In this vlog, LaRonda summarizes the personal journey of posting her summer storyblog up on DeafRead and gives thanks to readers. (Transcripts below.)
Transcript:
Hi! PAH! My summer storyblog is finally over! Finished! (Hands waving!)
I thank you from my heart, especially for those of you who continued reading my story from the beginning all the way until it’s end. I was truly humbled by the comments that were left on my posts. Wow! Some were very touching.
While you were leaving your comments, I was actually writing a new chapter about how I responded when other people read my story. I feel like I’m always writing. I just keep on going! You never know… I may add a few more chapters before I publish my book. Hopefully I WILL publish my book! I’ve never published a book before. It’s a new process for me, so please be patient.
People have often asked me how I became deaf. How do I answer that question in one sentence? How can I? Really, I’m still in the process of understanding and analyzing what it means to be a deaf person.
Eh, it’s truly a journey.
We all go through it, individually and in our own unique ways. It doesn’t matter if you were born deaf, suddenly became deaf, or are gradually becoming deaf, we all go through our own personal journeys of looking at what it means to be deaf.
Am I “deaf enough?” YES! Yes.
Am I “deaf enough” to use the word “Deafhood?” In my belly, deep within, I am DEAF. That’s me. Sure!
Was I born deaf? No. Do I use hearing aids? No, not any more. I used them briefly in the first few years after becoming deaf, but then those went too. No longer beneficial. Do I have a CI (Cochlear Implant)? Nope. I didn’t choose that route.
Do I use ASL? Yes! That (ASL) was truly the most powerful choice that made the difference in helping me to accept myself as a deaf person.
Being deaf has been a wonderful experience. Challenging too, and frustrating, yet beautiful.
Anyway, I have enjoyed that you have read my story and I thank you for hanging in there.
I’m out of here for the summer now. It’s my turn to take a well-earned vacation! I’m going to San Diego. Maybe I’ll see Jon Savage while there. Maybe I can convince him to give me a surfing lesson!
I’m looking forward to spending time with my husband Brent and my son Paul.
Thanks everyone! I’ll see you around, later.
Bye. (ILY wave)
Wow! You are so BEAUTIFUL Deaf Woman and Mom!!! Congratulations with your finish writing on your Journey Into Deafhood!!! Hope you will enjoy your trip to SD and hope you will see Jon Savage there!!! OH BOY YEAH GOOD IDEA and GOOD LUCK on your surfing lesson from Jon Savage!!! Looking forward to read or watch on your next vblog!!!
BIG BIG BIG THANK YOU HUGS for your sharing on YOUR Journey Into Deafhood with us on your vblog!!!
Hugs, Shawn
Left by ASL Risen on August 8th, 2007
It’s really over? It has been quite a reading and visual journey to share everything with us! I recall being apprehensive to share w/ you my personal life offline one time, but you have opened up to me (and us) way more than I expected. I’m inspired from you from the spiritual aspects of your worldview. This is something I need to factor in my psychosocial counseling in modern times. Indeed, people became more spiritual after 9/11. So many new questions surfaced. Are we’re doing good enough? Like many, I think we can do better. It’s time for serious action and reform. You’re a unique person that embraced ASL and that’s why I dig you. Nancy Hammons and the late Edna Shipley-Connor included. Give back to the community and give help to those in need to prepare them for their own journey of acceptance and empowerment of deaf self. Good luck with publishing and have fun with your family in San Diego!
Mike
Left by drmzz on August 8th, 2007
Whoo-hoo! LaRonda is a superlative person!
She (LaRonda) has a real respect for everyone’s view and she listens intently to her heart - and I mean intently.
Can’t wait to get the book and read it! |,,|/ ;D \|,,|
Left by deafKathy on August 8th, 2007
Wow, many books behind you!I can see that you are a book worm! Are you taking all of them for your trip?
Enjoy your vacation and come back in a piece …ya “hear” me!
P.S. send me a postcard
Left by Bug on August 8th, 2007
Waving hands!
Take a big break! Enjoy your relaxing vacation!
Left by Jac on August 8th, 2007
Thank you for sharing your story! It was/is a beautiful story. Have a great vacation and give Jon Savage a hug from me.
S.D. is one of my very favorite places.
Left by Belle on August 8th, 2007
LaRonda,
To say you are an inspiration to me…. I’ve read all of your blogs…. some with tears and awe….
Well once you have the book out, I want to be first in line lol.. smile
Thanks so much for sharing your journey!!!
Huggs,
Susan (Ontario, Canada)
Left by S on August 8th, 2007
Our Hands Still Waved for Your heartly book and keep to announce your update and I always take your books in my folder then one day I would read all at a time then I may cry/joy etc Let All DEAf read it as Wonderful .
You have a Greatr Heart !
Left by mule4350 on August 8th, 2007
*sniffle*
Wanna share with my kleenex box?
Been thinking of you today and last nite too.
Diane
Left by Diane on August 8th, 2007
are u serious that it’s over? sad…
u r so beautiful inside and out
ur fan, kira:)
enjoy ur vac with ur sweet hubby and son
Left by kira on August 9th, 2007
Diane,
Can I borrow your kleenex box? The three S’s…..Sniffle, Snort, and Sigh.
I have learned a great deal from you. You can reach out to the people who JUST lost their hearing in this blog. You set the example for accepting for who you are . I believe that you WERE struggled to deal with the people who accepted for who you are and your deafness. I know it was not very easy thing to do but you already prevailed!
I commended you for doing this fantastic job.
White Ghost
Left by White Ghost on August 9th, 2007
Hi Sweet LaRonda…I’m trying to click on your My Story, to get to the first page of your Deaf Journey but I keep getting the most recent blog/vlog that you made. How do I get to the first page of your story, as I want to send it to someone who went deaf a few years ago, still a student at a school where I work at…I want her to read your story…she’s a bookworm and I know she will be inspired with your journey and be encouraged. I can’t get over it on what a wonderful writer you are, you truly inspire me and countless others.
Anyway, back to what I wanted to say is….Is there a way I can get to the first page, so I can send the link to the student’s mother to share with her daughter…instead of clicking “previous”…”previous” …..I tried with DeafRead but for some reason, am unable to get to the first page story you sent to DeafRead. Any advise or suggestion?
Have a wonderful relaxing and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! Hugs!
Left by DeafWoman on September 1st, 2007
DeafWoman,
You or your friend can go to: http://www.earofmyheart.com/wordpress/?p=162
That is the beginning of my summer storyblog. You can click “next” after each post from then on. I need to clean up my sidebar to make this clearer and more accessible to people who want to go back and read it. Thank for letting me know.
PS: I posted this videoclip up on YouTube only because I had not yet uploaded it there as with the rest of my videos. It was an oversight. Just trying to catch up.
Thanks.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on September 1st, 2007