(Transcript below)

Transcript:

Hello. It’s Saturday, and I have a little bit of free time. I decided to spend some time reading through the posts on DeafRead. As I read through them, I saw a few that were kind of interesting. Yet, listening to my intuitive voice within, I found myself heading over to DeafRead Extra — you know, the page the is hidden behind the front page on DeafRead.

While there at Extra, I began reading through the blogs and vlogs, and before I knew it, I was captivated by how many really good posts they had there! I didn’t realize. I usually just take a quick look at the front page on DeafRead and stop to read a few posts that capture my attention. I don’t give enough time or attention to those posts on DeafRead Extra.

But now, I realize I’ve been missing gems of wisdom there.

For example, Deaf Extra has topics like “Summer Gardens” with beautiful pictures that touch the soul and make you feel calm and restful by just looking at them. It’s nice. Some posts talk about “smiles” while spreading a little heartshine. Other posts there talk about issues like “love, marriage and patience.” There are posts expressing poetry and creativity, while others explore faith, faith, religion, personal beliefs and the great beyond.

They have posts on Extra about “rites of passage,” “child growth spurts,” and things that are important in life. I’m in awe and I realize that sometimes, the posts on the front page of DeafRead, don’t always give my heart what it needs. Don’t misunderstand, deaf issues are very important to me, to be sure, but I must also find balance.

I encourage all of you to go visit DeafRead Extra. Go often. There are certainly many good things there; awesome posts from d/Deaf people. It’s a place where we deafies put our thoughts, bits of wisdom, feelings and beliefs. I’m impressed! It makes me question where I have been spending my time. My focus has been so narrow, on Deaf issues mostly. I need to shift gears now and then. There are many other aspects of daily life!

So, once again, when your head becomes too full of Deaf issues, I encourage you to take a break and go see what’s over on DeafRead Extra where you’ll find a little heartshine.

Bye! (ILY wave)

ASL - Sign Language, Deaf, Miscellaneous, Video Clips | 12 Comments »

Join LaRonda as she compares present times at DeafRead with “The Time of the Bear.” A time of hibernation. A time to seek balance and be rejuvenated by the source of all life. LaRonda plays her peace drum to honor this sacred time of aligning ourselves with bear energy. May we all find the balance needed to reenter and continue successfully in the v/blogoshpere.

Transcript:

Hi. Pretty cute, huh? That’s my son’s bear. I just noticed it laying there and it got me thinking and mulling things over. You know what? I think that DeafRead, in it’s present time, is going through “The Time of the Bear.”

It’s true. How, you may ask?

You know, when we first notice a bear, we are at first struck with its’ large size, strength and power. Our tendency is to focus on those physical attributes. That stuffed teddy bear is cute and sweet, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m thinking about the big bears, and what stands out when we notice them. When we see them, we are often awe-struck!

Well, I believe DeafRead has similar traits to a big, strong, powerful bear. We are first a large mass of people who have gathered in this space, forming a large, powerful and strong body.

About Bears:

1. Bears love adventure and set out on quests. They hunt and wait for the biggest fish they can scoop up and savor.

2. They follow their noses as they seek out the variety of flavors and scents in the world.

3.They love the taste of honey, and often brave angry bees to indulge in the sweet taste of life.

Well, DeafRead certainly has some similarities to bears.

1. Often, each of us seek out the best and biggest “fish.” We want to scoop it up and find that “big topic,” “good point” or “awesome post” that we can savor.

2. As a diverse d/Deaf community, we often bring a variety of flavors to the v/blogosphere. We each have different likes and tastes. We go around DeafRead sampling v/blog posts, looking for new or interesting flavors.

3. Like bears, we often brave those “angry bees” in order to find “that which is as delicious” to our minds and bodies, like honey.

Taking this “bear time” thinking a little deeper, I begin to ponder “hibernation.” We know that each year, bears must find a quiet, warm, safe, womblike environment to let their physical bodies rest while their spirits enters the dreamtime. Why do they do this? Because their bodies must find the balance they need to rejuvenate, reenter and continue successfully in the world.

To me, it’s as if DeafRead is now in a season of hibernation. Some people have left or withdrawn. Maybe it’s time for them to seek balance and find what’s important to their hearts and souls. They realize, for whatever reason, the balance is off. They now seek clarity and time to focus on that which really matters.

Bears can guide us deeper into our experience of life. They help us understand that there is a season to enter the dreamtime where we can travel in the realm of the spirit and be rejuvenated by the source of all life.

Then, after traveling through this time, mentally digesting and learning from our experiences, we can come out of hibernation. We can reenter and continue thriving in the world, carrying our renewed energy with us as we move through our days ahead.

It’s important to note that bears do not stay in hibernation forever. Yet, they stay long enough to find what’s important and recreate their vision. It’s the same way with many of us at DeafRead. I hope, really hope, that people will come out of hibernation.

Right now at DeafRead, it is a very sacred time. It’s not dark, ugly or awful. No. It’s sacred. It’s a time of awakening. People are saying, “This place of anger, wars and hostility is not what I want. This is not how I want to live.”

I applaud them. I think it’s farout! Yes, go find the balance. And then, hopefully, after a time of healing and rejuvenation, you’ll come back, and enter the d/Deaf v/blogosphere once again.

(LaRonda plays her peace drum to honor this sacred time.)

LaRonda and Bear: Bye (ILY wave)

ASL - Sign Language, Deaf, Health, Meaning, Miscellaneous, Spiritual, Support, Video Clips | 15 Comments »

Transcript below

Transcript:

Hello. My trip to Yosemite is almost over and done. I wanted to let you know about an interesting fact. When you enter any National Park there is an entry fee. Yes, it’s true, and you must have a Park Pass that you show the ranger when you enter the park.

My husband was ready to buy us a Family Pass that would cost $80 for one year. That pass would allow you to enter any National Park throughout the United States. Well, we drove up to the park entrance where the ranger station was and my husband began talking to the ranger about the pass. But, I interrupted using sign language and asked if being Deaf would get us a discount.

The woman ranger looked at me. My voice was off while signing. She looked at me more and said, “Oh, are you deaf?”

I answered, “Yes.”

She asked, “Is your disability permanent?”

I smiled and nodded, “Yes. It’s permanent. It won’t get better. I won’t hear again. No, it’s permanent.”

She responded, “No problem,” and then she gave me a FREE National Park Pass for LIFE!! Yes, for Life! Not one or two years, but for Life! That means I can now enter any National Park anywhere in the United States, and enter FREE. In addition, the people traveling in my car with me are also FREE. How cool is that?!

If you don’t know this already, go to any national park office and get your free park pass. It’s so cool! This means that being Deaf has its perks!

Bye! (ILY wave)

ASL - Sign Language, Deaf, Family, Miscellaneous, Video Clips | 11 Comments »

At a class reunion a few years ago, an old friend of mine admitted that she had been uncomfortable around me after I became Deaf because she didn’t know if we could still communicate, and if we did, she was afraid that she might offend me by saying the wrong thing. I asked her what she meant and she further explained.

Photo by: Lou

“I know some people don’t like the word handicapped and I don’t think of you in that way. But, well… you can sort of read my lips, but you can’t hear me anymore. So, what do I call you? I mean… do you prefer to be called disabled or hearing impaired or what?”

I raised an eyebrow and smiled half way.

“Oh shoot! See? I’m already goofing up! I don’t want to offend you so what do I call you now?”

I took a breath and looked compassionately at my friend as she struggled to figure me out. I had once felt the same struggle to figure out just who was after I had become Deaf at 17. It had taken me many years to arrive at the place of self-acceptance, the place where I could claim my “Deaf” identity with joy, pride and passion. I understood her anxiety and her struggle.

Still, I knew that what was important was that she respected me as a person first, a friend, and not look at me with any perceived impairment, disability or handicap. Like other Deafies, I abhor those labels. While thinking about how to respond to her, I remembered the movie, “I am Sam.” (Dir. Jessie Nelson. New Line Cinema, 2001)

In the movie “I am Sam”, the main character, Sam, (Portrayed by Sean Penn) is an adult man with a developmental disability who is fighting for the right to parent his own daughter. In the beginning, an insensitive attorney says to Sam:

“I need that list of names from you—people who can testify that you’re a good father despite your handicap. I didn’t mean your handicap, I meant your disability. [shakes her head] The fact that you’re retarded. That’s not the right word. [exasperated] I don’t know what to call you!

To which Sam replies: Sam. You can call me Sam.

Like this Lawyer, my friend was struggling to find the appropriate terminology to use when referring to me. I gave her credit for at least asking me what term I preferred.

“How about just calling me your friend, LaRonda,” I suggested. “And, if you need a term to define me, then just call me Deaf.”

Photo by: ronmarshalo74

I understood that my friend was searching for the most widely-accepted terminology and trying to avoid potentially offensive labels. The problem today is that many people, especially in our Deaf World, prefer different terms. Some folks get very upset about certain terminology, while others simply don’t care.

Equally, some people get very upset about accessibility barriers and lash out at those responsible while others are very patient, appreciative and supportive of people and organizations that are trying to fix or remove those barriers. Some folks like to educate people about accessibility issues and really appreciate the opportunity to talk about what it means to be Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind, use a Cochlear Implant, or have a hearing loss, while others simply prefer not to bring it up at all.

I believe my friend, like many other hearing people, meant well, even though her labels and incorrect assumptions stung. I’m glad she invited me to clear up those assumptions and false stereotypes.

Even us Deafies need to remember that other people who are d/Deaf have different preferences in how they define themselves. Just because one person prefers to be identified one way doesn’t mean that another person will also prefer to be labeled in that way.

Common sense would say it’s safe to use “people-first” language when referring to d/Deaf folks. People-first language means putting the person first and being d/Deaf second. Yet, for those of us who identify ourselves as culturally Deaf, to be Deaf is our identity and we are Deaf first and foremost.

Photo by: Voj

I guess, when unsure, it is wisest to ask the person directly what terminology he or she prefers. And, when we are asked, we must be compassionate with the asker, as well as clear.

“I’m Deaf,” I said again to my friend.I love being Deaf. You don’t have to dance around the word by using what you think is a more politically correct term such as “hearing impaired” or “disabled.” Those words are actually less accurate and more annoying. I’m am LaRonda and I am Deaf. Just call me “Deaf.”

Deaf, Hearing Loss, Late-Deaf, Meaning, Miscellaneous | 14 Comments »

Closed Captioned

ASL - Sign Language, Deaf, Family, Gallaudet, Meaning, Miscellaneous, My Story, Parenting, Video Clips | 8 Comments »

Transcript below

Transcript:

Hello. It’s nice out tonight. Yes, it is night time. It’s 7pm, but it’s still daylight. The sun hasn’t quite set yet. I’m sitting in my back yard right now just chillin. Yeah… I should do this more often…

I just got back, a little while ago, from a workshop. I lead a panel of speakers. (Yes, i worked on a Saturday! Oy!) anyway, it was a good workshop. There were many people in attendance. The make up of the audience was mixed and diverse. There were Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, CI users, those who used FM systems and a variety of others, including some who were hearing as well. It was a great mix of diverse people.

The panel, itself, was also diverse. There was a big “D” Deaf person (native ASL user, Deaf school graduate born to hearing parents).

There was also a little “d” deaf person who happened to be born deaf. He went to a mainstream school, (did not sign) later received a CI, then transfered to NTID, learned ASL in college and became fluent. This panelist had many different identities wrapped up on one person!

Another late-deafened panelist grew up hearing, had a deaf mother and hearing father, she signed a bit when young, became hard of hearing later in life and then a while later became profoundly deaf. By then, she knew ASL and she also got a CI and got her hearing back and it was like she was hearing again. So her identity swing like a pendulum from hearing to Deaf to hearing again. Wow!

The final panelist was a hard of hearing woman. She did not ASL and did not get a CI. Apparently she was “not deaf enough” to receive a CI, which was interesting.

All of these panelists had such a mixture of identities. The audience also showed such a variety of identities and it really impacted me. You know, I tend to work with Deaf people all over. Actually, I usually work with signing d/Deaf people. However, i have worked some with seniors who are losing their hearing due to age, and a variety of others. But I realize that today, we simply no longer fit into one box. Not even within our respective groups.

I asked the panelist how they identified themselves. For the Deaf panelist, that was easy. He was proud of his Deaf identity and strong in his cultural language of ASL. But all of the other panelists could not stay with just one label. They couldn’t! They were either “deaf-hard of hearing,” or “deaf-late-deafened-hard of hearing-hearing” or “hard of hearing-not deaf enough”, and on and on… Wow!

We really are a diverse group of people!

However, the one thing that everyone seemed to agree on matches what I recently vlogged about. Does UNITY mean agreeing and /or being the same? No. It simply means MUTUAL RESPECT. Respecting each person with individual stories and needs. We all recognized that we need ACCESS to information and understanding, yet how we receive that access, and what access is fitting is different for each individual.

So, can we assume that close captions will cover everyone’s need for access to information? No, we can’t. For example, a Deaf person might say, “Well, I can read English, but it’s not my strength. I prefer information in ASL.” Yes, this could be true for some.

Still others might say, “Oh sure! I would love more information in ASL because I want to learn more about ASL, but I really don’t have much opportunity to mingle or socialize with Deaf people who use ASL. Therefore, I must depend on captions for access.”

That’s how it it. Anyway, my point is that we make up a diverse world. There is no one-size-fits-all anymore, even in our respective groups (D/deaf/hh/l-d… etc.). We’re just a mix!

I’m glad YOU are YOU, and I am Me. We are all HUMAN. We’re all made from the same DIVINE STUFF.

(Pause… yeah…)

We all BELONG.

(Bye ILY wave)

ASL - Sign Language, Deaf, Deafhood, Hearing Loss, Late-Deaf, Meaning, Miscellaneous, Support, Video Clips | 24 Comments »

Dear God, make me a bird. So I could fly far.
Far far away from here.
~ Forrest Gump

Photo by: *Zara

…Keep rising above it all like the sun on wings of morning…
~ Conway Twitty

Photo by:robokow

…like a dandelion seed floating in the wind…
Where will I go, where will I land?
~ P. J. Olsson

Photo by: Pensiero

Let your spirit fly,
where we are one.
~ Lenny Kravitz

Photo by: Schrollum

(*This post is dedicated to my very special friend, Jeffrey Roberts. ~)

Meaning, Miscellaneous, Spiritual | 2 Comments »