Hill, Christy

Born with a mild hearing impairment that became worse over time; also blind in one eye since her early teens. Attended a hearing kindergarten, then the Francis Blend Elementary School for the blind and visually impaired in Los Angeles, then mainstreamed from 4th grade through high school. At age 10, met other deaf children at a summer camp and picked up sign language from them. Went to California State University, Northridge, for 1 1/2 years studying therapeutic recreation, but changed fields and school to veterinary science at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; expected to receive her B.A. in 1990.