Guest guest Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 I got this from another listserve and thought you all might be interested: ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast nationally. " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour HDTV documentary exploring nearly 200 years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of american history, family life, education, work and community connections from deaf citizens. This information was provided by the Greensboro Rengional Center of the Division of services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Woot! I dont have class that wednesday (march brake and our teacher knows that most of the students have kids of their own....) Im gonna mark that in my day planner, id like to watch it. I get PBS buffalo so hopefully I will be able to see it. Thanks for letting us know bout it. I hope its closed captioned though... you would be surprized how many showes these days are not closed captioned. Specialy on Animal Planet and National Geographic.... sigh.... Chantelle > > I got this from another listserve and thought you all might be interested: > > ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast > nationally. > > " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour HDTV documentary exploring nearly 200 > years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of > american history, family life, education, work and community connections > from deaf citizens. > > This information was provided by the Greensboro Rengional Center of the > Division of services for the deaf and hard of hearing. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Gah I take that back, i have no class the week before. Maby they will rebrodcast it or someone could record the program? Meh. Chantelle > > Woot! I dont have class that wednesday (march brake and our teacher knows > that most of the students have kids of their own....) > > Im gonna mark that in my day planner, id like to watch it. I get PBS > buffalo so hopefully I will be able to see it. > > > Thanks for letting us know bout it. I hope its closed captioned though... > you would be surprized how many showes these days are not closed captioned. > Specialy on Animal Planet and National Geographic.... sigh.... > > > Chantelle > > > > > > > I got this from another listserve and thought you all might be > > interested: > > > > ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast > > nationally. > > > > " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour HDTV documentary exploring nearly 200 > > years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of > > american history, family life, education, work and community connections > > > > from deaf citizens. > > > > This information was provided by the Greensboro Rengional Center of the > > Division of services for the deaf and hard of hearing. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 My husband and I sat and watched this last night. The process of watching the program was fascinating. Our two younger sons wandered in and out, interested by several things they saw - himself was definitely not interested. It is not so much the program itself that had an impact on me, but rather how the program related to, or did not relate to , which impacted me. Viewing the contrast of the fluency and ease of the teens in at the residential signing school and the extreme effort and focus of the teens at the aural/oral school made me painfully aware that he is not fluent or at ease in either setting. To the deaf he is hearing. To the hearing he is deaf. To the medically involved he is intact. To the intact he is medically complicated. To the outsider he is well liked. From the privacy of his world, he is most often alone. He volunteers in the " Circle of Friends " at school (a support group for the special education day class students) and people not acclimated are never sure where fits in. He has a full back brace and tube feeds himself, yet he is part of the support that comes in from the regular ed campus When they break into groups he is often misidentified. He has the hallmark pronunciation/articulation idiosyncrasies of someone with a hearing loss, but the factors which affect his intelligibility mostly do not fall under this umbrella. I could clearly see that to be deaf is not to be handicapped, and to have had so much of 's IEP process covered under the umbrella of Deaf Education was possibly a great disservice to him. Finally, there was one lady who signed without voice, then demonstrated how well she could voice - but said she opted not to because when people heard her speak, they assumed she could hear. She was clear that she could not. Unfortunately is not as clear on this, and would like to believe that he functions as a hearing person, hurt and resentful of needing to repeat himself, being misunderstood or misunderstanding. As moves to college, my husband has wondered if really needs a sign language translator. The universe has a wicked sense of humour and has presented a multitude of examples where sign language clarification has been necessary. In summary, the program really was a clear reminder of how little belongs at times....... where they rejoiced forming community, often, outside of his friends on this list, he has none. Yuka " Through Deaf Eyes " ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast nationally. " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour documentary exploring nearly 200 years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of American history, family life, education, work and community connections from deaf citizens. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 I did watch most of it but I fell asleep, it was very interseting and I even saw my mother in law watching it upstairs. It surprised me because she is not one to watch stuff like that and she doesnt get into Eva's life to much. Crystal and Eva > > My husband and I sat and watched this last night. The process of watching the program was fascinating. Our two younger sons wandered in and out, interested by several things they saw - himself was definitely not interested. It is not so much the program itself that had an impact on me, but rather how the program related to, or did not relate to , which impacted me. Viewing the contrast of the fluency and ease of the teens in at the residential signing school and the extreme effort and focus of the teens at the aural/oral school made me painfully aware that he is not fluent or at ease in either setting. To the deaf he is hearing. To the hearing he is deaf. To the medically involved he is intact. To the intact he is medically complicated. To the outsider he is well liked. From the privacy of his world, he is most often alone. He volunteers in the " Circle of Friends " at school (a support group for the special education day class students) and people not acclimated are never sure where fits in. He has a full back brace and tube feeds himself, yet he is part of the support that comes in from the regular ed campus When they break into groups he is often misidentified. He has the hallmark pronunciation/articulation idiosyncrasies of someone with a hearing loss, but the factors which affect his intelligibility mostly do not fall under this umbrella. I could clearly see that to be deaf is not to be handicapped, and to have had so much of 's IEP process covered under the umbrella of Deaf Education was possibly a great disservice to him. > > Finally, there was one lady who signed without voice, then demonstrated how well she could voice - but said she opted not to because when people heard her speak, they assumed she could hear. She was clear that she could not. Unfortunately is not as clear on this, and would like to believe that he functions as a hearing person, hurt and resentful of needing to repeat himself, being misunderstood or misunderstanding. As moves to college, my husband has wondered if really needs a sign language translator. The universe has a wicked sense of humour and has presented a multitude of examples where sign language clarification has been necessary. > > In summary, the program really was a clear reminder of how little belongs at times....... where they rejoiced forming community, often, outside of his friends on this list, he has none. > > Yuka > > " Through Deaf Eyes " > > > > > ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast > nationally. > > " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour documentary exploring nearly 200 > years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of > American history, family life, education, work and community connections > from deaf citizens. > > > . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Yuka, yes yes yes - so many times I thought similar things about Kennedy - how she's in the middle of both worlds (actually more than 2 worlds). One thing that hit home particularly hard was the woman (same woman you mentioned about speaking so well but choosing not to because people " assumed " she could hear fine) - when she said she was so EXHAUSTED at the end of the day from working so hard to " hear " . I think that is Kennedy sometimes with school and they really, truly, deep down do NOT get it at school. I ache for her sometimes. L > > My husband and I sat and watched this last night. The process of > watching the program was fascinating. Our two younger sons wandered in and > out, interested by several things they saw - himself was definitely > not interested. It is not so much the program itself that had an impact on > me, but rather how the program related to, or did not relate to , which > impacted me. Viewing the contrast of the fluency and ease of the teens in at > the residential signing school and the extreme effort and focus of the teens > at the aural/oral school made me painfully aware that he is not fluent or at > ease in either setting. To the deaf he is hearing. To the hearing he is > deaf. To the medically involved he is intact. To the intact he is medically > complicated. To the outsider he is well liked. From the privacy of his > world, he is most often alone. He volunteers in the " Circle of Friends " at > school (a support group for the special education day class students) and > people not acclimated are never sure where fits in. He has a full back > brace and tube feeds himself, yet he is part of the support that comes in > from the regular ed campus When they break into groups he is often > misidentified. He has the hallmark pronunciation/articulation idiosyncrasies > of someone with a hearing loss, but the factors which affect his > intelligibility mostly do not fall under this umbrella. I could clearly see > that to be deaf is not to be handicapped, and to have had so much of 's > IEP process covered under the umbrella of Deaf Education was possibly a > great disservice to him. > > Finally, there was one lady who signed without voice, then demonstrated > how well she could voice - but said she opted not to because when people > heard her speak, they assumed she could hear. She was clear that she could > not. Unfortunately is not as clear on this, and would like to believe > that he functions as a hearing person, hurt and resentful of needing to > repeat himself, being misunderstood or misunderstanding. As moves to > college, my husband has wondered if really needs a sign language > translator. The universe has a wicked sense of humour and has presented a > multitude of examples where sign language clarification has been necessary. > > In summary, the program really was a clear reminder of how little > belongs at times....... where they rejoiced forming community, often, > outside of his friends on this list, he has none. > > Yuka > > " Through Deaf Eyes " > > ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast > nationally. > > " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour documentary exploring nearly 200 > years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of > American history, family life, education, work and community connections > from deaf citizens. > > . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Oh Yuka, I too watch most of Through Deaf Eyes. You know before went to the deaf school I was warned by some hearing teachers and by some deaf to be prepared for the possibility that would not be accepted by deaf because of his other challenges. He sometimes seems to be caught in a neither land. Even among our own families allot just don't get it. Some still treat him like the cute little kid. has an Aunt and Uncle who I almost have to get into a fight with just so I can interpret for . When I watch from a distance I can see that they are talking at him, around him, over him and he hasn't a clue to what is going on. I try to step in for 's sake and they tell me to go away they're doing just fine. Because is smiling and nodding his head they acually think he is understanding their speech no matter how many time I have explained about his being deaf. doesn't even like to attend family functions outside us because he only has me to talk with. He like doesn't really have friendships. I worry so much about what will happen when I am gone. Yes he has the house, staff, Dad, his sister but I have to say I seem like his best friend. I'm where he comes to share everything that matters. I'm really hoping he makes some connections at the conference. So far he is really enjoying the emails. I haven't gotten him onto the list because I'm afraid the volume and content of the emails will overwelm him. I feel like everyone here will be the only ones who can really understand what I want for verses what I see him having. is loved by many many people but he is truely known and understood by a few. mom to (31) > > My husband and I sat and watched this last night. The process of watching the program was fascinating. Our two younger sons wandered in and out, interested by several things they saw - himself was definitely not interested. It is not so much the program itself that had an impact on me, but rather how the program related to, or did not relate to , which impacted me. Viewing the contrast of the fluency and ease of the teens in at the residential signing school and the extreme effort and focus of the teens at the aural/oral school made me painfully aware that he is not fluent or at ease in either setting. To the deaf he is hearing. To the hearing he is deaf. To the medically involved he is intact. To the intact he is medically complicated. To the outsider he is well liked. From the privacy of his world, he is most often alone. He volunteers in the " Circle of Friends " at school (a support group for the special education day class students) and people not acclimated are never sure where fits in. He has a full back brace and tube feeds himself, yet he is part of the support that comes in from the regular ed campus When they break into groups he is often misidentified. He has the hallmark pronunciation/articulation idiosyncrasies of someone with a hearing loss, but the factors which affect his intelligibility mostly do not fall under this umbrella. I could clearly see that to be deaf is not to be handicapped, and to have had so much of 's IEP process covered under the umbrella of Deaf Education was possibly a great disservice to him. > > Finally, there was one lady who signed without voice, then demonstrated how well she could voice - but said she opted not to because when people heard her speak, they assumed she could hear. She was clear that she could not. Unfortunately is not as clear on this, and would like to believe that he functions as a hearing person, hurt and resentful of needing to repeat himself, being misunderstood or misunderstanding. As moves to college, my husband has wondered if really needs a sign language translator. The universe has a wicked sense of humour and has presented a multitude of examples where sign language clarification has been necessary. > > In summary, the program really was a clear reminder of how little belongs at times....... where they rejoiced forming community, often, outside of his friends on this list, he has none. > > Yuka > > " Through Deaf Eyes " > > > > > ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast > nationally. > > " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour documentary exploring nearly 200 > years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of > American history, family life, education, work and community connections > from deaf citizens. > > > . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Yuka, , . I watched just the end of the show. I almost missed it-but I will be watching for a repeat so I can see it all. It was so well done. And, yes, I had many of the same thoughts as you guys. I'm having one of those tired out, worn down days so it's not a good day to try to reply to your posts which brought tears to my eyes. I'm not going to go on and on - but I did want to thank you all for sharing your responses. You said what I feel. Michele W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Michele I recorded it onto DVD - want me to mail you a copy? Lis > > Yuka, , . > > I watched just the end of the show. I almost missed it-but I will be > watching for a repeat so I can see it all. It was so well done. And, yes, > I had many of the same thoughts as you guys. I'm having one of those tired > out, worn down days so it's not a good day to try to reply to your posts > which brought tears to my eyes. I'm not going to go on and on - but I did > want to thank you all for sharing your responses. You said what I feel. > > Michele W > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Yuka, I watched this last night with your eyes and my having-lived-in-the-deaf-world eyes. First, I thought it was a beautifully done thing--well organized, good chronology, etc. Many of the (older) people are people I know or worked with so that was a pleasure. I attended Gallaudet for my graduate work and spent many summers there in the Family Learning Vacations for families with deafblind children (mostly Usher syndrome,but one Rubella) so the " Deaf " part was famiiar and comfortable and UNcomfortable at the same time. My " Yuka " eyes saw everything you described. It is so hard to see this world that we want our kids to be included in--by Sign Language identification--and that works for communication. But what about the social and developmental parts? The " other stuff " --medical, visual, sensory--are things " outsiders " don't get. We know that that is exactly where many of our kids should be--the " Deaf " world. But will the Deaf world accept them? Sometimes. But, as you said and I think that said, will the Deaf accept them? It has been my life experience that " It depends " continues to be the line. It depends on their sign fluency; it depends on how they assimilate into the Deaf world; it depends on how they " think " . This is a " conversation " I have had my ENTIRE life--how do my deafblind students fit into the Deaf community? In MA, the Deaf community has had it's ups and downs regarding the deafblind. During the height of the Rubella epidemic (mid to late 60's in this country) it was good--our students were accepted pretty easily. Then, as politics change, the deafblind people were not so accepted. Now, it seems that the fewer differences you have, the easier the acceptance ino the Deaf community. I have no answers--I work at this everyday. I feel your pain and questioning--and those questions that will continue to arise regarding the littlest members here. Would I still advise sign language and working to be within deaf social groups? YUP. Will it be easy? NOPE. But it is my fervent hope that as these young ones here begin to venture out and toward the Deaf community via college or social lives, that the Deaf community will see exactly what they can learn and love about those not quite like them. pam Re: " Through Deaf Eyes " My husband and I sat and watched this last night. The process of watching the program was fascinating. Our two younger sons wandered in and out, interested by several things they saw - himself was definitely not interested. It is not so much the program itself that had an impact on me, but rather how the program related to, or did not relate to , which impacted me. Viewing the contrast of the fluency and ease of the teens in at the residential signing school and the extreme effort and focus of the teens at the aural/oral school made me painfully aware that he is not fluent or at ease in either setting. To the deaf he is hearing. To the hearing he is deaf. To the medically involved he is intact. To the intact he is medically complicated. To the outsider he is well liked. From the privacy of his world, he is most often alone. He volunteers in the " Circle of Friends " at school (a support group for the special education day class students) and people not acclimated are never sure where fits in. He has a full back brace and tube feeds himself, yet he is part of the support that comes in from the regular ed campus When they break into groups he is often misidentified. He has the hallmark pronunciation/articulation idiosyncrasies of someone with a hearing loss, but the factors which affect his intelligibility mostly do not fall under this umbrella. I could clearly see that to be deaf is not to be handicapped, and to have had so much of 's IEP process covered under the umbrella of Deaf Education was possibly a great disservice to him. Finally, there was one lady who signed without voice, then demonstrated how well she could voice - but said she opted not to because when people heard her speak, they assumed she could hear. She was clear that she could not. Unfortunately is not as clear on this, and would like to believe that he functions as a hearing person, hurt and resentful of needing to repeat himself, being misunderstood or misunderstanding. As moves to college, my husband has wondered if really needs a sign language translator. The universe has a wicked sense of humour and has presented a multitude of examples where sign language clarification has been necessary. In summary, the program really was a clear reminder of how little belongs at times....... where they rejoiced forming community, often, outside of his friends on this list, he has none. Yuka " Through Deaf Eyes " ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast nationally. " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour documentary exploring nearly 200 years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of American history, family life, education, work and community connections from deaf citizens. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Michele said:- it is harder to bring someone in who uses sign language to a blind school! -- An instant classic! Someone should adopt that as their signature line. lol I'm glad you're still wrapped in your sense of humor. ;-) in Ma. ************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Pam- Well said. We've been involved with IL School for the Deaf since Aubrie was a baby. At times, I feel like we don't fit in there. But, they have also been one of our greatest supporters and allies all along the way. Now that Aubrie attends there, she is very well-accepted. In IL, I think they have a harder time with behavior problems than other learning issues or sensory impairments. It seems like our School for the Deaf does a better job of accepting those with other impairments than the School for the Visually Impaired does. But - it is harder to bring someone in who uses sign language to a blind school! From what I've heard on the list over the years, some schools for the deaf are very " vanilla deaf " and don't accept anyone with other differences. I'm glad ours is not like that. Sometimes I wonder how much decreasing enrollment has to do with that acceptance. More and more deaf children are being educated in regular classrooms which means less are going off to the state residential schools. With empty desks, perhaps they will begin to accept more kids with other issues beyond hearing impairment. That's just the deaf schools. Deaf culture and society is another thing entirely. Although it makes sense to me that the Deaf culture of a state could be influenced by the deaf school's attitude there. I think it was always remain true that our kids feel most at home and accepted by their CHARGE peers. I hope that they will all feel accepted in their greater communities by all groups, but the real " sigh of relief " acceptance will come within our own CHARGE family. Isn't that what it means to be family? Michele _____ From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of pamela.ryan@... Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 9:11 PM To: CHARGE Subject: RE: " Through Deaf Eyes " Yuka, I watched this last night with your eyes and my having-lived-in-the-deaf-world eyes. First, I thought it was a beautifully done thing--well organized, good chronology, etc. Many of the (older) people are people I know or worked with so that was a pleasure. I attended Gallaudet for my graduate work and spent many summers there in the Family Learning Vacations for families with deafblind children (mostly Usher syndrome,but one Rubella) so the " Deaf " part was famiiar and comfortable and UNcomfortable at the same time. My " Yuka " eyes saw everything you described. It is so hard to see this world that we want our kids to be included in--by Sign Language identification--and that works for communication. But what about the social and developmental parts? The " other stuff " --medical, visual, sensory--are things " outsiders " don't get. We know that that is exactly where many of our kids should be--the " Deaf " world. But will the Deaf world accept them? Sometimes. But, as you said and I think that said, will the Deaf accept them? It has been my life experience that " It depends " continues to be the line. It depends on their sign fluency; it depends on how they assimilate into the Deaf world; it depends on how they " think " . This is a " conversation " I have had my ENTIRE life--how do my deafblind students fit into the Deaf community? In MA, the Deaf community has had it's ups and downs regarding the deafblind. During the height of the Rubella epidemic (mid to late 60's in this country) it was good--our students were accepted pretty easily. Then, as politics change, the deafblind people were not so accepted. Now, it seems that the fewer differences you have, the easier the acceptance ino the Deaf community. I have no answers--I work at this everyday. I feel your pain and questioning--and those questions that will continue to arise regarding the littlest members here. Would I still advise sign language and working to be within deaf social groups? YUP. Will it be easy? NOPE. But it is my fervent hope that as these young ones here begin to venture out and toward the Deaf community via college or social lives, that the Deaf community will see exactly what they can learn and love about those not quite like them. pam Re: " Through Deaf Eyes " My husband and I sat and watched this last night. The process of watching the program was fascinating. Our two younger sons wandered in and out, interested by several things they saw - himself was definitely not interested. It is not so much the program itself that had an impact on me, but rather how the program related to, or did not relate to , which impacted me. Viewing the contrast of the fluency and ease of the teens in at the residential signing school and the extreme effort and focus of the teens at the aural/oral school made me painfully aware that he is not fluent or at ease in either setting. To the deaf he is hearing. To the hearing he is deaf. To the medically involved he is intact. To the intact he is medically complicated. To the outsider he is well liked. From the privacy of his world, he is most often alone. He volunteers in the " Circle of Friends " at school (a support group for the special education day class students) and people not acclimated are never sure where fits in. He has a full back brace and tube feeds himself, yet he is part of the support that comes in from the regular ed campus When they break into groups he is often misidentified. He has the hallmark pronunciation/articulation idiosyncrasies of someone with a hearing loss, but the factors which affect his intelligibility mostly do not fall under this umbrella. I could clearly see that to be deaf is not to be handicapped, and to have had so much of 's IEP process covered under the umbrella of Deaf Education was possibly a great disservice to him. Finally, there was one lady who signed without voice, then demonstrated how well she could voice - but said she opted not to because when people heard her speak, they assumed she could hear. She was clear that she could not. Unfortunately is not as clear on this, and would like to believe that he functions as a hearing person, hurt and resentful of needing to repeat himself, being misunderstood or misunderstanding. As moves to college, my husband has wondered if really needs a sign language translator. The universe has a wicked sense of humour and has presented a multitude of examples where sign language clarification has been necessary. In summary, the program really was a clear reminder of how little belongs at times....... where they rejoiced forming community, often, outside of his friends on this list, he has none. Yuka " Through Deaf Eyes " ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast nationally. " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour documentary exploring nearly 200 years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of American history, family life, education, work and community connections from deaf citizens. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Michele, It is nice to hear that your long time feelings about the IL school for the deaf are holding steady. YOu have always said that you felt their support. I agree with you regarding acceptance and schools for the blind v. schools for the deaf. I think the communication has a lot to do with that and acceptance seems immediate sometimes based on that commonality. And, as you said, as kids then try to assimilate into the larger deaf community, problems arise. I wish I had something more to say, but said it all. I am glad that it is working so well-your statement about the deaf school attitude affecting the further deaf community--very astute! I am hoping that Aubrie will continue to be the messenger of all things good and others can see that everyone is part of the family, as you say. xo pam Re: " Through Deaf Eyes " My husband and I sat and watched this last night. The process of watching the program was fascinating. Our two younger sons wandered in and out, interested by several things they saw - himself was definitely not interested. It is not so much the program itself that had an impact on me, but rather how the program related to, or did not relate to , which impacted me. Viewing the contrast of the fluency and ease of the teens in at the residential signing school and the extreme effort and focus of the teens at the aural/oral school made me painfully aware that he is not fluent or at ease in either setting. To the deaf he is hearing. To the hearing he is deaf. To the medically involved he is intact. To the intact he is medically complicated. To the outsider he is well liked. From the privacy of his world, he is most often alone. He volunteers in the " Circle of Friends " at school (a support group for the special education day class students) and people not acclimated are never sure where fits in. He has a full back brace and tube feeds himself, yet he is part of the support that comes in from the regular ed campus When they break into groups he is often misidentified. He has the hallmark pronunciation/articulation idiosyncrasies of someone with a hearing loss, but the factors which affect his intelligibility mostly do not fall under this umbrella. I could clearly see that to be deaf is not to be handicapped, and to have had so much of 's IEP process covered under the umbrella of Deaf Education was possibly a great disservice to him. Finally, there was one lady who signed without voice, then demonstrated how well she could voice - but said she opted not to because when people heard her speak, they assumed she could hear. She was clear that she could not. Unfortunately is not as clear on this, and would like to believe that he functions as a hearing person, hurt and resentful of needing to repeat himself, being misunderstood or misunderstanding. As moves to college, my husband has wondered if really needs a sign language translator. The universe has a wicked sense of humour and has presented a multitude of examples where sign language clarification has been necessary. In summary, the program really was a clear reminder of how little belongs at times....... where they rejoiced forming community, often, outside of his friends on this list, he has none. Yuka " Through Deaf Eyes " ON MARCH 21, 2007 ON PBS AT 9PM " THROUGH DEAF EYES " will broadcast nationally. " Through Deaf Eyes " is a two-hour documentary exploring nearly 200 years of deaf life in America. There will be shared experiences of American history, family life, education, work and community connections from deaf citizens. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.