My name is Karista LeAnn Smith.  I am 11 years old.  I live with my family in Binghamton, New York (Snow Belt Country).  I am in the fourth grade at Binghamton Academy, which is a private school.

I am also deaf.  When I was a baby, I accidentally shoved a hairpin into my ear and ruptured my eardrum.  Ever since, I haven't been able to hear, so I communicate with sign language or by writing things down.  My fault, really; I should have known better, but hey: I was only a baby.

I have three sisters: two younger, one older.  Their names are Kalista Danae' (13), Koriander Michayla (9), and Kyaleigh Roseanna (4).  I'm the only one who is handicapped.  It makes me sad sometimes, but I think I do pretty well, all things considering.  I can do just about everything a normal kid can do, only thing is I can't talk well or hear.  And I can't sing; if I do "sing", I do it by doign sign language, like I do at my church on Sundays.

I like to play baseball and softball, in addition to soccer and doing gymastics.  I have always been athletic.  I like to model and would like to become an actor or a teacher for the deaf/hearing impaired when I grow up to be an adult.  I would like to be a writer or perhaps a nanny for children with special needs.  I have a lot of dreams.

I get along fairly well with Kori and Kalista, but Kya can be a pain.  She's the baby, so she's pretty well spoiled.  Mamma and Daddy both baby her 'cause she's the youngest; they are always getting her treats or things from when they go to the store or go on trips, and it drives Kori, Kalista, and me crazy!!

At school, my best friend is Dakota Wolf Child.  She is Native American Indian; she's of the Seneca tribe.  She is nearly full-blood Native American and she is one of 16 kids in her family.  She is fun to hang around with and I have known her ever since kindergarten.

My other best friend is Jillie (Jill) Kringle.  She gets teased because she is fat and because of her last name.  She doesn't have a lot of friends, which makes me sad.  Dakota is always threatening to beat up the other kids for being so mean to Jillie.  I would join her, but I'm a Christian and I'm supposed to do what God would want me to do.  (I'm Baptist.  I accepted Jesus Christ when I was six, five years ago.)

Well, I hope you liked reading about me.  I will write in here again soon; I am going to go to bed because I have school tomorrow.  Until then, this is Karista Smith saying so long and God bless!

~Love, your new friend in New York, Karista.  :)