Two Photographs: Happy families watching their infants “hear” for the first time. The Media loves these stories. So wonderful that these children can now lead ‘normal’ lives and dodge the deafness bullet. A recent personal experience caused me to contemplate Cochlear Implant surgery and the effect it may have on the babies who do not […]
Tag Archives: deaf
The Miracle Worker
March 31, 2015

Remember the movie “The Miracle Worker”? I always thought it was about Helen Keller. But guess what? It’s really about her teacher Anne Sullivan. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about Helen Keller and her incredible story. But what about Anne? April 14, 1866…….almost 150 years ago, Anne was born in Feeding Hills, […]
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing are Everywhere
February 24, 2015

Las Vegas…….1980 something…..walking down the strip with my sister. It’s late of course and the sound of slot machines and the smell of cigarette smoke waft out of every casino doorway. People everywhere. So many flashing lights and so many sounds. As we’re walking, I hear a man behind us. He begins making comments about […]
Common Myths About Deaf People
January 14, 2015

This list was actually compiled by an up and coming Sign Language Interpreter. “Caseykins” took sign language as a foreign language class and was amazed to learn so much about Deaf Culture and her own misconceptions. As she is hearing, she acknowledges that she has no idea what it is actually like to be […]
WHY Would I Want To Learn Sign Language?
November 24, 2014

Recently, I was asked this question. “Why are so many hearing people choosing to learn sign language ?” As a SODA, watching a sibling grow up with limited family interactions, diminished communications with ‘non-signing’ family members and relatives, the answer to this question seems obvious. But for those who recently find themselves growing curious, […]
How to Handicap a Deaf Person
October 21, 2014

Recently, an Amarillo school district has stirred up some controversy regarding the sign language system taught to deaf students in their district. The district is not teaching ASL, but instead is teaching the Morphemic Sign System (MSS). This system is only used in Amarillo and has many in the Deaf community ‘up in arms’ […]
Why Would Anybody Need a ‘Deaf’ Interpreter?
September 8, 2014
In March 2012, we posted a blog regarding Sign Language Interpreters who are Deaf and active members of the Deaf Community. Recently , this topic was addressed by an experienced hearing interpreter who specializes in the legal field. The Author is Anna Mindess, MA, CSC, SC:L, Anna has been a certified interpreter for over […]
Deaf in The Desert – Part II – Interpreting Services
July 23, 2014
Meet Betty. Betty Ludwick has been a Sign Language Interpreter in the Palm Springs area for many years. Betty is a hearing child of Deaf parents and worked as a teacher in the Palm Springs Unified School District for over 30 years. She has taught American Sign Language classes at College of the Desert, holds […]
Statistics on Deafness and Hearing Loss
April 28, 2014

I recently came across statistics related to Deafness and hearing loss. These were compiled by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). I found a few to be surprising. For instance, “9 out of 10 children who are born deaf are born to parents who can hear’. Why did I assume that […]
“Fake” Sign Language Interpreter – Nelson Mandela Memorial
December 19, 2013
Wow……I guess we should join the chorus of voices commenting on the ‘fake’ interpreter highlighted at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service. I haven’t seen this much attention focused on Deaf issues since “Deaf President Now” at Gallaudet back in 1988! The initial rumblings began early and suddenly the story is on Page One around the world! […]
June 18, 2015
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