Let's REALLY Do Deaf Differently: Re-Inventing & Re-defining Deaf

This is my response to: http://candysweetblog.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/doing-deaf-differently-re-inventing-and-re-defining-differently

I agree with you, Candy regarding "doing deaf differently" however the problem is that doing deaf differently in your blog is close to being indifferent towards the real issue here which is an elephant in our room.
Here is the issue, while AGB philosophy/system of education have turned few deaf children into successful deaf oralists living in the hearing world. (by the way, I am successful Deaf adult living in the hearing world as well so I don't quite understand fully the AGB's definition of "successful" or "living in the hearing world?")
Back to the issue: So many Deaf/HH children are missing out the full scope of education development due to selective language development based on auditory value of the society at infant/toddler age when language development is at its critical stage. These adults are now not able to reach their highest ability as I have been blessed with simply because they are being handed a plate of option: The Oral plate or the ASL plate. As a result this poor elephant is: So many deaf/hh adults are struggling to live fully because they do not have the literacy skills. They end up paying with their lives based on our limited options that we have handed them. We do not really talk about that. Why can't we allow these deaf/hh children have early start in bilingualism as many hearing infants and toddlers are having? The hearing infants/toddlers are being handed a festive plate. Research have proven that ASL is beneficial to hearing infants, how can they not be the same for deaf infants? Worst than that, we are denying them ASL because we believe in this myth: If ASL is introduced then speaking will be hindered. Many deaf children have proven that to be wrong. Again, we do not hear about these stories as we do not hear stories about so many "failed" cochlear implanted children who ended up with little or no language skills.
Let's do deaf differently than what we have been doing the past 200 years: Let's stop the struggle between AGB and Gallaudet! Lets include ALL! Speech, Listening, and Signing... Now that is Doing Deaf differently! :) Giving it ALL to our Deaf and HH children! This is something we have not tried for all children. Let's do it differently this time around and benefit all children! Let's not play Russia roulette with our children: Teach them speech first, see which child will succeed by the definition of AGB. If this child does not speak, then send them off to ASL. This is not how language development work in infants and toddlers. We all know that! This is not "re-inventing and re-defining" deaf, this is doing the same thing for 200 years. Let's really re-invent and re-definite our approach. Give our children the language development they deserve rightfully. Give them ALL education and communication skills and help them ALL succeed! They deserve that from us! I really want to do deaf differently! :)

Kind regards,
DeafMother4ALL, Terrylene Sacchetti
PS: I am doing deaf differently with my children!

Catalene's first hearing test.

Look for photos of her first hearing test soon!
English Translation:
Catalene's first hearing test was last week on Thursday, Nov 13. at John Tracy Clinic (JTC). The school district recommended JTC because they give out free hearing tests so We went there. When we arrived there, I was a bit awkward. I informed them that I am Deaf and I use ASL. ASL is our household language which I communicate and use with my daughter. I did not know how they felt or whether they permitted us to sign ASL on their campus. We entered their building, and they were focused on servicing us. Inside the audiology testing room, I was thinking and hoping to myself that Catalene is hearing. While waiting for confirmation, I noticed how much technology had improved from heavy and bulky headphones to a thin tubes and foams that goes inside the ears easily and comfortably. Catalene was cooperative and enjoyed the hearing test process, playing games. I compared her first hearing test to mine. I had heavy bulky headphones sitting in front of a see through mirror glass. An audiologist disappeared and I had no idea what was happening. She then returned to explain that I am supposed to raise my hand if I heard anything. I did and it was a boring long process of waiting and more waiting before I heard anything again... It was a dazy and bizarre experience for me. Unlike my daughter, for her, it was personal and intimate experience, sitting across from an audiologist at a kid-sized table while the other audiologist was inside the booth working with the sounds. The audiologist at the table played with my girl as the test was being conducted. I was fascinated with how much the "approach" to taking the test had improved, "playing games" was emphasized. She did not feel, "Something is wrong with me" as I had during my time in the 70's. Catalene was eager and pleased to hear sounds, thinking that they were listening games. She did not even think twice about the "hearing test" experience. She was onto playing the next activity. She was not scarred by the clinical experience as I had been. Every time I had a hearing test, I dreaded waiting for sounds that never came. "Was I right? Was I wrong to have my hand up at this second? Did I really heard that?" I was relieved that she did not have the "clinical" scarring experience that I had. Catalene had a nice experience. It was confirmed that she does have a hearing loss, forty DB to 60 DB from "mild to moderate." Which means digital hearing aid would boost her hearing up to almost normal hearing in most of the frequency. I was fine with that and I asked my girl, "what color hearing aid would she want?" She answered, "PINK." I laughed, and knew it would be her answer as it is her favorite color. Yes, of course, the audiologist and others were ready to support me and were confused by my calm reaction. I was silent, and listened then I focused on what to do next. I readily accepted her loss then I discussed on how support her with what services, etc. What would be best for her re: digital hearing aid types, how to get services immediately. I studied, discussed and understood the audiogram. I gathered information to bring to and share with the IEP team. A couple of the staff offered me their hands of comfort, searching for my grief. The audiologist asked me, "How I felt? Was I shocked? Was I surprised?" I appreciated their concerns but I was fine. I am not shocked, really... I should not be surprised after all... After five generation of Deaf family, it is no news! So I was on automatic gear focusing on what to do next for her. They seemed surprised and uncertain by my response but I assured them we were good and we left.

Introduction, meet my lovely daughter, Catalene

English translation of the VLOG signed in ASL:
Hello, I am "Deaf Mother for All". My name is Terrylene. What do I mean by "Deaf Mother for All?" I am for all of these: I support the residual hearing in the child by promoting the auditory training. I support instilling English in a Deaf child by promoting his or her reading and writing skills. I support our precious natural and native language, American Sign Language. I support any parents who want everything for their children, using hearing aids, speech, ASL and even learning other foreign sign languages, as well as reading and writing in foreign languages. Why not? Sure! I believe our Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HH) children can!
I am a Deaf Mother for 17 years now. My son is 17 years old. He is Deaf. He is in high school. He was born hearing, and has a progressive hearing loss to his current status, profound Deaf. He use digital hearing aids, speaks in English, signs in ASL and he reads and writes beautifully. He is fluent in English(orally and written) and ASL.
And, this is Catalene. I will let her introduce herself.
Mom: Say Hello!
Catalene: Hello.
Mom: Who are you?
Catalene: I'm Catalene.
Mom: Oh, Catalene? Want to spell your name? Can you?
Catalene: I can't. I can't.
Mom: You can try?
Catalene: No, Noooo.
Mom: Let me help you, "C"
Catalene: No, no, I don't like it. I'm four! Four.
Mom: Four? How old are you now?
Catlene: Three.
Mom: That's right, Three! When will you become four? (signing Age-Four?)
Catalene: (Signing in numerical) Four. (Then for the first time she discovered the new sign, which she signs perfectly "Age-Four") I'm becoming four, I'm becoming four. (she was fascinated now signing with number three) I am becoming three. (looking at her own hand for three as numerical. NOTE: Observe Catalene's realization of difference in numberical and the concept in numerical signing in verb and utilizing verb to be.)
Mom: Birthday!?
Catalene: Yes, a Birthday cake!
Mom: She born as a hearing child.
Catalene: Yes. (Drinking lemonade)
Mom: Recently, I found out, she has a hearing loss. I want to share my perspective on Deaf Education. Reflections on Deaf Education, reflecting on the light and the shadows of Deaf Education, learning...
(Catalene playing with her lemonade cup and the camera)
Mom: I will explain more later...
(End of Vlog)
*Note: My son, Gianni is studying Latin for three years now. He is reading, writing in Japanese as well as signing in JSL (Japanese Sign Language.) He has desire to learn Italian and LIS (Italian Sign Language) this coming summer.