Re: Digest Number 27

[Guest guest]

>Going that route, though, takes stamina, tenacity, and the money to

>front the lawyer and witnesses. I have been talking about establishing

>a national Deaf Child's Educational Legal Defense Fund. Think it could

>fly?

I know I could use something like that. I get so tired of the BS from the

school's saying so if you don't like it take us to court. I don't have the

funds to get an attorney and I just get worn out from the effort.

>of d/Deaf/hh children versus public educational agencies (though high

>school.) That's a BIG dream, and I become exhausted just thinking

>about it, but it's been simmering on my back burner for quite a while.

If there is anything I can do to help you get this off the ground just let

me know.

>happen. Funny that you should write this post now. Last night, driving

home, I

>made the final decision that I was proceeding with this on my own.

>

>

>PS: The planning for this organization does include contingency fee

>representation. The parents will only pay attorneys fees if they win. All

>proceeds will be used to fund subsequent legal actions. Fees will be

charged at

>prevailing rates. I've got to find out if this is allowed and/or under

what

>conditions.

>Ezekiel's hearing loss is moderate - I guess he hears at about 50 dec.

though

>in the ABR he responded at 60. Not sure which is the more accurate

measure.

>He is almost 15 months old.

Kirsten

You don't say whether he has a conductive loss, a neuro sensory loss or a

mixed loss. Do they have any idea of the cause, could it be a progressive

loss? I ask this because it may enter into the decision making about what

you want to do for communication.

My daughter has a loss that averages from 55 to 60 dB. She has a mixed

fluctuating loss that may be progressive. At times she has a loss of up to

90 dB. With a loss like this he will be oral. A loss such as you describe

has a significant education impact. I pushed for Total Communication (TC)

for my daughter. I have met too many deaf and HoH adults who are now

struggling to learn sign because they went the total oral route as a child

and wish they had been taught sign. Like any language, it is easier to

learn while young. Petya is doing much better than I am.

She doesn't use sign all of the time. But in situations where she is not

wearing her hearing aids, swimming, bath, ear infections, or in poor

acoustical situations it is invaluable for her. This is my opinion and what

has worked for my family. There are others here who have gone the oral

route and I hope that they will also tell you what has worked for them.

>One more thing, I caught a bit of a discussion the other day regarding road

>warning signs - where does one purchase these, or do you have to go through

the

>town to get them put up? I am especially worried because I have a circular

>driveway which people use frequently to turn around in, though luckily it's

not

>a very busy street.

Call the roads department in the county or city you live in. If you don't

have the right office someone will be able to tell you who you need to get

in touch with. You will not need to purchase the sign.

Barb