Sunshine Praises

Finding Hidden Rainbows in Everyday Life

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You are here: Home / Archives for Deafness

Reflections on Choices

September 13, 2020 By Melanie

When Ez was first fitted with his hearing aids, we let him choose his path. He never wore hats or bands that forced his “ears” to stay in place. If he wanted them, he left them on, if he didn’t, he pulled them off. He pulled them off pretty much every minute for months. He… [Read More]

Adoption: Language Deprivation and your MCC

November 30, 2017 By Melanie

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]

Praise: Milton the Mealtime Companion Helps Kids Eat Healthy

August 22, 2016 By Melanie

There isn’t a parent in the world that hasn’t struggled with trying to get their children to try (and eat) a variety of foods. Vegetables, starches, fruits, meats, dairy. You name it, every tyke I know has gone through at least one food aversion period. With my last two kids (Lulu and Ezra), I spent… [Read More]

Deafness: Where are the 90%?

June 22, 2016 By Melanie

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]

The Day a Video of My Son Went Viral

April 17, 2016 By Melanie

In May I will have been blogging for seven years and even though I have had a few articles go viral, I have not experienced anything like I did this past week when a video of my son Ezra went viral. A few weeks ago I posted a cute little video of my son giggling… [Read More]

#WhyISign Campaign

March 15, 2016 By Melanie

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]

Deaf Child Waiting: Isla with Heartsent Adoptions

October 1, 2015 By Melanie

Sunshine Praises is not an official advocate for any agency. My goal is to help all deaf and hard of hearing waiting children find their forever families. This little sweetie showed up in my newsfeed today and I just had to share her. Isla is another deaf Chinese waiting child. She is absolutely adorable. She does have several… [Read More]

Early Literacy in ASL (Retelling a Story)

August 28, 2015 By Melanie

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

August 19, 2015 By Melanie

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

July 23, 2015 By Melanie

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]

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sunshinepraises

Chasing hidden rainbows and sprinkling #PixieDust 🧚‍♀️ about:
🤟🏼 #SignLanguage
💙💛#cheermom
🍊🏝#FloridaMom
#DisneyMom
#Adoption
#Newfie

Lulu working on that tuck combo! #islandallstars 💙💛
Happiest of birthdays to our sweet girl! She’s f Happiest of birthdays to our sweet girl! She’s fiercely determined, loves chocolate ice cream and can hit a 3 pointer like no one’s business! She read 6,000 minutes this school year, received the PE award and made safety patrol for next year. 

Happy Birthday 🎉🎈🎁🎂
👀 I spy this kid who came out in his very first 👀 I spy this kid who came out in his very first swim meet to win his heat in the 25m Free (8yo group)! 

First swim team, first meet! So proud of him for doing his best! 
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#deafkidsrock #deafcan #deafswimmer
We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two signing coaches!
My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track and field. Video is him running the 100m!
#deafkidscan #deafkidsrock
I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work helper. Isn’t she the cutest?? 😝#kittensitten #kittenlove #hernameismeatball 😝
My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! Pe My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! 
Perks of living close to 95 is being a great place for a quick stretch and hug. 

Love these girls so much! #sunshinesisters ☀️
When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoi When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoils you with goodies!!! And feeds all your passions. #orangebird #squirrels #ILY #LunarNewYear
I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabil I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabilites Team Infinity! They are amazing and we had such a great time at @east_coast_championships in Jacksonville yesterday. This comp surely knows how to make their athletes feel special! Thank you ECC for being the best!
Happy 17th to the first one that called me mom! 🎂🎈🎉
Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good competition but cold!
Little man passed 200 lines this week on his readi Little man passed 200 lines this week on his reading log. Reading at night is exhausting for his ADHD brain but we fight through. I’m so thankful for his TEAM at FSDB who work so hard with him. Deaf kids can read! #deafkidsrock #signlanguage #literacymatters #allthelanguage
When one of your besties is driving through and kn When one of your besties is driving through and knows you are right off the interstate, she plans 30 minutes for a hug and break! Two years is WAY to long to go without a visit! Thank you @southernsun74 for taking the time to love on me! 

See you in February!
My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I tho My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I thought about all the birthdays with you and all the ones that we have missed since you left us.

I’ve watched a lot of grief from the sidelines the past 6 months. I remember the days of counting Wednesdays then months, then years. And even though it’s been 26 years since we last celebrated your birthday, it feels like last year. 

There was no social media in 1996 but yet your smile and spirit continues to brighten lives. When people remember you, they do it with such love and joy. 

Oh my sweet Jenny - I miss your smile and your sunny outlook. I miss your goodness and light. 

Jenny and I bought these cute matching angels on our Christmas trip to the Galapagos. I haven’t thought of them in many years (I keep them stored away now after years of being in my car), but this morning as I sat in my grief they popped up in my mind. A broken wing, from a tragedy that still brings tears contrasted with the treasured moments of standing in a stall picking sweet matching angels for our Christmas gift to one another. 

Happy Birthday Sunshine ☀️
This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carse This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carselfies
Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do yo Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do you ask? Her kitten mousse is sprinkled with Lays Chips. #fedisbest #kittenstoo #bottlefedrescuekitty #sheloveschips
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