Thursday, February 24, 2011

Imagine- rated R for language

Imagine you get pregnant and plan for months to welcome your new baby. Imagine all of the gifts you receive at a baby shower. Imagine how you decorate the perfect nursery. Imagine how you read all of the books and do all of the research to be the perfect parent.  Imagine how the world seems collectively shout with joy when your precious bundle of joy is born.

Now imagine you go to the hospital, fed up because the doctor won't tell you why your baby won't turn to your voice. Imagine now how at 10 months old the doctor tells you your child can't hear. Imagine how you feel when they tell you he will never read or speak.

Now imagine yourself sitting there........ and you say.......

Fuck You

Last night I was at a committee meeting for a dinner show at my son's school. He is a deaf kid mainstreamed after years at a state school. He is cast often in shows but this show will only be high school kids so my 7th grader will not be involved.

During the meeting the chair person asked me, " Mel when should we have the interpreted shows?"

After 13 years I am not having to defend for a brief moment. The people sitting at the table have no idea what it means to be deaf but they want the deaf community to come to the show and enjoy it. My son has become a matter of fact. My son who reads way above grade level and has a "voice".

Breath......... a shout to the past..... FUCK YOU

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

What Is Real?

I monitor my son's Facebook. To be honest I don't do it often. His friends are kids from his arts magnet  school and a couple of teachers. The posts are often creative and rarely worth worrying about . The fact that his friends are hearing and he is deaf doesn't matter online. He can express himself directly. I often feel his meaning in direct conversation is changed because of the communication barrier with his peers. If not changed maybe watered down. I could be wrong. With the power of written English he is free. He can join the casual chatting of typical hearing kids.  Here is an example of his freedom with the written word,

A girl posts- "Sometimes I wonder what's real and what's fake... I hope I find out sooner than later."


This is followed by really cool and sweet comments.


Then my Deaf son posts- " What is real? How do you define real? If you're talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then real is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain."


Yep, I am not really worried about Facebook. This is a place where my son can by heard loud and clear.