Xiong, A

Deafened at age 6 from an ear infection. Mainstreamed at first, she eventually transferred to and graduated the California School for the Deaf, Fremont. At first planning to become a dental hygienist, she switched schools and earned a Registered Nurse (RN) degree from San Jose State University, completing it in 2006. Went to work at Mercy Medical Center, Merced, California, in the maternity unit.