My name is Michai Lombardi, and I attended LDOS (Louisville Deaf Oral School) from 1995-1997. I was born deaf and raised by a single mother as the oldest of five children. I learned sign language and how to speak while a student at LDOS. I remember great times going on field trips, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and graduation day! I moved to Florida when I was seven years old, and I stayed in touch with my childhood friends in Louisville by visiting every summer. In Florida, I lost my parents at ages 10 and 12. That is the most complex challenge I have experienced. However, I have learned to set goals, have role models, and look up to other influential people who have taught me life lessons. When I turned 14, I returned to Kentucky and attended Fairdale High School. I worked hard to pass all the classes and received a cochlear implant at 14. I have learned so many sounds with the processor; I love it! I also participated in the Governor’s Scholar Program at Centre College in 2010. I learned more about myself overcoming many obstacles, and I never allowed my deafness to stop me from keeping on going.
After graduating from Fairdale High School, I attended Gallaudet University that has a student body that is entirely Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Most students and teachers know American Sign Language. I fell in love with the Deaf culture and found my identity as a Black Deaf Woman. I learned how to accept myself during college, and my Deaf friends with big dreams motivated me to accomplish many things. I graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. I worked various jobs and then decided to move back home to Louisville. In 2022, I decided to go to the University of Louisville to pursue a Master of Science in Social Work! I was assigned to Heuser Hearing Institute and interned in the Behavioral Mental Health department. My supervisor is Barbara Martin, who is fluent in sign language, which benefited me through school. Here I have learned so much about being a social worker for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
What I have learned with my internship this semester directly applies to my courses. I was so confused at the beginning, struggling in classes and fell behind most of the students. My supervisor, Barbara, helped me understand how to be a social worker. She gave me so much information to learn how to apply it to research papers, logic models, and different types of assessments. I was working full-time at Amazon, and it was so hard for me to balance school and work. However, my determination got me through every day, and I completed every assignment even when I was stretched for time. The professors were patient with me and helped me understand how to become a mental health therapist. I have enjoyed observing sessions with the clients and learning how to chart notes. I am very motivated and enjoyed learning in this internship. I am doing my best and am very passionate about being a social worker. I am the first person in my family to graduate with a B.A. and M.S.S.W, and I am proud of myself persevering in honor of my late parents. I graduated with a M.S.S.W at U of L on May 13, 2023, with a 3.6 GPA. I want to thank the Judith Beth Hayden Foundation for the scholarship that helped me finish school at the Kent School of Social Work.
I am now certified in Targeted Case Management and work as a social work specialist at Heuser Hearing Institute in the Integrative Counseling & Wellness Clinic. In addition, I am taking the CSW test this fall to become a Mental Health Therapist.