Meet you at the park!

 

Whatever.

I have been told since Kellan was a baby he would never fit in.  Once we received his diagnosis and communication choices needed to be made, the opinions of those representing intervention for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are loud.  The hearing community makes it clear that amplification and technology would be his only hope in a hearing world.  The Deaf community makes it clear I have no business making that choice for my baby and he would never be included in Deaf culture despite the fact he is profoundly deaf.  If we chose total communication, using both listening/spoken language and ASL, he would never find himself accepted in either community.  It seems deaf kids do not have the same abilities to learn multiple languages as their hearing counterparts or so it is represented.  I remember finally shaking my head and responding in the only mature, responsible manner I could muster:  Whatever.

In the last year, we have been confronted with the reality of the social component to Kellan’s development.  When you are constantly being told your child is a distraction and an interruption there comes a point in time you start believing the lies.  Your baby will never fit in.  I’ve wrestled with these thoughts the last few months and have found myself coming back to:  Whatever.  I should also share it is one of my favorite ASL signs.  I usually sign it while shaking my head and rolling my eyes because it’s a legit part of the language and I choose to take full advantage of it.

Whatever is true: my baby is a good and perfect gift.

Whatever is noble: when he does communicate in whatever manner he chooses, I want him to speak truth in love and that has less to do with hearing ears and more to do with a hearing heart. 

Whatever is right: what works for my son and our family in terms of communicating is what makes the choice right.

Whatever is pure: he is a little boy that has yet to be affected by the opinions of others.

Whatever is lovely: he is insanely cute!

Whatever is commendable: he is the hardest working little dude I have ever met.

There are always choices.  I’m going to choose to think about all the things worthy of praise.  

He deserves that from his mama!  

Sara

Welcome! "Now why am I here again..."

Georgia Hands & Voices is exceptionally proud to announce that our Georgia H&V Guide By Your Side^TM Program is up and running!  We have diverse group of five highly-trained Parent Guides, along with myself, GA H&V GBYS Director, who are all parents of our own unique children who are Deaf or Hard Hearing, here in Georgia. We hope you get to know us better through this blog, as we share our personal and professional perspectives, as well as current knowledge on the burning (and oftentimes confusing) topics that surround (and bombard) us as we raise a child/ren with hearing loss.  

Guide By Your Side™ is a Hands & Voices program that embodies our strong values of direct peer connections and networking. It promotes self-efficacy and hinders isolation by exploring our common bond, shared experiences, challenges, wisdom and insight. 

So, welcome to this blog, we hope you enjoy the interaction, the support, the resources, the personal perspectives and stories. Remember, your family's story, experiences and journey are uniquely that- your own. Provided comprehensive, timely and appropriate information in an unbiased, non-judgmental and supportive manner, by those who have walked this path, I do believe that you will find your own path as you raise your unique child to reach his or her full potential because...

"What works for your child is what makes the choice right."

GA Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Program Provides:

• A Parent Guide to listen and share resources, one-on-one
• Unbiased support - listening without judging
• Compassion and knowledge from parents who also have a child with hearing loss
• Workshops, trainings, and events for parents and children
• Networking opportunities with other families
• Referrals to other programs that serve deaf or hard of hearing children

Georgia Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Parent Guides:

• Are specially trained parents of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Work directly with families in need of the unique support that comes from someone else who has walked the path him/herself 
• Can provide emotional support at the time of confirmation of a hearing loss, as well as provide a continuity of support to families throughout the child’s life, especially at times of transition
• Offer resources, information, encouragement, and an opportunity to network with other families  

Who is eligible for the GA Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Program:

•  Georgia families and families receiving services here
•  Families who have a child with hearing loss, birth through high school
•  This is a free service to families

For more information, please visit our website, http://www.gahandsandvoices.org/Guide_By_Your_Side.html or contact me, Terri Patterson, GA H&V Guide By Your Side Program Director at tpatterson@doe.k12.ga.us . Thank you, Terri

*This program is made possible through the support of the Georgia Department of Education.