Tag Archives: deafness

04.08.13
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BEST OF….


Happy Spring everyone!  I have been receiving a lot of requests for some of my previous blogs to be “re-blogged” on different sites.  I thought that I would take an opportunity to THANK all of the people who have stopped by to read my musings, share with others and leave positive and constructive comments. 

In case you are curious.. here are the “the ten most requested blogs/ topics” from the past three years when I started routinely blogging.  They are not listed in any certain order AFTER Map Skills which by far won the “race”.  Also, this list is fluid.. in a few weeks it all can change

#1- MAP SKILLS   I guess my frustration over people not having “common sense” and the use of a google image (gave credit) helped bring this one to the top of the list.

#2 Wisdom from Christopher Robin  for Parents of College Freshman    This blog has been requested time and time again.  It is not my favorite personal blog but  reflects the power of SEO (Site Engine Optimization) as  Winnie the Pooh still has a strong fan base and people searching “Christopher Robin” stumble upon my blog!  I’ll take it!

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#3  Are YOU on a trip to Holland?  Of all the blogs I have ever posted this is by far the most personal one regarding my son and his premature birth.  My most requested blog which resonates with parents who also have unexpected challenges with the birth of their child.

#4 Hello, now GO AWAY!   I decided that I couldn’t keep silent about my cancer of the thyroid.  I wanted to be in an empowered role and educate others.  I wrote a series of articles regarding my thyroid cancer, my experience with the surgery, post surgery and even hanging out with Top Doc and Junior Docs at Hopkins Hospital.  For the most part I tried to keep it “light”..  This was the first one and again, most requested. To read the related blogs click here: CANCER

#5 Resources for Families with Autistic Children - I am happy to offer this information on a frequent basis if it helps one child or family.  I often blog for other sites on the topic of special needs and Autism.

#6 Raising a Confident teen/tween model –  How to get started in the “biz” .. the good, bad and ugly.  There are several articles I have written about raising a child who is a professional actor/model/ filmmaker.

#7 BULLY by Patricia Polacco (and other information about Anti-Bullying)    Sadly the topic of bullying is often searched.. thus the number of visitors to this article.

#8 Articles on Disaster Preparedness   ( I  have written numerous blogs on this topic.  Especially concerning the welfare and safety of children and adults with special needs.)  Here is the general link to all DISASTER PREPAREDNESS articles on this blog

#9 Sign Language  Apparently when you write about deafness, deaf children and sign language you drum up a boatload of readers!  So here again is the general link to all the blogs referencing sign language and topics related to deafness. SIGN LANGUAGE

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#10  Guest bloggers..

This last spot is dedicated to guest bloggers.  Jennifer Heicklen’s wrote a very passionate blog about the risks First Responders take when people do not heed warnings about mandatory evacuations.  Her article on the heels of Hurricane Sandy struck a chord with many and resulted in her receiving national press.  (The article was first written as a letter to the editor for  a Philadelphia based publication)

Read Jennifer Martelle Heicklin’s article here

Zaneta Barton also wrote a blog about her experiences with raising deaf children.  This article resonated the feelings of many parents.  Read Zaneta’s blog 

Read these and other guest blogs (including by Kidlutions owner, Wendy Young  here  GUEST BLOGS)

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Again, thank you for reading my blog and please let me know if you have recommendations for topics, want to be a guest blogger and/or have a favorite article that was covered on this blog.

Have a groovy day!

~Louise

11.29.12
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The Cochlear Implant and Sign Language – One Mom’s Viewpoint


Louise’s note:  I have long been an advocate for all deaf people to know sign language, even as a “back up” when they are the recipient of the cochlear implant. Christy Garrett is a mom and a follower of the SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK page. She asked if she could post this blog as a guest.  I gladly obliged.

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Sign Language is a Useful Tool for Cochlear Implant Recipient’s

 by Guest Blogger, Christy Garrett

As a young mom, it was very overwhelming to discover that my daughter was born with a severe to profound hearing loss.  She seemed so perfect.  However, when she was a month old it seemed like she was responding to typical household noises but after multiple hearing tests the doctors confirmed that she was deaf.  This news crushed my heart and I began to blame myself for her imperfection.  Then I realized that she was born deaf for a reason.

She began learning American Sign Language around 9 or 10 months old.   A speech therapist would come to our house from the Early Intervention Services, a program that is designed to help families who have children with special needs.  They provide services free of charge and help find care that they can’t provide for children ages birth to three years old.  Also, the Early Intervention Team can refer to the local school district your child  who may continue to receive services within a school environment.

Early intervention specialists began teaching my daughter sign language using play therapy.    She was able to learn basic sign language for common words such as apple, shoe, mom, dad, and more.  I remember the first time that she finally signed back to us, that day was a huge milestone as she was finally able to starting to learn how to communicate!

At the age of 3, I decided that she should have the opportunity to receive a cochlear implant so, that she could communicate orally with her baby brother that was on the way.  When she received her cochlear implant, the speech therapist and doctors recommended that we drop the sign language all together.  They felt that if she relied on sign language that she wouldn’t take interest in learning how to hear and learn to talk.  However, the opposite happened.

Sign language has been a great tool and has benefited her more than I think the doctors and speech therapist realized.  She is now considered bilingual and is fluent in two languages.

However, her knowing sign language has been useful on more than one occasion when something on her cochlear implant has failed or she is having a hard time understanding.
I can count on my hands how many times over the years that her implant was damaged or broken and had to be returned.  Sometimes it would take a week or more to get it back, without her cochlear implant she was deaf.  Sign language allowed her to continue learning without skipping a beat.

Technology is great but it isn’t perfect.  She was born deaf and having a cochlear implant has allowed her to join the hearing world; however, it doesn’t change the fact that without the device she is still deaf.  So in certain situations her implant has no use:

  • showering/bathing
  • swimming
  • some sports
  • loud background noise
  • her batteries die and she doesn’t have spare ones with her
  • cochlear implant isn’t functioning properly

I asked my daughter what she would recommend for a parent who is contemplating on teaching their child sign language and they have a cochlear implant.  She is 16 years old now and didn’t have a say in the decision that I made when she was younger.  However, now she is able to share her opinion and is able to help others.

“She said, that knowing sign language has allowed her to learn more vocabulary words and improve her word knowledge.”

Christy Garret, is a wife to her loving husband of 4 years and a mother to three beautiful children – Ages 15, 12, and 18 months old. I am the owner and founder of Uplifting Famiiles. In my spare time, I enjoy blogging, spending time with my family, going to church, and playing games. I can be found on twitter at @upliftingfam

03.12.12
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Why I LOVE the ABC Family show – SWITCHED AT BIRTH!


FINALLY there is a new show on television which incorporates a deaf and hearing cast of teens and adults who perform a script that spotlights the wonderful deaf culture and American Sign Language.  Many love the show. And, some are harsh critics. I love the show on so many levels as this seminole drama helps to increase awareness about deafness, ASL and so much more! Plus, it is just a fun weekly series to view! (What will become of Emmitt and Bay?)

I love that SWITCHED AT BIRTH is imperfect.  The hearing cast members sign awkwardly as a novice signer often does.  Many use their signs too literally and not conceptually – which is another rookie mistake that shows the authenticity of these newbie signers.  In addition, the cultural lessons are exemplified throughout the various story arcs. This past week, Daphne (played by Katie LeClerc) joined her team at a championship game. Deaf families came from all over the country to see the basketball team play in solidarity and support of  the deaf school that Daphne attends. Not THEIR local school but another region’s school. This is a very typical scenario within the deaf community and one that I am glad the director and writers highlighted.  (For those who are interested in learning more about deaf culture and the importance that deaf schools has made on the deaf community please watch the brilliant THROUGH DEAF EYES available on PBS).

As I embark on going to Los Angeles as the newest member of  THE LINICOMN AGENY, I only hope that our Exceptional Talent division will have an opportunity to shine a spotlight on many talented youth and adults who happen to have sensory or learning differences.   If you are interested in learning more on how you can audition to become a member of THE LINICOMN AGENCY , please leave a comment here and I will connect back with you.

If you are interested in learning more about sign language go here–> SIGNING FAMILIES

THANKS!

11.15.11
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Hearing vs. Deaf, A guest blog by Zaneta Barton


 

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Hearing vs. Deafness, this is a subject most don’t think about until they have to.  I also was guilty of not knowing the difference.  That all changed six years ago when my son, Zy’Kheus, was a year and a half old and was not speaking any words. (Even something simple like “ma ma”. ) Zy-Kheus consistently had double ear infections and the pediatrician would only give him medicine which didn’t seem to improve his condition.  After seeking out an ENT on my own, I was told what his problem was.  Since his ears were filled with fluid, his hearing was like going under water to listen to someone.  The problem was discovered.  My son is considered now deaf and has a device to help him hear. We started him in speech therapy.
 Zy’Kheus ended up with a great speech therapist.  This is were I discovered my interest for sign language. My son picked up sign very quickly and signed quite well (he still does).  After learning a few signs myself, I decided to learn more and signed up for classes in 2008.  Being around Deaf people opened up a whole new world and for me a new way of thinking.  Since joining sign classes and being around Deaf people,  I now understand and know so much more about my son’s situation.  I am overjoyed to be a part of this community.
Now I have another dilemma.  My daughter, Za’Ryah who is 18 months and is not speaking many words.  She is due to have her speech and hearing tested later this month.  My issue is with the  comments  people are making.  I have been teaching her to sign since birth. Now I keep hearing from some people that sign language is getting in the way of her speech.  I know this is incorrect, but those in the hearing world sees it differently. I will not stop teaching my daughter a language she can use to communicate.  How can I ease some of the pressures of  others with their comments of non-understanding that ASL is a language?
I look forward to all of you sharing.
Note from Louise:  It is a pleasure when people who are friends to SIGNING FAMILIES ask to contribute a post so that others can learn different points of view or about resources. Zaneta’s blog is written from her heart and I thank her for this post.
~Louise