The Ear of My Heart » 2007

Archive for August, 2007

My Journey Into Deafhood: Gally Daze ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 5th, 2007

(Ch. 57 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

While attending Gallaudet in 1984, I became more fluent in ASL and more acclimated to the environment and culture of my Deaf peers. I was able to clearly follow my signing instructors and classmates, and participate fully in all my college courses. I felt on top of my game! I joined in deep, philosophical discussions during class and took part in comical or heated debates with acquaintances in the dorms where I lived. I hung out with friends in the cafeteria amid the loud, visual noise of waving hands, flashing lights and vibrating tables, and laughed at the lively, animated hazing rituals of newbies entering Deaf frats or sororities.

My Journey Into Deafhood: My Gallaudet Adventure ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 5th, 2007

(Ch. 56 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

Photo by:”digitalkatie”

While taking sign language classes and studying Deaf culture, I learned about Gallaudet College (now called Gallaudet University). I discovered that Gallaudet had a special visiting student program, which would allow students to attend for one semester as they studied the language and culture of Deaf people. As the idea presented itself, it began to feel right for me, so I decided to apply. In January, 1984, I was admitted to Gallaudet for the 5 month spring semester. It was my call to adventure!

Visual Meditations That Can Be Enjoyed By Deaf People ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 4th, 2007

Finally, a meditation DVD designed with Deaf people in mind! InnerSight, hosted by Pam Cavazos, who has been a sign language interpreter for over 20 years, is a meditation DVD for Deaf people. This relaxing and visually attractive DVD is peacefully presented in ASL with voice-over and captions, so it’s accessible to everyone in your [...]

My Journey Into Deafhood: “SHHHHHH!!!” ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 4th, 2007

(Ch. 54 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

Photo by: Steve Wall

Having had to surrender my dreams of a career in music, I now had no direction for my future. My college adviser kept asking me when I was going to declare a major, but I had no clue what I was going to do with my life. When my family or friends would ask me what my plans were, I couldn’t say. It was not so much that I couldn’t come up with ideas. It was that I felt afraid to invest in a dream, not knowing if life would throw me another curve and whisk my dreams away…

My Journey Into Deafhood: The House Clinic ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 4th, 2007

(Ch. 53 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

It was hard to say goodbye to Brent that late December when he had to return for his next semester of college in Oregon. We would be apart again for at least 5 more months unless Brent was able to return home during his Spring break for a visit. He would only have a week off for his break, and while that sounded wonderful, logistically the drive home and back again would take anywhere from 2-4 days, leaving very little time to actually be together. While a visit was possible, it wasn’t for certain.

Photo by: John Varghese

Yet, when Brent received my letter in January, telling him of a sudden, unexpected, additional significant drop in my hearing, and how frightened I was, he made definite plans to come home that Spring, regardless of how much time we would have together. He also sent me a basket of flowers to lift my spirits, and he wrote me often, letting me know that he was thinking of me constantly and that I was loved.

My Journey Into Deafhood: Long-Distance Lovers ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 3rd, 2007

(Ch. 52 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

Photo by: “Sarah”

In late August, as the dog days of summer waned and the dandelions roots grew fat, it came time for Brent to return to his college up in the Pacific Northwest. Sadly, even though our families’ homes were only 5 miles apart, we both lived and attended colleges in separate states. Brent was a sophomore at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and I was then a sophomore at Fresno City College in California. We would soon begin a long distance relationship that spanned 3 ½ years.

My Journey Into Deafhood: My Heart Can Sing ~

Posted by LaRonda on August 3rd, 2007

(Ch. 51 of my storyblog of my journey into Deafhood…)

Photo by: “psoup216″

It was late and I was bleary-eyed from trying to lip-read Brent for hours. I finally acknowledged my communication limits and called it a night. If my hearing were normal, I would have had us lie back on the floor next to each other, and talk into the wee hours into the morning with our eyes closed. I used to do this on occasion, on the phone with my teenage friends while my parents slept.