it is. 

[00:13:49] Yes, the code captions are actually coming correctly on the screen for me.  

[00:13:54] Teisha: Yeah, that's amazing. And you also mentioned having, um, speech therapy because, you know, your speech is amazing. I can't imagine not being able to hear and then be at work out, you know, how then to speak in a way that is, you know, very understandable. 

[00:14:12] So, do you still have speech therapy or is that, was that when you were younger?  

[00:14:18] Kellina: It was only when I was younger.  

[00:14:20] Teisha: Okay. Yeah. And, um, As I've shared on the podcast before, I lost my voice for nearly a month, a month, a year, um, for, with a whole range of reasons. And I've been having every month speech therapy. 

[00:14:34] So it's an amazing thing. So I was just very interested that that's something you've done as well. So they're, they're very good, those speech therapists. So in a hearing world, because I've never really even, you know, referred to it as that until I was reading, you know, some of your website and what you're doing. 

[00:14:56] What's your greatest challenge in that?  

[00:15:00] Kellina: I would say the greatest challenge that I was able to do, uh, for myself and my company is being able to impact the younger generation, just because a lot of them looked up to me and they're like, wait, you're deaf. Oh my God, I just think. You have a book that we can actually read, uh, just because there's not a lot of children book or teenager books nowadays for people who are disabled. 

[00:15:27] Yeah. And so I did. That is my great accomplishment I ever achieved. Um, and aside from my challenge, I feel like the challenge I face her time is asking for accommodation. I feel like that's everybody. Right. And you know, sometimes people are afraid to ask me questions. They're like, kale. How do I accommodate you? 

[00:15:48] And some people are nervous to ask me, you know, and I'm like, Hey, by the way, just so you know, please make sure you upgrade your Zoom so that way I can see the closed caption. A lot of people do not have their Zoom updated. And so a lot of people didn't know that until I told them or until I get on the call with them. 

[00:16:05] And unfortunately, a call has been pushed back because they didn't know that they thought the closed caption was automatic. And so I think that would be my challenge. Yeah.  

[00:16:15] Teisha: Yeah, no, that's interesting. And I just thought, ah, I didn't, I didn't ask, but I've got the latest. I'm hoping it's okay. And what about just out and about, like going to shops or, yeah, catching up with someone in a noisy cafe, you know, what's the impact? 

[00:16:36] Kellina: Um, Time, time back of my mind, I'm a little nervous to tell people like, don't, uh, pick noisy places for me because you never know what the place looks like, right? Every place is different. Um, my friends and family are very mindful of the surrounding that they pick. They'll always ask me before they pick in a restaurant and they're like, Hey, are you okay going to this restaurant? 

[00:17:02] So it's okay in that end, but the only thing that would very challenge was during Covid. The reason why I said that is because we have to wear a mask and a lot of people didn't know that. Deaf community need lip to read and communicate and that was my biggest struggle when, when that happened. I was very escalated. 

[00:17:25] I was in my home. I didn't want to go outside because I was nervous, right? And I was like, oh my god, I can't tell someone to take off their mask to have a conversation with me. And then people be like, what's wrong with you? And again, people don't notice that I'm hard of hearing. And so it was very frustrating during COVID because I was very isolated and I, it sucked because I had to bring a family member with me everywhere I go during COVID because I couldn't communicate. 

[00:17:54] I couldn't hear. I'm like, I need someone to come with me. And, you know, it sucked because, You lose the independence sometimes, right? And that was something I just struggled a lot with getting my independence back, even though the whole mask is gone, not everybody can be normal, and so it was very hard. 

[00:18:14] Teisha: Yeah, didn't even think about that because I think for a lot of us, we had, I'm not sure even Canada, but we had the Um, daily update on the COVID cases and there was always someone doing sign language. So that was for us, you know, every day we'd see, you know, the same guy doing the sign language and it's like, wow, but not once did I think how isolating, but it would have been really hard. 

[00:18:42] Kellina: Yeah, hundred percent. Even on the news, like, in Canada, like I thought I noticed that sometimes they would take off the mask when they're on the move. Sometimes they keep it on. It's always masking for it.  

[00:18:52] Teisha: Ah, that's really hard. And in terms of when you do, because sometimes when you do have a disability, I know when I'm not walking great, people treat you different. 

[00:19:06] So do you find people treat you different when you're out in the community?  

[00:19:11] Kellina: Yes, 100%. 100%. I don't like anybody about that. I feel like some people, when they find out, That's when they start treating me different. I think that's when they find out. Then they're like, Oh my god, I didn't know. It's like, it's okay. 

[00:19:28] I'm just letting you know. That's it. I don't need you to treat me different just because I finally told you the truth. I would say, um, not all the time because now my confidence is getting up to the roof now, but before, yes, I was very scared to come out. Even too, like, when I used to do my hair, I would always keep my hair down. 

[00:19:52] before I go to the public. Because I didn't want people to ask me, what's in your ears? Or like, oh, are you wearing headphones? Or are you wearing the, I don't know. Like, for example, I went to the gas station. I had my hair up in a ponytail. And then the gas station guy was like, oh, like, you have this thing in your ears. 

[00:20:09] Like, what is that? And he thought it was an earplug. Then I said, no, it was a hearing aid. He's like, what is that? So it's just, I slowly start getting over it, um, when people treat me different after.  

[00:20:26] Teisha: Yeah, and I imagine you'd find that frustrating because you're, you know, super intelligent and there's just those assumptions made because you're different. 

[00:20:41] And I'll have, and I'll get some photos of Kalina up, um, and I'll share it on Instagram as well, because you've got this amazing braid of hair. Um, yeah, so it's interesting though, that as soon as someone sees it different, they do, they adjust. So I guess that's a good message for people listening, is like, yeah, you're, you know, hard of hearing, but doesn't mean you're, you know, you're not switched on and super intelligent and can understand what's going on. 

[00:21:13] Thank you. Um, so, um, Can you also, and we'll put a link on there. I quickly watched a YouTube, um, I think it was on YouTube, uh, um, video that you did, uh, a couple of years ago about, um, . Oh no. Yeah, yeah. So that was a couple of things. Like, there was a couple of things on there that, you know, people make, uh, misconceptions or assumptions they make. 

[00:21:39] So do you wanna share a couple of those because they're really cool and I'll put the link in the show notes. Okay,  

[00:21:44] Kellina: yeah, um, what YouTube video were you talking about? Um, you're saying,  

[00:21:49] Teisha: oh, there's one at the end you kept saying that people say, but you're, you're pretty. You're so pretty. Oh, yes, yes, yes.  

[00:21:56] Kellina: So, uh, that was weird, but Disruption I get all the time. 

[00:22:01] It's like, I'm like, oh my god, you're so pretty. Like, to me, it's like, people have this idea of what a disabled person should look like.  

[00:22:11] Teisha: Yeah.  

[00:22:11] Kellina: And sometimes it can be anything, right? And disabled person doesn't have to look a specific way. You just never know if someone is disabled or not, unless they tell you. 

[00:22:24] And that was something I was trying to address. When people say, Oh my god, you're so pretty. You're too pretty to be deaf. It's like, what is that supposed to mean? I don't know. God, he made me. I don't know. You know, and so it's very sad that a lot of people talk about that. And even number two, the biggest one I get is People think that people can't drive. 

[00:22:48] And yeah, so, and I did listen, like, Deaf people are good drivers. If you go to your research, you will find out that we are good drivers, okay? Because we use our eyes all the time. We're always looking. We're always being aware of our surroundings. It's very common, but a lot of people do not believe that I drive. 

[00:23:10] And I said, yeah, I do drive. I'm a human being. I'm like everybody else.  

[00:23:15] Teisha: Yeah, absolutely. And you can make adaptions as well, you know, and as you said, your other senses take over. So you're a better driver, I'm sure. And I guess too, um, what you mentioned and touched on before, is having an impact and advocating for younger people and having for them to have someone to look up to, which is so important. 

[00:23:42] So can you mention some of your business? Because it's so good. You call yourself, um, the Deaf Queen Boss. I love that. Um, so yeah, just talk to us a little bit about what you're doing.  

[00:23:56] Kellina: Yeah. Um, thank you. Yeah. I've known the Deaf Queen Boss. Everybody kept asking me, how did I come up with that name? I always wanted something, the DeafBoss, because I'm always on the go. 

[00:24:07] I'm always, I'm being challenging for myself, and I wanted something with that, and then I came up with DeafQueenBoss. Um, so my business now, I'm actually a mental health coach for young adults with disabilities, and also open doors for others who are not disabled. And so what I do is I focus on positive psychology. 

[00:24:27] I don't focus on negative psychology. I want to make sure that I'm supporting people for the end goal instead of the trauma. I know a lot of us don't feel comfortable talking about it with other people. Uh, number two, I'm also an international speaker, so I do speak all over the world about my journey. 

[00:24:46] Empowerment and Advocating. And number three, I'm also an author. I do have a fourth book coming out next year that I'm excited to launch. Yeah, so my very first book is actually my personal book. It's called Every Day I Am Just Deaf. It's on Amazon. It's a poetry book, and it's literally not too long. You guys can read it in more than one day, I promise you. 

[00:25:09] And, um, it's just inspiring because My very first book, I just talked about myself, what it's like to be deaf dearly basic. And my second and third book is really a collaboration book with all others who are disabled and others who are entrepreneurs as well. And my fourth book is coming up next year. 

[00:25:28] It's really about everybody who is disabled and who are entrepreneurs, which I'm really excited to launch that next year. And then now I'm actually starting a VA business for small business owners. For those who don't know what a VA is, it's a virtual assistant, um, business that we started with my personal assistant. 

[00:25:48] And that's my business.  

[00:25:50] Teisha: No, that's amazing. And yeah, I love that you're, went down the track of, you know, studying psychology and really being able to combine lived experience with professional expertise. So that's amazing. Um, yeah, I love it. And I love the fact, so your first book, what was the name of your first book? 

[00:26:12] Because I'm sure people will be really interested in that as I will.  

[00:26:17] Kellina: It's called Every Day I Am Dressed Up. It's on Amazon.  

[00:26:22] Teisha: Okay, perfect. I'll definitely get, get that because it's such an amazing insight, um, as to what, you know, for you to articulate what that feels like as well. And I noticed, um, on your website as well there, you talk a lot about mental health and I assume too that people living with who are, you know, sorry, I always get worried I say the wrong thing, but who are hard of hearing or, you know, are deaf, that it would be really have a massive impact on their mental health. 

[00:26:58] You mentioned that during COVID. So what are some of the things that people present with and find really difficult?  

[00:27:06] Kellina: I would say people find it difficult to be consistent in terms of advocating for themselves. I feel like that's the number one thing that people struggle with, because It impacts our mental health, especially when we are nervous to come out and say, Hey, I need help. 

[00:27:22] And that's something I noticed that, and number two, confidence. Do we have confidence to ask people for accommodation? And that was something that we struggled a lot. Um, especially myself, I struggle with that all the time. And I didn't feel comfortable until I was in high school to ask for that. And that was something I noticed that was a big gap and a lot of issues. 

[00:27:45] And number three, I noticed there's not enough community for us. And so there's not a lot. And I'm actually, I'm thinking about starting a community pretty soon after everything slowed down. Um, when I have more on my plate. But that is something I learned that we struggled a lot is not having that community. 

[00:28:02] community to be able to have that space to talk about are very challenging.  

[00:28:07] Teisha: Yeah, no, that's really important because, and do you find that energizing? Because sometimes community can do the other way, you know, sometimes when you're talking about, you know, negatives, Um, sometimes I've found MS communities could be really negative place and it's like, well, that's not for me. 

[00:28:28] So, but I'm assuming you're not going to do that because you just radiate positivity. So. 

[00:28:37] Kellina: Yes, I'm all about positivity. I don't have that energy for that. And I tell people I don't wish so much growing up, especially my mental health. And that's something I really look up to all the time with positivity.  

[00:28:50] Teisha: Yeah. Yeah. No, and it's really important. And, um, I talk about, you know, positivity, but you're already saying that there are some difficult moments, you know, COVID was really hard, but it's getting through that. 

[00:29:05] Kellina: Yes, it was very hard. Yes.  

[00:29:08] Teisha: Yeah, yeah. Um, and in terms of your Well, you just mentioned a fourth book. So are you in the process of writing that or how's that? So it's  

[00:29:19] Kellina: going great. Right now I am in the process of writing it. I don't have a title of it checked yet. Um, so we're just gathering all 33 authors. 

[00:29:29] So it's going to be 33 people and they write their own business and write about uh, their disability as well with the blogger door. So we don't have a title yet, but it's going to be launched next year.  

[00:29:40] Teisha: Oh, that's all right. It gives time for people to read your first book and then we'll be ready for the, the next one. 

[00:29:46] And how then, if you're talking about entrepreneurship, how have you found that? Like, do you find working in that way? A good fit for your, you know, um, disability, like how have you found being an entrepreneur?  

[00:30:05] Kellina: I would say it was very difficult in the beginning because, again, my mindset, I was nervous, uh, to even come on a podcast to talk about my disability. 

[00:30:15] I was like, there's no way I'm going to come on podcasts. He's so confident to talk about it and I was super scared because I didn't know what to expect and also too because I was bullied a lot of times and I didn't really think people would actually want to hear my message, want to hear my story and I was scared so that was the big challenge I had in the beginning of an entrepreneurship but over time when you start it. 

[00:30:39] Tending to networking events and looking for your niche community and trying to see how you can help them, uh, to make a change. So I would say the very first couple years were challenging, but now I'm happy to say it was a great decision that I made because I do, I did actually had a nice vibe as  

[00:30:57] Teisha: well. 

[00:30:58] Kellina: Um, so, yeah.  

[00:31:01] Teisha: No, that's great. And I think it's good because it is hard to find careers that you can focus on your health and wellbeing and then do something you're passionate about. So I think it's definitely worth doing, you know, um, so I'm very excited about your fourth Book. Very impressed as well. You see, who would have thought this? 

[00:31:23] And that's why I do these Hurdle2Hope stories, because look at all you're doing and achieving. And I think sometimes when we are living with a challenge, we push ourselves and we can do so much.  

[00:31:37] Kellina: Exactly. I literally didn't think I was going to be an author. I really didn't think I'd be doing this, to be honest, everyone. 

[00:31:44] And I just want to say if you are someone who thinks it's impossible, it is possible.  

[00:31:50] Teisha: Yeah, 100%. And is that lots of your message? So when someone younger Who, I'm not sure, like, are people sometimes lose their hearing like you did at four? Can that happen later on in life that someone younger will say, all of a sudden I'm into this world? 

[00:32:06] Or is it mainly people who have been born with a loss of hearing?  

[00:32:11] Kellina: Um, it actually, it depends on the person, right? It depends on the condition. It really depends. Everybody's different. I know someone that actually became deaf when he was 15 years old. I met someone who became deaf by, like, birth. But it really depends on people. 

[00:32:27] Teisha: Yeah. And I guess that brings unique challenges, um, to both. Um, and so anything else in terms of what you're looking forward to? Any, any amazing holidays or?  

[00:32:42] Kellina: I would just, my last message on the call is to let people know that it doesn't matter if you have a disability or not. And it doesn't matter how old you are. 

[00:32:54] I noticed that I meet a lot of older people older than me. It's like, oh my god, can you do so well? I think I can't. Do not allow the society to tell you what the reality is. You have your own time. Go on your own pace. Because if you rush, Nothing's gonna happen. Nothing's gonna look good in the end, right? 

[00:33:16] I took my time. I started my business three years ago, and I'm glad I took a lot of time my first year in my business so that I can understand how do I want to show my business. So, that's my last message on the call. I just wanted to let everybody know it doesn't matter where you are in life. Please take it slow. 

[00:33:34] Please remember you have your own time.  

[00:33:37] Teisha: Yeah, I love that. I love that. Um, and it's true because you have to absorb so much is happening and you have to absorb what's happening and make sense of it and then work out where you want to go. So, and in terms of cleaner people connecting with you, um, yeah, can you just share with us? 

[00:33:59] You've got, um, different social media. I think you're on. Instagram.  

[00:34:03] Kellina: Yeah. Yes. So I'm on Instagram. My Instagram is deaf Queen B, Facebook, Kaleena Powell, LinkedIn, Kaleena Powell. I think that's it. . And your website General. If you wanna find me, just go on Google and type in Kaleena Power and you're gonna see all my social media. 

[00:34:22] Yeah,  

[00:34:22] Teisha: yeah, because you've got a great website as well. Um, and your services and all are there in reference to your book as well. So, and your website, is that your name or is that, um, deaf, queen Box.  

[00:34:34] Kellina: And my website is kalina. empowerment. com.  

[00:34:37] Teisha: Okay. Okay. I'll put all the links there because I think it's so important and I love what you're doing. 

[00:34:43] And yeah, as, as soon as I saw what you're doing, I was like, Oh, that's a perfect person because I'm doing this to learn as well, you know, to learn what other people's experiences are and how we can all move forward. And yeah. And I think sometimes you mentioned, I think sometimes we're nervous as well, wondering what should we ask or what should we say. 

[00:35:07] And also I think advocacy is this collaboration with everyone, you know, it's just like, let's learn together and let's, um, yeah, have a very inclusive society. So I love what you're doing. Thank you so much for coming on the show. Um, I look forward to reading your book and I'll be, yeah, I'm sure we'll chat again because I don't want to introduce people to my listeners and then never hear from them again. 

[00:35:34] So I'm sure in 2025, we can hear when you've got that book out there, definitely come back on and we can chat about that.  

[00:35:42] Kellina: Yeah, definitely. Thank you so much for having me, Teisha. I hope you guys have a great day and I hope you guys enjoyed the listening.  

[00:35:48] Teisha: Excellent. Thanks, Kalina. Bye. 

[00:35:57] Well, thank you for listening. I really hope you got a lot out of my discussion with Kalina. Kalina is an amazing person. What she's doing is so important. for all of us to listen to what we can all do to make our world a lot more inclusive. As I mentioned to Kalina, I'd never even thought of it about the hearing world, but it must be so difficult, particularly if we're doing things that don't help, in terms of accessibility. 

[00:36:30] So I'll provide in the show notes all the links to Kalina's social media. Um, so, Yeah, her Instagram, I'll also be collaborating with this episode through her account as well. So always follow me, Hurdle2Hope, um, that's on my Instagram. And I'll also provide on the website, my website, Hurdle2Hope. com, this conversation and the blog associated with it. 

[00:37:03] And you can also see Kalina's work at Deaf Queen Boss. on Instagram. Okay, so hopefully you have a great week coming up. Um, yeah, preparing the, days are starting to warm up here, so interesting out on the block, um, but enjoying it still, so that's good. Hopefully the aircon in the caravan works and then I'll enjoy it a whole heap more. 

[00:37:30] Um, and yeah, I'm looking forward to another Busy week in preparation for the MindBodySpirit Festival. So getting excited about that. Little bit nervous, but mainly excited. Um, and really looking forward, I guess, to launching back into speaking. I did this Quite a bit, um, in relation to MS and way back when I was working at Telstra and presenting day in, day out in my role as a trainer. 

[00:38:01] So stepping back into that energy and really looking forward to sharing my story more. And I also should say, If you do yourself have a Hurdle2Hope story that you want to share, I've now got a process to go through. If you want to hop on to Hurdle2Hope. com forward slash stories and At the bottom of that page, there are, there's a form to fill out. 

[00:38:30] Please send the details and yeah, I look forward to sharing more stories because I think it's so important for us to find out what it's like to live with all different health conditions and disabilities and what we can all do to support others on their journeys and just to, to learn and grow ourselves. 

[00:38:53] So have a good week and we'll. Chat next week!