THIS TUESDAY- MY GUEST ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT and THE BUSINESS OF IT ALL! Debbi Dachinger, Author of DARE to Dream
Listen here TUESDAY, January 31st at 11 am EST
Jan27
Jan17
Sign Language is FUN!
I remember my first intro to sign language course. It wasn’t even called American Sign Language (ASL) but SIGNED LANGUAGE in ENGLISH. WOW.. that set’s me back a few years. Now ASL is recognized as a foreign language in many colleges and schools, therefore, allowing students to learn credit for their efforts and promoting signing in our communities.
SIGNING FAMILIES, my instructional company focuses on melding developmental psychology with sign language instruction. We are deeply rooted in the bilingual-bicultural worlds and have an affinity to work with children and families within the special needs communities. Most of our connections are in fact within special education.
There are many great companies that are producing some sensational ASL learning tools to help those who are motivated to learn the basics of sign language. I happily will promote and offer reviews and links to those who I feel are really connected to ASL and not just wanting to “teach sign” in order to line their pockets with your cash.
So without much further ado.. here are a few that really “get” ASL -
VISUALIZE ASL is the brainchild of Cathi Bouton. I love that she has her heart and soul in the deaf world as well as the hearing. Cathi told me that she wanted to give her students some interactive way to practice after classroom instruction. Through research, trial and error and much sweat, Cathi created the VISUALIZE ASL Interactive Activities for learners of American Sign Language. I previewed the Basic Vocabulary and Fingerspelling CD along with the Match Games. Both were very good for novice learners and quite enjoyable. Both were soundly developed according to sign language linguistic principles -which I truly appreciated. I would offer this as a good supplement for college students, home educated students and those who wish to take on ASL instruction at the comfort of their home computer. This can be purchased on their website or via AMAZON and HARRIS COMMUNICATIONS. Check out Visualize ASL on YouTube too!
EVERYDAY ASL is another wonderful sign language instructional company. I love how the duo of Gilda Toby Ganezer & Avery Posner developed a series of videos to demonstrate ASL IDIOMS. Also, they have APPS and YouTube Videos available. The apps are my favorite as you can learn to sign “on the go”.
And, I would be really remiss if I didn’t invite you to check out the many fun, interactive and inexpensive ways to learn ASL via my company SIGNING FAMILIES. We have ONLINE VIDEOS for beginners, homeschool learners and even those who use sign language adaptively.
We also offer a series of DVDs, communication charts, folders and bookmarks. ALL of our products are made with input from educators, students and people within the special needs communities. (Our I WANT, I FEEL CHART was made by request from families within the Autism Community)
Happy Signing!
Jan7
January is Check the Neck Month
Happy January everyone! This week is the anniversary of when my thyroid and I “divorced”. We parted ways in a surgical room at Johns Hopkins. Although it was a bitter divorce I am glad that I walked away from my experience healthier, wiser and more appreciative of the family and friends who helped play the role of CANCER WARRIOR GODDESS SUPPORTERS. In my ongoing efforts to stop Thyroid Cancer from being a beast in another’s life, I am reminding all of you to check your dang neck!
If you have a persistent cough, are hoarse, have small lumps or unexplained weight loss or gain- it is time to go to the doctor and be an advocate for your personal health! Ask for an ultrasound, bloodwork, etc. The facts are that cancers of the thyroid, especially among women, are on the rise. Don’t let a physician tell you that it is because of menopause, allergies, etc. I heard ALL of that and guess what.. it was CANCER! My cancer was found on a procedure for a dental problem!
Here is some information that I also had posted on the 411 VOICES website. And, for those who missed the PSA I made for the I AM THE FACE OF THRYOID DISEASE campaign last year, I am reposting the video.
Lastly, I don’t ask for a lot of readers.. but this time I will request one itty bitty favor. CHECK YOUR NECK and remind someone you love to do the same! Thanks….
To learn about Thyroid Cancer symptoms, treatment and support see the info sites below.
Dear Thyroid (website) Dear Thyroid LOVEHATEYOU (Facebook)
THYCA.org (for information about “all things” thyroid)
Jan4
Sometimes a picture can say it so much better!
I wish I knew who to give credit to for these photos or posters in my slideshow. They came to me via various sources through emails and Facebook. In my opinion, all are worth sharing because they are just too wonderful to read or view. Enjoy your new year and may it be full of beauty and wisdom, as well.
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Dec30
Per request, Another ASL Vocabulary Lesson for the New Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I have had multiple requests for new vocabulary to be uploaded on to my SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK page. However, it is cumbersome and you can’t offer a groovy slideshow. So, without further ado, enjoy your ASL VOCABULARY lesson to start the NEW YEAR! For more information about learning ASL online, CLICK HERE.
Other ways to connect: SIGNING FAMILIES * Twitter * YouTube Channel
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Dec26
2011 – Learn, Create, Support, Educate and Breathe
This has been quite a year! So, as usual I will defer to photos instead of words to capture the year – end synopsis. From many traveling opportunities such as to Mac World with The PaperShow, EMS trainings, Parent- Child workshops, to creating educational videos for abcteach.com, products for SIGNING FAMILIES (hence all the kids in photos), and including tons of time working in media and social media and with Education.com, expanding my professional horizons with the co- creation of 411 VOICES and my joining The Linicomn Agency – LA Division for Exceptional Talent, to time time with family and friends and battling the beast (cancer) only to turn those lemons in to a Twitter-esque lemonade, and much more!… WHEW..
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Dec21
Kids with Special Needs AND Exceptional Talent… Apply Here
It is with great pleasure that I announce my new venture! I have been asked to join The Linicomn Agency to help open their second office in Los Angeles. This company first piqued my attention when it was apparent that they didn’t want to open a traditional talent agency, but a boutique service that would be for individuals with learning or physical challenges. WOW.. this I can do!
My role will be as a lisasion between talent and casting directors. Also, I will be an educational consultant helping children and young adults who have learning challenges such as Down Syndrome, Aspergers, or Learning Disabilities, receive an opportunity to be “submitted and pitched” like their peers. Actors between the ages of 3-25 years of age who are deaf, blind or have mobility difficulties and use a wheelchair will be able to submit for consideration for representation to The Linicomn Agency, as well. As a fluent signer, I can easily communicate with people who use sign language as their primary or secondary modes of communication
Actors can read more about The Linicomn Agency on the website: http://www.TheLinicomnAgency.com
The LA office is slated to open this Winter 2012. Casting directors and organizations wishing to learn more, please connect via this post
For more information, please feel free to comment here and I’ll email you personally. ( I have learned not to leave an email in a post or you will be super-spammed)
Dec19
The SIGNS of the HOLIDAY SEASON….
Madelyn and Jake, two of our SIGNING FAMILIES KIDS
This year I made a new holiday sign language video with the help of some really awesome kids! Feel free to check out Madelyn, Jake, Samantha and many more in our Just for Kids Holiday Signs Video. (See below or click on the link to go directly to YouTube)
Almost daily I post sign language instructional resources and information to help those in the special needs communities on my SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK page.
Want to make a New Years Resolution to Learn SIGN LANGUAGE? Check out our new online courses on the SIGNING FAMILIES website and tons of links to help you on your way!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Dec15
Oh The Places You Will Go…..
This year has been one of grand high points and some that were a bit… not high. Despite some of the events of the year that I would like to put way behind me, such as kicking cancer out the back door, I was so fortunate to put on a bunch of air miles for work (which really is loads of fun!) I was invited to be a guest speaker at several conferences, workshops and expos this year. I had a wonderful time at MACWORLD 2011, EMS conferences in many states and much more. I truly enjoyed meeting and greeting thousands at conferences where I was asked to speak about helping children with special needs during disasters or medical emergencies. It was an unbelievable privilege for me to work in tandem with many in the EMS community this year. I wish I could name each person individually who took time out of their day to learn sign language in order to effectively communicate with a child or adult who is deaf or uses sign. I snapped a zillion photos this year. These are from visits to California, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Wyoming and Colorado. And, a few are from my own “backyard” here in the metro DC area. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
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Dec9
My Year of Learning How to Kick Cancer to the Door
It has been a year since I heard the words that no one wants to have burned in to their brain- Sorry, but you have metastatic cancer. Yep, that was me. A little more than a year ago. It was a sunny day. I was going for what was suppose to be a “no brainer” ultrasound of a few “probably nothing” nodes in my neck. I walked in an optomist thinking of nothing more than how I would spend the rest of the day after the procedure shopping. I walked out of Johns Hopkins outpatient center a statistic – someone with cancer. WOW! In fact, according to some recent stats, I was one of 357,000 women living with Thyroid cancer. Oh Goody!
Because people sometimes read what I write or ask me to speak in media, I get to talk about my Life with Cancer – a lot. As an educator, I don’t mind. It gives me an opportunity to set the record straight and educate others about being proactive with personal health issues. I learned from the best on how to be an example of someone who lives with cancer BUT is not defined by cancer, from my friend and colleague, Maimah Karmo. I learned to blog about my pre-op, post-op and treatment phases. I helped others learn too by talking to groups, being interviewed and blogging for others on websites such as, DEAR THYROID. I even filmed a PSA for IamtheFACEofTHYROIDDISEASE.org.
I learned that you can’t be a member of this “club” alone. That people will come and rally around you. Friends and family will support you in ways that are just too numerous to count. I was really lucky to have a bunch of Cancer Warriors join my team. They all should know who they are and consider this a group hug and THANK YOU! And, a huge thanks to all the Top Docs at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Overall, I was damn lucky this year to have so many in my corner.
I realized pretty quickly that if I had to go through this crap that I should do it with grace, humor and a purpose. So, I decided to run a TWITTER SCARF campaign. I stole the idea from my friend, Shara Lawrence-Weiss. (Pictured wearing her TWITTER avatar hat.Read the TWITTER story here). In essence, I changed my TWITTER avatar to be a free advertisement for a company or foundation. I simply would wear a different scarf and photo shop their logo. The company would then in turn donate monies to the charity of their choice. I had a lot of response and together we all donate almost a thousand dollars. Purpose.. yep- cancer can give you purpose when you are not caught up in the anger.
Now it was not all fun and games. Cancer never is. The treatment for thyroid cancer is not as bad as other cancers. I didn’t have to have chemotherapy, but I did need to have Radioactive Iodine treatments – which are no joy. The worst part of the process, however is the waiting. Did the treatment work? Do I need another? Is anything else growing and if so, where?
I also learned some really important life lessons. Cancer is expensive and insurance companies can’t make those co-pays magically disappear. I learned that not all people want to stick by you and remain friends because cancer may be “contagious”. Real friends stick around and those who are just in it for only the “good” but not the “bad or the ugly” will run for the hills. I heard from others who also are in the cancer world that it is not uncommon for relationships to unravel. That is a shame, but a reality. As I mentioned, I’m grateful for those who stuck around (including my amazing hubby) and deleted the rest. Cancer can be an emotional brain sucker. No need to spend any synapses worrying about those who were afraid that they may “catch’ the BIG C.
I will no doubt have more journey in the coming years. Cancer doesn’t like to just go away easily. There is always follow-up scans, blood work and more. Even if you are in remission you still have “more to do”. But, I intend to kick cancer to the door in 2012. Not the front door, but the back door. Cancer doesn’t have the right to go out nicely.
Lastly, Happy Holidays and please feel free to share your pearls of wisdom if you too have been on a cancer journey this year or in the past. Let’s all learn from each other.
