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Archive for August 6th, 2007

My Journey Into Deafhood: Parenting Without Sound: The Awe and the Awful ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 6th, 2007

(Ch. 61 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

While I firmly believe in the ability for deaf parents to be good parents and raise healthy children, life as a deaf parent is not without its scary moments. One came when my son was just 3.

We were living in a small cottage isolated on a mountainside in the hills of Fairfax, north of San Francisco. Our cottage was so small that we had to share a bedroom with our son downstairs. My husband was away at work. I had just put my son down in his own bed for his nap and crawled into my bed nearby to catch a few winks as well.

My Journey Into Deafhood: Hearing Children of Deaf Parents Adapt ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 6th, 2007

(Ch. 60 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

Photo by: Erik van der Neut

Deaf parents have been successfully parenting for ages. The majority of us have done so without adaptive baby care equipment or professional guidance. Being deaf does not prevent a person from becoming a parent. Nor does it mean that our parenting will be deficient or not up to standards. Hearing people should take note: We, deaf parents, learn quickly how to build on our personal and family strengths. We, as well as our spouses and children, learn to adapt.

My Journey Into Deafhood: Parenting With The Ear Of My Heart ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 6th, 2007

(Ch. 59 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

I became deaf at the age of 17 as the result of side effects of ototoxic medications used to treat a rare, life-threatening illness called Toxic Shock Syndrome. I’m glad survived this ordeal. I got to fall in love, find a career, and become a parent.

Photo by: “Shula”

My husband and I got a late start in the baby making business. We were together for almost 14 years before we began to settle and make our family. Because of our late start, we have had to accept that our family would be a small one, kind of like the Three Bears - cozy and loving. We give great thanks for the blessing of our only son, Paul.