Alright, so we are all settled in and everything is going great! Miss Kat loves her school, and she is doing very well. They group kids by their language and academic levels, rather than strictly by grade. It is a wonderful system and Miss Kat is already showing great progress. It is also very very clear that this school has much higher standards and expectations for the children both in language and in academics...we couldn't be happier!
It has been a huge burden lifted from us, knowing that Miss Kat's education is finally in the hands of excellent professionals. In fact, I don't even know what to do with myself! I can't believe that I don't have to fight anymore! I know that she is getting appropriate services, by qualified people, who actually understand and can work with a deaf child with cochlear implants. I don't have to worry whether or not her CI is on the right program (yeah, that was an actual issue with that at the old oral school. Can you believe that? What kind of oral program can't work a hearing device?) I know that she is working for two hours a day just on literacy, that she is getting speech and language therapy...it's amazing. You know what the school wants me to do? BE A MOM, not a therapist! It's great!
Anyway, back to the point of my post.....we are having some trouble, but this time it is at church, not at school. As I have mentioned, we have attended a Deaf church since Miss Kat was around 2. Well, here, it isn't quite the same (good bye Utah, hello mission field!) We actually ARE still in the ward that serves the Deaf community (and that is just by "accident"...or someone elses plan!) but currently there are no Deaf people other than Miss Kat. So, we walked into the meeting and they had the "interpreter" ready for us. She did her thing, and Miss Kat followed along...for about 20 minutes, and then she started to color and do other things. (Uh, she is 7!) So, the "interpreter" decided to go and sit down....yep, no more interpreting. Then, when it was time for Miss Kat to go to class, she told me she was busy and that I should go with Miss Kat....
So, today I received a call from this "interpreter" again. She said she was sorry that we hadn't had the chance to formally talk on Sunday, and if there was anything that she could do for us. I said yes. I told her that I thought that Miss Kat could use the services of an interpreter during the children's classes. I said that they have lessons and sing songs and that I felt like she needed support during that time. She said, "yeah, I'm not going to do that.." In fact, she AGAIN asked me to go in, when I said that I didn't feel comfortable interpreting that meeting (church ASL and music are very different from the everyday conversational ASL that I use) she suggested that I just go with Miss Kat and have her "lipread" me.....SIGH! Until now I had always felt like church had been a place that was super supportive and understanding of Miss Kat's deafness and accommodated her and been a "Deaf place". If this IS the Deaf church, what on earth would it be like if we had gone to the hearing one???
Kat Reading
Showing posts with label Deaf community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deaf community. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Good-bye and welcome back
As some of you may have noticed, I made my blog private for a few days. I have always promised myself that no matter how negative the criticism got, I would leave my blog public, because I believe that it is a source of support for other parents and an opportunity to shed light on CIs, ASL, spoken language and Deaf education. Well, they managed to get me for a few days.
What happened? Well, I post on a certain deaf message board. There are many people there that do not like me, and do not like the choices we have made. They disparage me, my daughter and her progress. They have called me an audist more times than I can remember, and now they have begun to attack me personally, including making claims that I have severe mental health issues. It is disgusting. So, at one point they were attacking me, and trying to use the words from my blog as ammunition. So, I blocked it.
The whole situation makes me sad. These people are supposed to be my daughter's future and community. They are the ones that parents are supposed to turn to for support??? They attack every hearing parent who chooses a CI for their child, and most viciously, those who choose spoken language as well. It is despicable. Rather than encouraging ASL, they attack spoken language. There are individuals who claim that CIs don't work, others who say they "cringe" when they see children with CIs, and nearly all believe that it is appropriate to protest at a child's school......not ok.
All of this reminds me of how grateful I am for MY Deaf community. There are so many individuals who have made our journey amazing. They have been loving, supportive and welcoming. They were there when my daughter was diagnosed. They helped us see that she would be just fine, no matter what language she used. They helped us learn ASL, and gave us a way to communicate with Miss Kat. When we chose to give her a cochlear implant, they supported our choice. They told us that it was our decision, and they said that they knew we had deliberated and that we were making an informed, well thought out decision....and then it was not discussed again. When we decided to move Miss Kat to a spoken language program, they said that it was her decision, and that as long as we continued to give her language and expose her to the Deaf community, they were ok with that too.
I have always felt that the local Deaf community was a wonderful resource for us. They were kind and loving, open and welcoming. I will never be able to express how much they mean to us. I am also so thankful for Miss Kat's first school. Her bi-bi school taught her so much. They helped give her language, but also gave her a love for school and for learning. While eventually it was no longer an appropriate placement for her, that doesn't mean that it isn't great for other Deaf kids, or that the people who work there are not amazing, dedicated, wonderful people. While we may disagree on some things, I respect and love you all.
While we pack up a few last things, I would like to implore the online Deaf community (and those who choose to behave this way off-line as well) one last time. Please stop attacking. Parents aren't the enemy, even those who choose spoken language. Children with implants, even those who choose to listen and speak, and those who do NOT ever learn ASL, are still deaf. They are just deaf in another way. There are millions of Deaf and deaf people, and each and everyone is deaf in a different way.....and that is beautiful. There are successful ASL Deaf people, successful oral deaf people, successful Cuers and successful CI users.....and there are even successful people who do ALL of those things.
Don't tell parents that CIs don't work, that their child will never listen and speak, that isn't true, and they can see, everyday, in their own home, that it isn't. Instead of attacking spoken language, and telling them that their child will suffer and be damaged from CIs, tell them about what ASL can ADD to their lives. Talk about how wonderful, loving and inviting the Deaf community is, and how great it will be for their child to have EXTRA support, not that their child will grow up to hate them and reject them for choosing an implant.
I don't know, maybe I am a fool, but I want to build bridges. I want my child to listen and speak AND be Deaf. I don't want people to think that her CI is a failure because she chooses to sign. It just isn't true. But I also don't want people to think that just because she hears very well that she has become "hearing", she hasn't. She is Deaf, and always will be.
So, here we are. Perhaps I will be attacked again, for thinking that *I* (a hearing person) can give the Deaf community advice.....or maybe, somewhere, someone, will read my words, and take a tiny step towards the parents....volunteer to help out at a oral school, go to a meeting of a parents group, meet teenage oral/CI kids (and see how well they are doing), or that's too much, just be nice! Smile, nod and hug a parent or kid who needs your support!
What happened? Well, I post on a certain deaf message board. There are many people there that do not like me, and do not like the choices we have made. They disparage me, my daughter and her progress. They have called me an audist more times than I can remember, and now they have begun to attack me personally, including making claims that I have severe mental health issues. It is disgusting. So, at one point they were attacking me, and trying to use the words from my blog as ammunition. So, I blocked it.
The whole situation makes me sad. These people are supposed to be my daughter's future and community. They are the ones that parents are supposed to turn to for support??? They attack every hearing parent who chooses a CI for their child, and most viciously, those who choose spoken language as well. It is despicable. Rather than encouraging ASL, they attack spoken language. There are individuals who claim that CIs don't work, others who say they "cringe" when they see children with CIs, and nearly all believe that it is appropriate to protest at a child's school......not ok.
All of this reminds me of how grateful I am for MY Deaf community. There are so many individuals who have made our journey amazing. They have been loving, supportive and welcoming. They were there when my daughter was diagnosed. They helped us see that she would be just fine, no matter what language she used. They helped us learn ASL, and gave us a way to communicate with Miss Kat. When we chose to give her a cochlear implant, they supported our choice. They told us that it was our decision, and they said that they knew we had deliberated and that we were making an informed, well thought out decision....and then it was not discussed again. When we decided to move Miss Kat to a spoken language program, they said that it was her decision, and that as long as we continued to give her language and expose her to the Deaf community, they were ok with that too.
I have always felt that the local Deaf community was a wonderful resource for us. They were kind and loving, open and welcoming. I will never be able to express how much they mean to us. I am also so thankful for Miss Kat's first school. Her bi-bi school taught her so much. They helped give her language, but also gave her a love for school and for learning. While eventually it was no longer an appropriate placement for her, that doesn't mean that it isn't great for other Deaf kids, or that the people who work there are not amazing, dedicated, wonderful people. While we may disagree on some things, I respect and love you all.
While we pack up a few last things, I would like to implore the online Deaf community (and those who choose to behave this way off-line as well) one last time. Please stop attacking. Parents aren't the enemy, even those who choose spoken language. Children with implants, even those who choose to listen and speak, and those who do NOT ever learn ASL, are still deaf. They are just deaf in another way. There are millions of Deaf and deaf people, and each and everyone is deaf in a different way.....and that is beautiful. There are successful ASL Deaf people, successful oral deaf people, successful Cuers and successful CI users.....and there are even successful people who do ALL of those things.
Don't tell parents that CIs don't work, that their child will never listen and speak, that isn't true, and they can see, everyday, in their own home, that it isn't. Instead of attacking spoken language, and telling them that their child will suffer and be damaged from CIs, tell them about what ASL can ADD to their lives. Talk about how wonderful, loving and inviting the Deaf community is, and how great it will be for their child to have EXTRA support, not that their child will grow up to hate them and reject them for choosing an implant.
I don't know, maybe I am a fool, but I want to build bridges. I want my child to listen and speak AND be Deaf. I don't want people to think that her CI is a failure because she chooses to sign. It just isn't true. But I also don't want people to think that just because she hears very well that she has become "hearing", she hasn't. She is Deaf, and always will be.
So, here we are. Perhaps I will be attacked again, for thinking that *I* (a hearing person) can give the Deaf community advice.....or maybe, somewhere, someone, will read my words, and take a tiny step towards the parents....volunteer to help out at a oral school, go to a meeting of a parents group, meet teenage oral/CI kids (and see how well they are doing), or that's too much, just be nice! Smile, nod and hug a parent or kid who needs your support!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
A few cute things
This morning I was laying in bed (wishing that the creaking in Miss Kat's bed would stop and she would go back to sleep, but no dice!) and Miss Kat climbed out of her bed and made her way to the bathroom. I heard the door shut and then a minute later "Help! Help! The door is locked!". 
I run to the bathroom and it isn't locked, just stuck, so I let her out. She thanked me and went back to her room. It was sooooo cute to hear her call for help! 
I run to the bathroom and it isn't locked, just stuck, so I let her out. She thanked me and went back to her room. It was sooooo cute to hear her call for help! 
Also this week Miss Kat asked to get "french fries from Donalds" Woo Hoo! We went straight there!
Also, this week at school it is "Spirit Week". Each day has a different theme and the kids are supposed to dress to theme. For example, Thursday was crazy hat day, Tuesday was backwards day, etc. So, Friday was supposed to be blue and white day. Well, Miss Kat came home from school Thursday afternoon and informed us that it was not blue and white day but "pajama day". That is impressive not just because of the vocabulary improvement (used to be called "sleep clothes") but also because that would have been said over the speakers and they wouldn'r have sat there and explained it, she would have had to pick it up...not too shabby!
Also, this week at school it is "Spirit Week". Each day has a different theme and the kids are supposed to dress to theme. For example, Thursday was crazy hat day, Tuesday was backwards day, etc. So, Friday was supposed to be blue and white day. Well, Miss Kat came home from school Thursday afternoon and informed us that it was not blue and white day but "pajama day". That is impressive not just because of the vocabulary improvement (used to be called "sleep clothes") but also because that would have been said over the speakers and they wouldn'r have sat there and explained it, she would have had to pick it up...not too shabby!
Last night we attended a Deaf community event (one next week too). As soon as we walked in Miss Kat sternly told us (in voice) "No talking!" Well, that didn't last the whole time! While she used ASL with Deaf people, she still prefered to speak to us and hearing people (even though we signed the whole time). For "unknown" persons, she would speak and sign. Miss Kat was amazingly cute last night too. She decided that she was going to help out with one of the games. She would give the kids the tickets that they would earn. She would tell them "You're so beautiful!" (to little girls) or "You're are so strong" (to boys after they played) and everyone got a "Good job!" when she handed them the tickets or "So close!" if they missed. If they missed all the rings, she would say "It's ok, you still get one." I love my monkey so much.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Funny story from last week
So, we went to a birthday party for one of Miss Kat's friends last night. My husband and I were the only hearing people at the party. There had been some kind of mix up with the reservation (we were at a Chucky Cheese type business) and they were writing back and forth, trying to figure it out. At the same time the employee said "Wait a minute, we have someone who signs..." and goes off to find that person. (We all, of course, roll our eyes because that means that someone here once learned how to fingerspell from Sesame Street) So, the mom said again, "No, let's just write and finish this".
So, we finally get everything settled and into our party room. They write on the wipe board "If you need anything, let us know". So, the party goes on, and the board works well, they get soda and pizza, kids are having a good time. About an hour later, the party host figures out I can hear She walks up to me and says "Can you ask them if they want the pizza boxed up?" and I say back "Yeah, you can write that and she'll answer you." The party host looked dumbfounded, but wrote it on the board.
The mom and I just laughed! I am sure the poor 15 year old has no idea why I wouldn't speak and make this easier for her, but if the mom had wanted me to interpret, she would have asked me (she has in the past) and really, she grew up totally oral, so if she had wanted to speak, she would have done it herself!
So, we finally get everything settled and into our party room. They write on the wipe board "If you need anything, let us know". So, the party goes on, and the board works well, they get soda and pizza, kids are having a good time. About an hour later, the party host figures out I can hear She walks up to me and says "Can you ask them if they want the pizza boxed up?" and I say back "Yeah, you can write that and she'll answer you." The party host looked dumbfounded, but wrote it on the board.
The mom and I just laughed! I am sure the poor 15 year old has no idea why I wouldn't speak and make this easier for her, but if the mom had wanted me to interpret, she would have asked me (she has in the past) and really, she grew up totally oral, so if she had wanted to speak, she would have done it herself!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thought I would share
I don't know if many people outside the Deaf community have seen this video and since I know some hearing people follow Miss Kat's exploits I thought I would share this video. I think it is beautiful and I cry every time watch it. (Plus isn't that littlest girl just the sweetest thing you have ever seen??)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
When she grows up
I left this as a comment on someone else's blog, but I felt like I should also share this story here.
I asked Miss Kat a few days ago (please picture with appropriate signs!), "When you grow up big like Mommy and Daddy, and you grow a baby in your tummy" (her eyes grow very wide with wonder at her being big with a baby in her tummy) "and that baby is born, do you want your baby to be Deaf like you, or hearing like Mommy and Daddy?" She answered "Deaf".
I was so happy, my eyes teared up a little! Nothing on earth would make me happier than her to marry a great Deaf man from a Deaf family and for her to have tons of Deaf babies. I don't know if that will happen because Miss Kat's deafness is caused by medication and is in no way genetic....but we can all hope right?!
I asked Miss Kat a few days ago (please picture with appropriate signs!), "When you grow up big like Mommy and Daddy, and you grow a baby in your tummy" (her eyes grow very wide with wonder at her being big with a baby in her tummy) "and that baby is born, do you want your baby to be Deaf like you, or hearing like Mommy and Daddy?" She answered "Deaf".
I was so happy, my eyes teared up a little! Nothing on earth would make me happier than her to marry a great Deaf man from a Deaf family and for her to have tons of Deaf babies. I don't know if that will happen because Miss Kat's deafness is caused by medication and is in no way genetic....but we can all hope right?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)