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Thursday, January 24, 2008

Hearing Parents' Experience with Deaf Child

51 comments:

Amy said...

WOW...
This is a groundbreaking VLOG!

I am sooo humbled to watch your mom, (who is a hearing person) sharing her story in ASL!

For me, my heart breaks so much because my own mom didn't sign, and she passed away long time ago. Only if my own mom have an opportunity to see your video, and she'll feel motivated to learn.

This video needs to be shared everywhere!

Thank you so much for introducing your mom on your blog, and I pray that more and more parents will follow the example.

Warmest,
Amy Cohen Efron

mishkazena said...

Beautiful story. Can you have the whole vlog transcribed so the hearing parents can read both your experiences?

Anonymous said...

I love your story!!! good job! I hope to see more from you!

Anonymous said...

Inspiration Story.

I am so glad to see that your parents were capable to open their minds what was the best for you and the future.

As for me, Amy Cohen Efron and I are exactly the same boat.

Your parents set the example to teach other parents for what you went through some difficult decisions.

I definitely can see that your parents have done the fantastic job for raising you magnanimously. They have given you full of the three L's (Live, Laugh and Love).

White Ghost

David said...

I am very impressed with your mom. You are very lucky to have your mom who signs ASL very well.

Thanks for sharing her with us all. I am sure many parents need information and resources. Your mom is one of best resources for parents.

Thanks and keep vlogging!

Deafchip

Anonymous said...

cool!!! good story, welcome to vlogger's family... i am also a newbie as well... I am also the only deaf person in my hearing family... I am glad ur parents learned to sign, my family never learned to really sign, some family members knew basic sign and my mom knew some sign.

Anonymous said...

This brought tears to my eyes! Please add caption so other hearing parents can read what your mother is saying. Also- the whole reason why your mother became accepting of you in the first place- is because of that doctor who referred her to deaf institute. Doctors advice is very powerful!

GalaxyAngelz said...

Wow, Breath carried away!
You really happy about your parent have experience when you're Deaf Baby and through for you best interest placed you stay Deaf instead getting ci or else.. Your parent must be proud you everyday..

Way to go!

Anonymous said...

WOW! That's the most wonderful story I've heard! We all are proud of your parents as well as you are. They really do a great job with you by raising you on the right path and keep communicating by using ASL.
They did the right decision to allow you to decide whether you want CI or not.

You guys are the best!

Misha :D

Anonymous said...

Great! Your vlog is very education. I will recommend anyone to take a look on this video. =-)
- Tar

Anonymous said...

Wow!--- you are so lucky because you can talk to your mom in ASL during dinner time and family togetherness. You have an amazing Mom. God bless you for having ASL mom. Hope that there are more hearing parents like your mom.

LaRonda said...

What a great idea this was to invite your mom to tell her story and to see your gratitude towards her for respecting you as an individual to make those choices if you wanted later on in life. She saw that Deaf children and adults were doing just fine with using ASL. That's important to share. This vlog is good for balance so that parents can see all sides. A much appreciated post!

Kudos!

~ LaRonda

Anonymous said...

WOW, You should be a proud yourself, I do believe you have a great mother in the world. I can see your mother already understood what you really need a better life with deaf.

It's my first time I ever hear from your own mother to think twice and care you alot.

Way to go!!

Anonymous said...

your mom & dad ROCKS i love them for that ... i got the goosebumps when i was watchin your this vlog it made me smile from ear to ear. this is a best message to spread around the world. ASL ROCKS

Coach Creech said...

WOW, This vlog is a must seen for hearing parents who are ignorant about deaf and aslan culture. Many thanks for sharing..

Anonymous said...

hoooooray your mother rocks!!!!!!!!


<3's
C

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Blogger Barb DiGi said...

Hands waving!! I am so impressed with your mother's strong involvement in your life making every effort to communicate with you without missing the gaps. Bless your mom!!

I am planning on giving a presentation to Early Intervention professionals and parents in the end of February and the title of my presentation is "Ways to make parents feel comfortable about ASL and Deaf culture." I have been gathering parents' and their Deaf children's testimonies also taping them in action during interaction time in a natural setting.

When I watched your vlog, I said BINGO! This is what I have been looking for to make my collection even greater and powerful! I would like to include you and your mother as a part of the video project to show the audience how it is beneficial to use signs with their Deaf children. I have prepared some questions and if you are interested for the interview, please contact me avbria17@yahoo.com. Thank you!!!

ASL Risen said...

Wow! Your mom is Hearing CHAMP!! Thank you, Deaf World Champ's Hearing Champ!

All the hearing parents should require to watch your vlog with subtitle! Hope anyone will help you and your busy mom!

Hugs, Shawn

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the story! My eyes became full of tears. I wish I have a mum like yours! My mum passed away very long time ago. She started signing when she was 50years old, when I already grew up, so it was too late. I loved my mum any way! We communicated well in our way.
Thank for sharing with us! Keep up with your vlog!

Deb Ann and Hannah said...

what a inspiring Story!

http://wavingwithmydeafhands.blogspot.com/2007/10/ci-and-tattoo.html


I am sooo impressed by your mom! My hugs to you and your mom for sharing! She is beautiful!

DeafKathy (Wilson) said...

Your parents are our HERO! Im glad you shared this video and it is very important to let other know about how parents dealt situation like this and it is OK to be scared but being opened mind is very important.
Giving the child empowerment is the key of success with bond between parents and child.

Anonymous said...

Adding my handwaving to the commenters above!

Wow, that tale told by your mother touched my heart and brought out tears from me!

It is an inspiring video clip! I agree if it is possible for you that you go ahead either subtitling your video clip or make out a transcript.

Continue do the great job of uplifting the Deaf people!

Anonymous said...

Your post is wonderful yes!
you are lucky have your Mom that she got common sense and have a big heart. Not many out there like that parents doing this because many parent can happen to be Selfish. You are lucky one really I mean it. Very few or rare parents to take it to learn it the ASL.

The parents rather have CI on thier children by not doing ASL as parents taking advantage of it. So right on ...... ASL is the Answer by our eyes is in everyday!

My parents is learing now as better than nothing. Because I took my hearing off and make my Parent to learn it and show our heart to share.

Take Care....
whoaaa yipppe ya!
Davy

Anonymous said...

hand waving !!!!! your mom rocks !!!! thank you for sharing with me
bridget

B.A.D. said...

HEY DWC!!

W-OOOOOO-W!!!

That is so wonderful!!! Great Vlog and to meet your mom, and her signing ASL is wonderful !!!

I really hope you can spread THIS Vlog around the world, and hospitals, thank you both so MUCH for sharing your touching experiences!!
Your Parents.....ROCK!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Im so glad that we are welcoming hearing parents to DeafRead! It is good to hear their experiences, perspectives and thoughts about raising a deaf child and perhaps bring hope to new hearing parents who may be distraught or upset when they first find out that their baby is deaf.

I hope there will be more vlogs like this. Please tell your mother a big Thank You for sharing her experiences.

My mother can sign a little bit but we can communicate well. I just wish that my parents had learned ASL when I was starting school and I think that would have been much easier for them.

Anonymous said...

Yea My parent are hearing and My five bro hearing and One Sis hearting so I am last baby deaf . so My parent put me in school for Hearing school all my life I have lots of hard time with that cause of My Cousin's school same mine so They put me Oarl speech all my life . so I was fough for it and I am try understand what They are talk about it so I have lots of Miss what they are talk about it so Unitl I was Learn sign langs by 19 years old so My parent werent happy with me few years Fanilly My parent were accpet when I am sign langs . OH boy ! so Thanks for My parent still keep me so I still fough for it so They stil love me so They do not learn sign langs so I still love them no matter what so I wish My Mom put me deaf school So it too late for that but I still accpet it I dont blame to My mom or Dad Too You know . They are stil my heart forever ! big smile I am glad I know how sign langs from though old friend I have to say big thanks for Help to teach me how to sign langs before I am die LOL hehe See you around

Ohh I forgot tell you somethings You are such lucky your mom keep you and your Mom just great learn sign langs You can talk with your mom each together easyer then mine OUCHIES lol but My Mom get oldise !

Big hugg every one
Shrimpy

Anonymous said...

wow your story so Let me expline to you what My story Big smile
Umm When My parent just find out I was Deaf so They kinda of sad for me but Thanks for them Do not give away (you know) They keep me but one things Guess what big time hard time for me though in my life so have to accpet to them and thanks for them to keep me ! -Like I say They (My parent ) just find out about school Oral speech cause of My Cousin was there so My mom and My aunt care about me in school for deaf and Oral speech . so My parent decsion me put in school there so I was there every day and Oral speech everyday without sign langs (I dont know about asl) this time so Unitl I was grow up Differend three school still same oral speech . so That How I meet one of guy teach me how sign langs So I am fall in love sign langs This time . so I keep secert (opps) so My parent didnt know that . Unitl It happend Old Dating That guy deaf sign langs And I were talk each together . My parent was kinda of unhappy with us . My Dad Say Why you can speak up with us what he say ? I say Welll Umm that how Fair Umm like you and mom talk each together so I dont understand what both of you talk about it ?like Us ? so My parent didnt answer back to us ! so Few months SO fanilly My parent accpet me Who I am so I can Sign langs and I am more happy to be understand them when they sign langs ! so One things Guess what ? My five bro and One sister didnt sign langs so My parent too that sad for me but I accpet them so I still love them No matter what ! so my dad try take class but too late for him ouchies ! sooo that what My story big smile
see you around
shrimpy

Anonymous said...

I am very impressed with your mother's signing skills. I hear of so many hearing parents of deaf children saying that they think ASL would be too hard or that they didn't have time to learn ASL...then their son or daughter is 18 years old one day...18 years is a long time to at least make an attempt to sign.

It is a lot easier for hearing parents to learn sign language than it is for many deaf children to learn speech and try to "hear." Not that there is anything wrong with that, but precious language years slip away for so many deaf kids...years that cannot be made up for. I have seen too many deaf children in public schools in this situation.

It is amazing what someone can do when they make the effort and set their mind to do it.

Everyone else has said it...but from my heart, your mom is AMAZING!

Please have your mother present this in spoken English as well or provide a written transcript for those parents who do not YET know sign language. I hope your mother can inspire them to meet their deaf child halfway and make the effort to sign.

Anonymous said...

Your parents are so humble to pay off your happiness. God bless their wisdom to make right decision for you. Thank the Lord Jesus Christ for you all. Keep fighting evil with good fight.

Anonymous said...

I am very proud of your parents who won't give you CI what they are very wise parents. Thank God for gave my parents who didn't know about CI. I am deaf since birth. Your mom's story is very beautiful. Thank you very much for share with us. God bless you and your family.

Anonymous said...

I am very proud of your mother about not CI. Your parents are very wise parents what was the best for you. You are very lucky to have your mom who is a very awesome parent. Thank God for my parents who they didn't know about CI. I am deaf since birth. Your mother's story is really awesome that I love. God bless you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Your mother really impressed me. I am very proud of your mom. Thank God for gave your parents blessing because they are very wise parents what was the best for you. They always make you happy. Your mother's story is really awesome that I love. Her ASL is so beautiful that you are very lucky to have her. I am deaf since birth. Thank God for my parents who didn't know about CI.

Anonymous said...

Rah Rah to your mother! She made a right decision that she feels you should make the final decision when you are fully grown.
She should be proud herself by having her open minded and understanding how other person's rights.
I hope she makes a great influence on other hearing parents of deaf child(ren) in near future.
Good Luck!

Anonymous said...

Your parent so richly Blessed, what God crested you who u are and you accpeted been Deaf. Thankful ur Parent be proud of you smile
Joe

Anonymous said...

WOWOW I AM SO PROUD OF UR MOM S BRAVE TO TELL STORY ON VLOG MY PARENT WERE DEAF I HAVE NO PLM BUT MY FREIND S PARENT ARE HEARING BUT THEY ALL ARE SUPPORT ASL THANKS UR MOM AND BEAUTIFUL ASL HOPE OTHER HEARING PARENT SEE WHAT UR MOM SAYS . GOOD LUCK VIKI

Anonymous said...

YEA.. I totally agreed with you!!

Anonymous said...

Hello,
wow great story! I teach sign lang at community college in Cleveland, will show your story to my students, it's wonderful to see what your Mom did for you. So many deaf kids forced to go oral sch. or be isolated in all hearing family. I applaud your mom.
Keep up blogs...
maish

Anonymous said...

Hat off to your awesome mother! she did right thing to decide what best for u so wish other hearing parents do the same. i grew up with deaf family and feel that u are nothing miss becuz of your parents support u rah rah !!!

Anonymous said...

Thank God your mother found the right doctor who recommended her to send you to NJ school for the deaf and your parent made right choice for you.

Anonymous said...

Applaud to your MOM.....give her
Mother of the Year....

Anonymous said...

thank you for share your story i wish i had mother like your mother . can you image my mother always told me "Dont sign in public" like she was embrassed and try to cover me pass as hearing .hide me and my older brother he use oral speak but cant hear.so i learned to keep quiet not talk in public to avoid sign with my deaf friends out in the world they told me so what!!! lets talk in public and let the world that i am deaf and my mother won't be accpected until i was about 30 years old and finally accpected and had some good sign when i was small girl. and will be 65 years old soon and married to hearing husband of 37 years that had two deaf brothers he understand deaf's world. all children are hearing to grow up to talk me in public.i wish my mother see that my children talked me( no shame)even my grandchidren but she passed away and never she said sorry to me but too late to hurt my emotonial so sad! .even i never know my daddy was killed when i was baby and never know what happend to me and my brother became deaf. i wish i had deaf child at least that would be more bond and affection to show my mother to be challaged.Deaf nana

Ella Mae Lentz said...

Thank you for this post! Thank your mom for exposing herself (face and signs) to give HOPE for us all...and to show something that we Deaf people have always seen and known, that once parents sign and embrace their Deaf child and their natural language, the whole Deaf world embraces the parents!

I loved what your mom said about being exposed to the Deaf community, seeing how just fine they are in their everyday lives, and that dimension alone, was powerful in affecting her decision to just let you decide about having CI or not and not to assume the responsibility for you.

Thank you and I hope this inspires others of you who have hearing parents who sign and have connections with other Deaf adults.

Anonymous said...

Bravo ! U have a wonderful parents to support u about ur experience life with important of LOVE.

Anonymous said...

February 2, 2008

Bravo Mother for mustering up courage to share thoughts on cochlear implant issues and your willingness to leave this decision to your deaf daughter. I believe that the American Society for Deaf Children, a national organization for parents of the Deaf would love hearing your story. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I am very proud of your parents who accepted you who you are. My late mother learned to communicate with me by sign language. My late father never learn to sign,, just writings until in his 90 age, he said he wished to learn ASL to talk to me because his failing eyesights to read closer to writing notes.
I thought every hearing people should learn ASL so they can sign to each other when noises around or between the roads or houses aparted. I noticed hearing person had to go across the road to talk closer to another hearing person or he had to go closer to his neighbor too.
When young, I could hear the noises like dog barks or loud noises just like CI's. It is no nonsense for total deafs to have CI.
KEEP UP THE WORKS AND FIGHTS NOT TO FORCE LITTLE DEAF CHILDREN TO HAVE CIS.

Anonymous said...

Wow!!
This is really proud of your mom that she is accepting u as I am way to support your mom that I dont want my grandchildren to get CI why? I am so proud of myself that I 'm deaf 2.
You are very special lucky girland your parents are your greAT SUPPORT U ALL THE WAY!! Also u will have good future, too..
Smile
WTG!!!!

Anonymous said...

WOW!!!!
GOT ME IN TEARS... I ADMIRED YOUR PARENTS FOR MAKING DETERMINED TO LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE WITHOUT DEMAND IN CI, ORAL, OR UNCOMMUNCIATE...
I TRULY WISH MY PARENTS KNEW ASL. MY AUNT KNOW HOW TO SIGN SHUT UP WHEN SHE ASKED ME HOW SIGN SHUT UP I WAS THRILL AND TAUGHT TO SIGN SHUT UP THEN SHE RESPONSE ME BACK WITH SIGN SHUT UP WAS BECAUSE I TALKED TOOO MUCH. I CRAVED FOR COMMUNCIATION ESPECIALLY WHEN I COME HOME EVERY FRIDAYS FROM DEAF SCHOOL. WOW YOUR VLOG REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT TO DEAF COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY TO HEARING PARENTS TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. I WONDERING IF ANY WAY FOR HEARING PERSON TO VOICE YOUR VLOG SO I CAN SHARE IT WITH MY FAMILY? BUT ONE THING I HAVE SOMEONE WHO KIND OF ADOPTED ME IN SPIRITUALLY THEY ARE INTERPRETER AND VERY MUCH STRONG SUPPORT IN ASL HOWEVER JUST I WISH MY REAL PARENTS WOULD LEARN SIGN LANG WHILE I WAS GROWIN UP AND NOW I AM 38 OF COURSE NOT TOO LATE BUT STILL IN MY VIEW IT IS. BECAUSE THEY DONT KNOW ME AND MY MISTERY FATHER WHO I HAVENT KNOW OR SEEN YEARS PASSED AWAY THREE MONTHS AGO. HOWEVER HE GAVE ME THE VERY LAST WORD BEFORE GOT IN COMA WAS THAT HE SIGN BACK TO ME ILY WHEN I SAID DADDY WE LOVE YOU AND HE FOUND STRENGTH TO PICK HIS HAND AND HAND ILY TO ME AND IT MEANT THE WORLD TO ME.
YOU GUYS REMIND ME OF MY BEST FRIEND WHO HAS PARENTS INCLUDING EACH MEMBER OF HER FAMILY KNOW SIGN LANG EVEN GRANDPARENTS MY FRIENDS AND I ALWAYS SAID SHE LUCKY GIRL OF DEAF SCHOOL HOWEVER SAD NEWS WE JUST LOST HER TWO MONTHS AGO DUE TO LUKEMIA. KNOW THE FAMILY WILL FEEL SO LOST BECAUSE THEY STILL USE ASL BUT TALK TO WHO? HOPE STILL TO DEAF COMMUNITY.
AGAIN TO YOU AND YOUR PARENTS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING AND PLS KEEP UP VLOGS. ALSO U WELCOME TO SEE MY VLOG AT BROKENHEART88. I JUST STARTED DOING VLOGS LAST WEEK AND ITS NOT GREAT BUT WILL GET BETTER WEBCAM FROM MY TWO BEST FRIENDS.

Anonymous said...

WOW, put lots of goose bumps on me. ALl I can say is youre one of the lucky ones to have great parents that goes beyond their habitual, willing to get into you making sure you re loved..
Keep up the good work, be waiting for more of you

R

Anonymous said...

wow, what an inspiration story that you had given to the world. I, myself, attended in MKSD, too. Glad that your parents had let you make your own decision. Very worthwhile, that your parents are using ASL to communicate with you.
Have a wonderful life for yourself and your family.
Best regards,
Suzanne Schuler