Pam Re: Through Deaf Eyes

[Guest guest]

Oh Pam-

Thank you so much. Not only for meeting me where my heart is, affirming my

sadness and still seeing good in it - but for also showing me the light -

casting my gaze further - to the greater implications and the paths which might

lead from it.....for simultaneously cradling my sadness, teaching and stretching

me and giving me a greater awareness that leads to direction, action and hope.

We are incredibly looking forward to meeting you at the conference, and I am

greatly excited about what may glean about himself when he sees himself

through your response to him.

with great love-

yuka

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 familiar

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

.

[Guest guest]

Yuka,

You make my heart and soul soar. I can't wait to meet you either, I am eager to

see the woman behind the most incredible words and thoughts and who more often

than not, makes me sigh with calm.

And !!! who can't wait to meet him!!! I am so looking forward to it and to

be able to talk with him and experience him " in the flesh " .

love,

pam

Pam Re: " Through Deaf Eyes "

Oh Pam-

Thank you so much. Not only for meeting me where my heart is, affirming my

sadness and still seeing good in it - but for also showing me the light -

casting my gaze further - to the greater implications and the paths which might

lead from it.....for simultaneously cradling my sadness, teaching and stretching

me and giving me a greater awareness that leads to direction, action and hope.

We are incredibly looking forward to meeting you at the conference, and I am

greatly excited about what may glean about himself when he sees himself

through your response to him.

with great love-

yuka

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 familiar

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

.