While perusing adoption Facebook groups, I regularly come across a particular type of post. “My husband and I are starting the adoption process, we are looking for a young, minor needs girl ages 0-3. What are some minor needs that you would recommend that don’t require surgery or life long care.” Inevitably someone will ALWAYS… [Read More]
Deafness: Where are the 90%?
Shortly after Nyle Demarco won the coveted mirror ball a NY Times post entitled Parents of Deaf Children, Stuck in the Middle of an Argument began making the rounds on Facebook. There was a beautiful picture of Nyle DiMarco and Peta as click bait for the reader but it wasn’t an article applauding Nyle’s accomplishment, no, it was another article bemoaning… [Read More]
#WhyISign Campaign
Today I am excited to share with you a very important campaign called #WhyISign. This video campaign was created by Stacy Abrams in order to encourage and support the families of Deaf children to consider ASL an important part of their deaf child’s identity. The campaign has been going on for a few months now but… [Read More]
Early Literacy in ASL (Retelling a Story)
Recently Ezra has been blooming in his language acquisition. He is on target with hearing peers for typical developing children. He regularly uses two word sentences and has mastered the “question” signs, WHAT, WHERE and WHO. We often see sentences like: Where paci? Who (index)? What (index)? *normally referring to a sound or something he… [Read More]
Parenting Survey – Church Attendance & Special Needs Children
Disclaimer: I am using the term “special needs” to include children with a range of medical, physical and sensory disabilities. While I prefer to use positive and affirming choices, I believe “special needs” best defines the intentions of the survey. Have you ever looked around your church and realized that there are no families with special… [Read More]
Ughh, I Hate the Word “Thrive” Used to Describe Deaf Children
In my new identity as a parent of a “special needs” child, I am continuously annoyed by parents regular use of the word “thrive” when discussing their children. It happened the other day when I dared to venture out into a cochlear implant discussion. The parent that was 100% against the use of sign language lambasted… [Read More]
Deaf Child Advocacy (China): Yi with CCAI
**This child has been matched with her forever family.** This is it friends. My very first advocacy post. I should tell you right now that I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what I am doing. I feel a little crazy, I mean, how can you advocate for adoption when you haven’t even adopted yet. However, I… [Read More]
Book Praise & Giveaway: Noah’s Noisy Zoo
Disclosure: I am a Tommy Nelson Mom. I receive discounted and complimentary items from my connection with this group. All opinions and experiences are entirely my own. Contains affiliate links. One of the most significant concerns in the world of raising a Deaf child is literacy acquisition. Early and consistent exposure to books and other… [Read More]
Disney World Sign Language Interpreter Services
Disclosure: My family was invited to the 2015 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. I paid a conference fee to attend and received discounted and complimentary items from Walt Disney World as part of the experience. I was not asked to write about the conference or our family trip. All opinions and experiences are entirely my… [Read More]
My Deaf Child is Not a Tragedy
My Deaf child is not a tragedy. As Ez has gotten older and more communicative, my decision not to tell strangers that my child is Deaf doesn’t really work. When he was little, I always let the little old church lady, the waitress or that nice neighbor down the street go all goo goo and gah gah… [Read More]