This is a post from our local newspaper.There is a Deaf ministry hosted by the Catholic Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They invited this inspiring Deaf Priest (only one of 6 in our country currently) to come hold one of his retreats and share with the Deaf and the Hearing.
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/06/deaf_priest_leads_sign_languag.html
I hope to read more stories like this in the future.
Raised on the Southern Oregon Coast, now retired on the Southern Oregon Coast. I was a hard of hearing child who grew up to be a deafened adult. I share and write about deafness, hearing loss and other things I find interesting. I am a 50 something year old woman who could be anyone's mother, grandmother or friend. I've traveled the U.S., and I've lived in Europe. I'm currently residing near the beach with Fabulous Husband and 11 year old son. ~ Joyce Edmiston
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Saturday, January 21, 2012
"Hearing the Unheard"
Dr. Joseph Valente, who became deaf from the high fever that resulted from pneumonia when he was a child, shares some interesting stories, statistics and advice. We need to follow his advice. This was an excellent speech, Closed Captioned. It's worth your time to view:
http://www.deaftv.com/film/TEDxPSU-Hearing-the-Unheard/
These are fascinating statistics if you are a parent or you work with children.
Here is a little tidbit from the speech: "Well, the Maryland School for the Deaf, they hold the distinction of passing state exams at higher rates than their hearing peers in hearing schools." Watch the video and learn more.
http://www.deaftv.com/film/TEDxPSU-Hearing-the-Unheard/
These are fascinating statistics if you are a parent or you work with children.
Here is a little tidbit from the speech: "Well, the Maryland School for the Deaf, they hold the distinction of passing state exams at higher rates than their hearing peers in hearing schools." Watch the video and learn more.
Friday, January 20, 2012
A Deaf Advocate's Story of a Very Special Deaf Man
This is one of Annie's stories. Annie used to be my advocate/case worker for many years before I moved away, and I am privileged to call her my friend, too. I think you will find her story as she struggled to communicate with a very special Deaf man to be educational and inspiring. The link to her blog is at the bottom of the page.
Saturday 14 January 2012: Another Chapter, Same Story
Thirty years ago, a young me sat on this bench with a 72 year old man who had been Deaf from birth. He was born during at time when Sign Language was not used in the schools for the Deaf, the signs he used were home signs. The day came when his mother, age 91 and very confused, lived in this very facility (where Mother Comfort now looks forward to leaving) and he rode his bike up and down the hills three times a day to come have meals with her. "My little partner" she called him.
His name was Harold, and hers Ethel, and they both loved the King's Table buffet...especially the fried chicken. I had been commissioned to figure out how to communicate with him so that it would be possible to help him understand what was going on when his mother passed. It became clear that the first best thing was to learn their home signs, so I came every day to this place and spent time with them, building trust and observing.
When first I tried to teach him a few signs, he shut down, completely uninterested, as it was common back in the days he was educated to punish deaf people for using their hands to communicate, he looked down at the floor, almost ashamed when I used my hands to try to connect with him. So I waited. I came every day, took them to lunch or ate with them at the facility.
The ice breaker came when he climbed in to the back seat of a 2-door vehicle and she transferred from her wheelchair into the front seat. He couldn't get out to help me when he saw me struggling to figure out how her wheelchair folded up. This was usually his job, but he was trapped and out of pure desperation to help, he began to wave his hands wildly at me, then using classifiers, he described perfectly how I should approach folding the particular chair. With two 'B' hand shapes, palms down, beginning in the center and moving away from each other, he defined the seat, then showed me how to lift from each side and the chair would collapse as I lifted. I watched closely, followed his instruction and...success!! He was thrilled (I was too) and we began a journey of teaching each other.
On this bench, I so clearly remember sitting and looking at the bush behind the bench. I showed him the sign I understood as 'wood' and he showed me what his mother and he used. After that, a plane flew over and we exchanged the sign for airplane. On and on it went, 'mother', 'money', 'mailman', etc., the joy of sharing a window in to each others worlds, big smiles and satisfied nods, but we never got to the concept of death, not once.
The shocker came when he himself died later that same year and it was Ethel who needed help to understand what this process of losing a son was all about. If only I knew myself.
Hanging around this place for the last month or so, has been bitter sweet. I always feel close to Harold and Ethel when I'm here. She was 102 when she passed away and was so done with this earth by then, but I will always love and miss them. Mother Comfort doesn't want to come anywhere near 102 and I can't say I really blame her. She's ready to leave here and will miss only the lovely people who have cared for her. I do hold out hope that she will still learn new things and find a bit more joy in the process.
We bought a new toilet today. That has nothing to do with anything, except that the old one stunk and the new one doesn't. That makes me happy. It doesn't take much...
http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/1666752
Be sure to click on the different days of Annie's calendar to see other stories and photos.
Saturday 14 January 2012: Another Chapter, Same Story
Thirty years ago, a young me sat on this bench with a 72 year old man who had been Deaf from birth. He was born during at time when Sign Language was not used in the schools for the Deaf, the signs he used were home signs. The day came when his mother, age 91 and very confused, lived in this very facility (where Mother Comfort now looks forward to leaving) and he rode his bike up and down the hills three times a day to come have meals with her. "My little partner" she called him.
His name was Harold, and hers Ethel, and they both loved the King's Table buffet...especially the fried chicken. I had been commissioned to figure out how to communicate with him so that it would be possible to help him understand what was going on when his mother passed. It became clear that the first best thing was to learn their home signs, so I came every day to this place and spent time with them, building trust and observing.
When first I tried to teach him a few signs, he shut down, completely uninterested, as it was common back in the days he was educated to punish deaf people for using their hands to communicate, he looked down at the floor, almost ashamed when I used my hands to try to connect with him. So I waited. I came every day, took them to lunch or ate with them at the facility.
The ice breaker came when he climbed in to the back seat of a 2-door vehicle and she transferred from her wheelchair into the front seat. He couldn't get out to help me when he saw me struggling to figure out how her wheelchair folded up. This was usually his job, but he was trapped and out of pure desperation to help, he began to wave his hands wildly at me, then using classifiers, he described perfectly how I should approach folding the particular chair. With two 'B' hand shapes, palms down, beginning in the center and moving away from each other, he defined the seat, then showed me how to lift from each side and the chair would collapse as I lifted. I watched closely, followed his instruction and...success!! He was thrilled (I was too) and we began a journey of teaching each other.
On this bench, I so clearly remember sitting and looking at the bush behind the bench. I showed him the sign I understood as 'wood' and he showed me what his mother and he used. After that, a plane flew over and we exchanged the sign for airplane. On and on it went, 'mother', 'money', 'mailman', etc., the joy of sharing a window in to each others worlds, big smiles and satisfied nods, but we never got to the concept of death, not once.
The shocker came when he himself died later that same year and it was Ethel who needed help to understand what this process of losing a son was all about. If only I knew myself.
Hanging around this place for the last month or so, has been bitter sweet. I always feel close to Harold and Ethel when I'm here. She was 102 when she passed away and was so done with this earth by then, but I will always love and miss them. Mother Comfort doesn't want to come anywhere near 102 and I can't say I really blame her. She's ready to leave here and will miss only the lovely people who have cared for her. I do hold out hope that she will still learn new things and find a bit more joy in the process.
We bought a new toilet today. That has nothing to do with anything, except that the old one stunk and the new one doesn't. That makes me happy. It doesn't take much...
http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/1666752
Be sure to click on the different days of Annie's calendar to see other stories and photos.
Slow Motion ASL Tragedy
I love this unique ASL tragedy and the unique way it is told. This is posted at Slow Motion Portraits, and I believe the signer's name is Tony Bloem. http://www.veysi.eu/Portraits/DEEP-LOOK-1/11073680_qjnmmr#!i=1244283506&k=ujLQa&lb=1&s=A
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Research is IN: Twitter Played a Vital Role in the Queensland Floods
As a deaf person, I found Twitter to help me in Pennsylvania during our floods here several months ago. My community tweeted which roads were open, which ones were flooding, and because of Twitter, my husband was able to come in from the Pennsylvania captitol city of Harrisburg just in time before the secondary roads closed.
Twitter was also helpful in the Queensland, Australia area. Though the floods happened a year ago this month, the research is now rolling in about the vital role Twitter played through their disaster. See the research here, posted by Kim Stephens: http://idisaster.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/new-report-on-twitter-use-in-queensland-floods/
Twitter was also helpful in the Queensland, Australia area. Though the floods happened a year ago this month, the research is now rolling in about the vital role Twitter played through their disaster. See the research here, posted by Kim Stephens: http://idisaster.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/new-report-on-twitter-use-in-queensland-floods/
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
We're Doing It Wrong...
In regards to SOPA, according to the last paragraph, "Instead of taking a sledgehammer to our internet, we should use a scalpel to specifically remove these rogue, foreign sources of piracy, while avoiding placing a burden on our American web companies." Joe Sestak. Read the complete article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-joe-sestak/sopa-corporat-lobbyists_b_1212417.html
"I'm Elmo and I Know It"... KIDS, LOOK AT THIS VIDEO....
HA! Captioned when the song starts ! "Kids, look at these crayons" .. KIDS, LOOK AT THIS VIDEO. :-)
Dead Man's Party
Here's something a little different put together by some creative kids for an ASL project at school. It's visually... interesting. :-) I think some of my Zombie loving friends will enjoy this bit. I did. Lyrics are below the video.
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder x2
It’s only me
Waiting for an invitation to arrive
Goin' to a party where no one's still alive x2
*CHORUS
I was struck by lighting
Walkin' down the street
I was hit by something last night in my sleep
It's a dead man's party
Who could ask for more?
Everybody's comin', leave your body at the door
Leave your body and soul at the door…
(Don't run away it's only me)
Only me…
Only me…
All dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' (with a dead man)x2
Waitin' for an invitation to arrive
Walking with a dead man…Dead Man…Dead Man…
Got my best suit and my tie
Shiny silver dollar on either eye
I hear the chauffeur comin' to my door
Says there's room for maybe just one more…
*CHORUS
Don't run away it's only me
Don't be afraid of what you can't see
Don't run away it's only me…
It’s only me…It’s only me…
*CHORUS
Don't run away it's only me
Don't be afraid of what you can't see
Don't run away it's only me…
Don't be afraid of what you can't see
It’s only me… (Repeat 9 times)
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder x2
It’s only me
Waiting for an invitation to arrive
Goin' to a party where no one's still alive x2
*CHORUS
I was struck by lighting
Walkin' down the street
I was hit by something last night in my sleep
It's a dead man's party
Who could ask for more?
Everybody's comin', leave your body at the door
Leave your body and soul at the door…
(Don't run away it's only me)
Only me…
Only me…
All dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' (with a dead man)x2
Waitin' for an invitation to arrive
Walking with a dead man…Dead Man…Dead Man…
Got my best suit and my tie
Shiny silver dollar on either eye
I hear the chauffeur comin' to my door
Says there's room for maybe just one more…
*CHORUS
Don't run away it's only me
Don't be afraid of what you can't see
Don't run away it's only me…
It’s only me…It’s only me…
*CHORUS
Don't run away it's only me
Don't be afraid of what you can't see
Don't run away it's only me…
Don't be afraid of what you can't see
It’s only me… (Repeat 9 times)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
ASLTUNES Mobile App
I am a HUGE fan of ASL music videos, especially ones that are closed captioned so everyone can enjoy them. Now, the Deaf and Hearing Impaired community can have their own version of Itunes in the form of ASLTUNES. Check out this page and the genius behind this idea, Jade at the link below, and if you can, spread the word and help her and her team out as they work on the app to get this great idea up and running. Follow the link and see what's happening right now with their project:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zhaneazele/you-got-itunes-we-got-asltunestm
Perhaps you remember Ann Marie Bryan (Jade) from another important piece of work, her documentary "9/11 10 Years Later - Are They Ready for Deaf People".
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zhaneazele/you-got-itunes-we-got-asltunestm
Perhaps you remember Ann Marie Bryan (Jade) from another important piece of work, her documentary "9/11 10 Years Later - Are They Ready for Deaf People".
Monday, January 16, 2012
"CODA" A short film by Melissa Mostyn-Thomas
"CODA" Child of Deaf Adult is written and directed by Melissa Mostyn-Thomas, a writer and journalist. This is worth 10 minutes of your time to watch. You may also want to check out Melissa's blog. Her link is below the video.
http://www.bslbt.co.uk/zoom/films/zoom_2011/coda/
Melissa's blog: http://www.themostynjournal.blogspot.com/
You may have to let the video load fully onto your computer before watching if you are in the U.S. I had a bit of difficulty with the player working on my computer. It is well worth the wait and your time.
http://www.bslbt.co.uk/zoom/films/zoom_2011/coda/
Melissa's blog: http://www.themostynjournal.blogspot.com/
You may have to let the video load fully onto your computer before watching if you are in the U.S. I had a bit of difficulty with the player working on my computer. It is well worth the wait and your time.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Free Online Resource
Amy Strassner Sargent left this link for me to share with my readers who would like to learn ASL. This is a FREE online university full of resources for teachers, educators and those of us who just want to learn more. Thank you, Amy, for sharing this information with us! http://www.lifeprint.com/
"We Are Deaf"
I have watched a few of these videos now and again. I'm happy to see there are some captions on here. I was always disappointed that there were no captions available on the actual series for hard of hearing just learning signs, or the "newly deaf" learning to sign. Some of us don't know anyone around us who use Sign Language, some are home bound, have no transportation, or not able to afford costly classes, so the next best thing is to find educational ASL videos online. These were interesting because you see other deaf people around the world, a bit of their culture, signs which are variously different from ASL.
Joel Barrish is a GREAT host to watch as he travels and interviews people.
The video: http://deafnation.com/joelbarish/people/we-are-deaf/
The back story of the video: http://deafnation.com/we-are-deaf-behind-the-scenes/
Joel Barrish is a GREAT host to watch as he travels and interviews people.
The video: http://deafnation.com/joelbarish/people/we-are-deaf/
The back story of the video: http://deafnation.com/we-are-deaf-behind-the-scenes/
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
"Say Hey" Interpreted by Dano Kaufman
Here's a "feel good" ASL video for the day. :-)
This one goes out to you and yours, worldwide
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
Seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you
I've been a lot of places all around the way
I've seen a lot of joy, and I've seen a lot of pain
But I don't want to write a love song for the world
I just want to write a song about a boy and a girl
Junkies on the corner, always calling my name
And the kids on the corner playing ghetto games
When I saw you getting down, girl, I hoped it was you
And when I looked into your eyes, I knew it was true
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
Seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you
Now I'm not a highly metaphysical man
But I know when the stars are aligned you can
Bump into a person in the middle of the road
Look into their eyes, and you suddenly know
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
Dancing in the night in the middle of June
My momma told me don't lose you
'Cause the best luck I had was you
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
[ From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/michael-franti-lyrics/say-hey-lyrics.html ]
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you
And I say, rocking in the dance, hall moving with you
I say, hey momma, hey momma, close to you
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey, trippa, trippa, got to shoot
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey momma, close to you
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma
Hey momma, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma
My momma told me don't lose you
'Cause the best luck I had was you
And I know one thing that I love you
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I'll be back around the way
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I'll be back around the way
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey papa, hey papa, hey momma, hey momma
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
Come on, hey papa, hey papa, come to shoot
(Hey mama, hey mama)
Say Hey lyrics
Songwriters: Dunbar, S; Franti, Michael; Shakespear, R; Young, Carl Rogers;This one goes out to you and yours, worldwide
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
Seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you
I've been a lot of places all around the way
I've seen a lot of joy, and I've seen a lot of pain
But I don't want to write a love song for the world
I just want to write a song about a boy and a girl
Junkies on the corner, always calling my name
And the kids on the corner playing ghetto games
When I saw you getting down, girl, I hoped it was you
And when I looked into your eyes, I knew it was true
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
Seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you
Now I'm not a highly metaphysical man
But I know when the stars are aligned you can
Bump into a person in the middle of the road
Look into their eyes, and you suddenly know
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
Dancing in the night in the middle of June
My momma told me don't lose you
'Cause the best luck I had was you
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
[ From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/michael-franti-lyrics/say-hey-lyrics.html ]
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you
And I say, rocking in the dance, hall moving with you
I say, hey momma, hey momma, close to you
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey, trippa, trippa, got to shoot
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey momma, close to you
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma
Hey momma, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma
My momma told me don't lose you
'Cause the best luck I had was you
And I know one thing that I love you
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I'll be back around the way
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
I say, hey, I be gone today
But I'll be back around the way
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey papa, hey papa, hey momma, hey momma
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
Come on, hey papa, hey papa, come to shoot
(Hey mama, hey mama)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Controversy....
Amy Cohen Efron wrote this excellent piece. This is very controversial, and it's about time someone shed light on this issue. Just this winter, an innocent Deaf man was tased to death by Law Enforcement here in Pennsylvania, and if you follow the links in this article, you will be appalled how we treat our Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens.
So, what's the deal with this? Well, watch the clip she included from Switched at Birth and you will experience this from the view of a Deaf person. Also, when you handcuff a Deaf person, you take away their voice...their voice is the language they speak with their hands. Be informed. Be aware, be compassionate and sensitive to your fellow citizens. xpressive handz.
http://www.deafeyeseeit.com/2012/01/10/switched-at-birth-emmett-arrested-and-handcuffed/
An excellent comment was left below the article suggested that Law Enforcement and First Responders have Deaf awareness training yearly.
30 things to stop doing to yourself
These are excellent. If you're not familiar with Marc and Angel's inspiring website, this is a great time to check them out, maybe even incorporate of few of these items into your new year: http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Signing Flash Mob
This is a FUN group of signers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i8cw_nxTSGA#!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i8cw_nxTSGA#!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Deaf Awareness Presentation for Helen Keller Week
I had an amazing week last week visiting eight classrooms of adorable kids and their fabulous teachers. My son's Second Grade teacher invited me to come to school and give presentations on deafness and Sign Language during Helen Keller week. I visited just one class on Wednesday, then three classes on Thursday and four on Friday.
The Second Grade students and teachers at my son's school ROCK. They were an excellent audience, asked smart questions and taught me a sign or two as well as corrected me when I discussed the hairs in the ears: they are not just hairs, "They are hair cells" according to one very smart scientific young man.
I was terribly nervous for the first class, in part because it was with the teacher who invited me and also because my son was in this class. I still don't know how to switch from the role of "Mommy" to "teacher" and he doesn't, either. It rather made me tense each time his hand went up to ask a question.
I began the presentation by explaining that I am deaf, how I lost my hearing from many, many ear infections through the years, the sounds just faded away slowly year after year. It was others who noticed my deafness before I did. We discussed the different ways a person can lose their hearing, the importance of taking care of our ears, wearing helmets when riding bikes and skate boarding, because a blow to the head can cause deafness. We discussed how high fevers and illness can cause deafness, as in the case of Helen Keller. The one point I did drive home was how important it is to not turn things up louder than they need when they use ear buds and head phones. One student spoke up and told us that was how her Grandfather lost his hearing, listening to really loud music.
We talked about being born deaf, being culturally Deaf, and how many Deaf people do not consider themselves to be disabled, and that it is perfectly ok to ask someone if they are Deaf. We discussed and demonstrated how Closed Captions work for tv and DVD's as well shared a demonstration of how the Cap Tel Relay system works for telephone calls. I hope in the near future to check out a Video Relay phone and the app for that as well.
They were fascinated to learn how our manual alphabet is dated back at least to the 11th century, about a thousand years ago from Chunny, France where it is documented that Monks used the signs during their vows of silence when they had to perform funerals or other public services. After the first class, I had to preface I did not know why the Monks made vows of Silence, because that was the first thing a student asked about, "Why do they do vows of Silence?"
We discussed how someone born deaf who has never heard before would not know how to speak unless they had classes in speech therapy, and how many Deaf learn to read lips and facial expression and how American Sign Language is their First Language. I myself had speech therapy and I also took speech reading classes where I learned to read lips, facial expressions and to use guess work and intuition while following conversations.
We discussed how to properly speak to a Deaf or hard of hearing person, to be sure that their lips and face are visible, that it is ok to touch a person to get their attention or wave, and it is perfectly acceptable to speak up if a person says, "Please speak up" as long as it is with a respectful tone.
I showed the students my hearing aids, explained they are not perfect, they are just aids and even though many of us wear them, we still can't hear many things clearly. They help us to be aware of sounds near us and ambient noise, though sounds can be difficult to distinguish, or to know what we are hearing. When I explained how my first pair of hearing aids allowed me to hear birds for the first time in many years (when my hearing was then just moderate) some of their faces looked so surprised. It was a great example of how a gradual loss can occur without a person even being aware, and that this may be the case for many of their Grandparents one day. It's ok to let Grandma and Grandpa know they are losing some sounds and to encourage them to use Closed Captions, a Cap Tel phone and to get their hearing tested, perhaps a pair of hearing aids may help.
The most important point I wanted to drive home was that Deaf people can do anything a hearing person can...except hear. We can read tv, make phone calls and there are some great advances in technology that allows this to be possible for us. The question of driving came up, which was a great example of how we can do the same things as "hearing people".
The highlight of their presentation was learning the manual alphabet and how to use the first letter of their name over their heart for the basic "sign name". I also make a clear point of how they should never make up their own sign name, only a Deaf person fluent in ASL should do this. They would not want to end up calling themselves something like "Nose Picker". They laughed at that and shook their heads, some teachers cringed, but it brought home the point of the importance of not making up their own signs. I showed them the Signing Dictionary I use and told them they could ask their librarian if there is one at the library they can check out.
The children now know how to make friends with a Deaf child at the park. They learned to sign, "Hi, Friend, play?" I think that is the most important phrase a child can learn, besides, "I love you".
At the end of the class, for the tv and Closed Caption demonstration, I showed a video clip of Rachel Coleman from Signing Time teaching how to count from one to ten and the "counting song". Many were familiar with the Closed Caption, for others it was the first time "reading tv". They were very interested in the Signing Time DVD. I told them they could check the DVD's out for free from our own local library and watch them at home.
I explained the two most common Sign Languages we use in our country, Signing Exact English (to teach Deaf children how to read) and ASL, conversational Sign Language. I shared how ASL is like reading a book of just pictures, no words were needed, just concepts of the pictures to tell the story.
As I write this, I can't help but wonder if perhaps one of these students today will grow up and become an interpreter or a counselor or teacher working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community? Wouldn't it be lovely to know not only did we bring Deaf awareness to the future generation, but also helped someone discover a future career path?
The Second Grade students and teachers at my son's school ROCK. They were an excellent audience, asked smart questions and taught me a sign or two as well as corrected me when I discussed the hairs in the ears: they are not just hairs, "They are hair cells" according to one very smart scientific young man.
I was terribly nervous for the first class, in part because it was with the teacher who invited me and also because my son was in this class. I still don't know how to switch from the role of "Mommy" to "teacher" and he doesn't, either. It rather made me tense each time his hand went up to ask a question.
I began the presentation by explaining that I am deaf, how I lost my hearing from many, many ear infections through the years, the sounds just faded away slowly year after year. It was others who noticed my deafness before I did. We discussed the different ways a person can lose their hearing, the importance of taking care of our ears, wearing helmets when riding bikes and skate boarding, because a blow to the head can cause deafness. We discussed how high fevers and illness can cause deafness, as in the case of Helen Keller. The one point I did drive home was how important it is to not turn things up louder than they need when they use ear buds and head phones. One student spoke up and told us that was how her Grandfather lost his hearing, listening to really loud music.
We talked about being born deaf, being culturally Deaf, and how many Deaf people do not consider themselves to be disabled, and that it is perfectly ok to ask someone if they are Deaf. We discussed and demonstrated how Closed Captions work for tv and DVD's as well shared a demonstration of how the Cap Tel Relay system works for telephone calls. I hope in the near future to check out a Video Relay phone and the app for that as well.
They were fascinated to learn how our manual alphabet is dated back at least to the 11th century, about a thousand years ago from Chunny, France where it is documented that Monks used the signs during their vows of silence when they had to perform funerals or other public services. After the first class, I had to preface I did not know why the Monks made vows of Silence, because that was the first thing a student asked about, "Why do they do vows of Silence?"
We discussed how someone born deaf who has never heard before would not know how to speak unless they had classes in speech therapy, and how many Deaf learn to read lips and facial expression and how American Sign Language is their First Language. I myself had speech therapy and I also took speech reading classes where I learned to read lips, facial expressions and to use guess work and intuition while following conversations.
We discussed how to properly speak to a Deaf or hard of hearing person, to be sure that their lips and face are visible, that it is ok to touch a person to get their attention or wave, and it is perfectly acceptable to speak up if a person says, "Please speak up" as long as it is with a respectful tone.
I showed the students my hearing aids, explained they are not perfect, they are just aids and even though many of us wear them, we still can't hear many things clearly. They help us to be aware of sounds near us and ambient noise, though sounds can be difficult to distinguish, or to know what we are hearing. When I explained how my first pair of hearing aids allowed me to hear birds for the first time in many years (when my hearing was then just moderate) some of their faces looked so surprised. It was a great example of how a gradual loss can occur without a person even being aware, and that this may be the case for many of their Grandparents one day. It's ok to let Grandma and Grandpa know they are losing some sounds and to encourage them to use Closed Captions, a Cap Tel phone and to get their hearing tested, perhaps a pair of hearing aids may help.
The most important point I wanted to drive home was that Deaf people can do anything a hearing person can...except hear. We can read tv, make phone calls and there are some great advances in technology that allows this to be possible for us. The question of driving came up, which was a great example of how we can do the same things as "hearing people".
The highlight of their presentation was learning the manual alphabet and how to use the first letter of their name over their heart for the basic "sign name". I also make a clear point of how they should never make up their own sign name, only a Deaf person fluent in ASL should do this. They would not want to end up calling themselves something like "Nose Picker". They laughed at that and shook their heads, some teachers cringed, but it brought home the point of the importance of not making up their own signs. I showed them the Signing Dictionary I use and told them they could ask their librarian if there is one at the library they can check out.
The children now know how to make friends with a Deaf child at the park. They learned to sign, "Hi, Friend, play?" I think that is the most important phrase a child can learn, besides, "I love you".
At the end of the class, for the tv and Closed Caption demonstration, I showed a video clip of Rachel Coleman from Signing Time teaching how to count from one to ten and the "counting song". Many were familiar with the Closed Caption, for others it was the first time "reading tv". They were very interested in the Signing Time DVD. I told them they could check the DVD's out for free from our own local library and watch them at home.
I explained the two most common Sign Languages we use in our country, Signing Exact English (to teach Deaf children how to read) and ASL, conversational Sign Language. I shared how ASL is like reading a book of just pictures, no words were needed, just concepts of the pictures to tell the story.
As I write this, I can't help but wonder if perhaps one of these students today will grow up and become an interpreter or a counselor or teacher working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community? Wouldn't it be lovely to know not only did we bring Deaf awareness to the future generation, but also helped someone discover a future career path?
"Just the Way You Are" Interpreted by lankylistman
This young man does an AMAZING interpretation.
LYRICS:
Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her
She wont believe me
And its so, its so
Sad to think she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
Her nails, her nails
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think its so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Oh you know, you know, you know
Id never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're searching for
Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I say
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
The way you are
The way you are
Girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
LYRICS:
Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her
She wont believe me
And its so, its so
Sad to think she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
Her nails, her nails
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think its so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Oh you know, you know, you know
Id never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're searching for
Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I say
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
The way you are
The way you are
Girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
Sunday, January 8, 2012
"The Way You Make Me Feel" posted by Sean Berdy of Switched At Birth
Apparently, another great ASL video has been booted off of YouTube. I was pleased to have found this Vimeo post by Sean Berdy Himself.
http://vimeo.com/12299277
I wish I knew who the young woman performing with him is. I don't see her name.
http://vimeo.com/12299277
I wish I knew who the young woman performing with him is. I don't see her name.
"Ice Cream Sandwich" Updated Post from Ryan at ClosedCapp.com
Ryan stopped by the blog and announced there is an upgrade on the Android App "Ice Cream Sandwich". I'm an Iphone user, and this isn't available on my phone, however, for Android users, this post is for you! :-) Thank you Ryan for keeping us in the loop. His comment and link are below:
Ryan said...
Hi Xpressive Hands, thanks for posting about Closed Capp, I'm really happy you are excited about it. This has great potential to help a lot of people as the voice recognition gets better and better. The newest version of Android "Ice Cream Sandwich" already has a major upgrade to the service, and it's working great. I assure you all that Google has the highest security possible involving their services, so don't be afraid to test it out. I hope you try it and post about your experiences with Closed Capp, I'd love to read about it. Thanks! - Ryan from ClosedCapp.com http://closedcapp.com/
Saturday, January 7, 2012
"When You Say Nothing At All" Interpreted by Love4Sign
This is beautiful and sweet. Lyrics are below the video.
"When You Say Nothing At All"
"When You Say Nothing At All"
It's amazing
How you can speak
Right to my heart
Without saying a word,
You can light up the dark
Try as I may
I could never explain
What I hear when
You don't say a thing
[CHORUS:]
The smile on your face
Lets me know
That you need me
There's a truth
In your eyes
Saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says
You'll catch me
Whenever I fall
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
All day long
I can hear people
Talking out loud
But when you hold me near
You drown out the crowd
(The crowd)
Try as they may
They could never define
What's been said
Between your
Heart and mine
[Repeat chorus twice]
(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)
The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Let's me know
That you need me
[Repeat chorus]
(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)
The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Let's me know
That you need me
(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)
How you can speak
Right to my heart
Without saying a word,
You can light up the dark
Try as I may
I could never explain
What I hear when
You don't say a thing
[CHORUS:]
The smile on your face
Lets me know
That you need me
There's a truth
In your eyes
Saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says
You'll catch me
Whenever I fall
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
All day long
I can hear people
Talking out loud
But when you hold me near
You drown out the crowd
(The crowd)
Try as they may
They could never define
What's been said
Between your
Heart and mine
[Repeat chorus twice]
(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)
The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Let's me know
That you need me
[Repeat chorus]
(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)
The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Let's me know
That you need me
(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)
Friday, January 6, 2012
"Loquacious That"
I am going to have to free up some time and take this course. It looks absolutely FABULOUS and FUN !! Now, if I can just find that website to sign up.....Captions come up shortly after the teaser starts.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
"Leave Out All the Rest" Interpreted by Michael Scott
Such concise interpreting, and the background is creative. I like watching this man's interpretation. The lyrics are below the video.
"Leave Out All The Rest"
"Leave Out All The Rest"
I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
'Cause no one else cared
After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here?
So if you're asking me
I want you to know
[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
Don't be afraid
I've taken my beating
I've shared what I've made
I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you
So if you're asking me
I want you to know
[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
Forgetting all the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well
Pretending someone else can come
And save me from myself
I can't be who you are
[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
Forgetting all the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well
Pretending someone else can come
And save me from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are
You were so scared
But no one would listen
'Cause no one else cared
After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here?
So if you're asking me
I want you to know
[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
Don't be afraid
I've taken my beating
I've shared what I've made
I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you
So if you're asking me
I want you to know
[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
Forgetting all the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well
Pretending someone else can come
And save me from myself
I can't be who you are
[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
Forgetting all the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well
Pretending someone else can come
And save me from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are
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