MOTHER FATHER DEAF DAY was established in 1996 by CODA [Children of Deaf Adults] International, an organization that focuses on hearing children of deaf adults. Each year, the last Sunday in April is set aside for hearing children [and the deaf community] to honor Deaf parents and recognize the gifts of culture and language they have received from them.
The 3 video clips below pay a tribute to Mother Father Deaf Day as LaRonda and her friend Linda share some stories as deaf moms with hearing children. Deaf v/bloggers are invited and encouraged to share KODA/CODA stories this week, or experiences you have had as D/deaf or hard of hearing parents raising hearing children (i.e.: heartwarming tales, humorous escapades or scary moments) in honor of this special day (April 29th, 2007).
Video # 1: (Same information as written in the text above the video clip.)
Video # 2: (Transcript for this clip? Click here. I wrote a blog post on these stories earlier.)
Video # 3: (In the first part, Linda tells about her then 4 yr. old son hiding her hearing aid in his toy box after he was reprimanded as a child. It was his way to get revenge on mom. The second part, Linda shares a lip-reading challenge with the words ghost, coat and goat while her young son was in the bath telling her he saw a goat. When she didn’t understand, her son very cutely acted like a goat so she could understand. Made her chuckle.)
I do wish I have webcam… however thinking of getting one soon. I have something to to tell you about my 12 years old daughter. It happened when she was three or four during the fall time, and she slept walk. Wow, I didn’t know she sleeps and walk. Ohh, big trouble especially we’re deaf! She happened to walk out of the foyer and it snowed that day. She didn’t have her shoes on which was good thing because if no snow, she’ll probably keep walking but with the snow, it made her stop due to too cold for her to walk and probably woke her up or say forget it. Later on that day, we found the door was pened and two little foot prints. What we learn is now we have motion sensor to wake us up or to watch our children and it alerts us as to see the light knowing someone is out there! That’s our story.
Left by jackie on April 25th, 2007
Hi Jackie. I never thought about a motion sensor light. What a good idea! I’ll share that tip with parents in my Parenting Classes that I teach. Thanks for your story!
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on April 25th, 2007
Hi LaRonda,
Thank you for sharing your personal stories with us, you may want to contact Metro Maryland KODA (kids of deaf adults) at http://www.mmkoda.org and contact some people to see if maybe they could post your vlog to the koda community. This way, you will reach out to more people and they can add more comments.
We always had Mother Father Deaf picnics every year since its implemention of MM KODA in 2000. Every year we would hire catering company to bring food to us and we would also find entertainment for families alike.
I will try to think of stories that happened to my family, right now my mind is blank as I had an extremely busy day, ugh! But thanks for bringing it up, this is greatly appreciated!!
Left by michele on April 25th, 2007
Thanks Michele. I sent them a note. Will see if they can post something.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on April 25th, 2007
LaRonda, thank you so much for sharing your two stories with Paul, I loved watching them.
I am glad that he was safe in the first story… and the second story, so beautiful! you have a wonderful boy!!!!
Linda, I enjoyed watching your story about the hearing aid in the toy box, that was so funny!! thank you for sharing
Left by Susan on April 26th, 2007
Thanks for watching Susan. We appreciate your comments.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on April 26th, 2007
LaRonda, that was a beautiful story about your boy getting lost and also while watching Riverdance… I had goosebumps.. thanks to the guardian angels. I always check your vlogs or blogs as they always very inspiring as I’m very spiritual person. keep posting more vlogs.. wink
Linda, hahaha that was a good story about hearing aid in the toybox hahaha.. It’s sure great to see ya on vlog and blogs and looking great as always since I was in Calif about 2 years ago (the time flies wow).. Can’t believe Michael is now 16 wowo… better watch out, I may be back to either SF or Calif for a vacation or you never know as I surely miss Calif. Hope all is well with you and family.. huggss
S. (Ontario,Canada)
Left by S. on April 26th, 2007
April 27, 2007
Happy Mother-Father Deaf Day to all Deaf Parents of hearing children. What wonderful stories LaRonda and Linda shared with us readers about their experience with their hearing children. Most deaf parents have great parenting skills. I see this from some of my former deaf students who now parents themselves. I am seeing that many CODA children, now adults, became successful in their chosen profession.
Left by Irene Tunanidas on April 27th, 2007
I found your blog while doing research. I am a CODA and thank you for celebrating mother father deaf day! I will continue to look at your blog for new posts. I will be using your blog as a reference for a friend who is losing her hearing. When the time is right, I think your word will have a healing effect. Thank you.
Left by Lisa on June 1st, 2007