I had an enlightening conversation with a deaf friend this morning, and it got me thinking….
In the unique journey of raising deaf and hard of hearing children, we often find ourselves immersed in research, looking for the best strategies, tips, and educational techniques and losing ourselves down the various rabbit holes available to us (or is that just me?!).
While this information is undoubtedly valuable, there is another resource that is profoundly impactful and one that I strongly encourage all families to tap into:
The lived experiences of deaf and hard of hearing people.
Engaging and connecting with deaf adults can offer insights that no amount of research can provide. Trust me on this - I’ve read more journal articles than you can poke a stick at!
These stories carry the weight of real-life experiences, struggles, triumphs, and everyday moments that resonate on a deeply human level. These narratives also often highlight aspects of our children’s lives that we might not have considered and often don’t have the capacity to consider, as we are not deaf or hard of hearing ourselves.
Personally, I gain so much from these conversations, which can be invaluable, especially in times of advocacy and when making informed decisions for our kids - which seems to be every day of our lives, right?!
Think about it: Deaf adults have navigated the very systems and societal structures we are preparing our children to face.
Their insights can guide us in walking this path effectively and advocating the right way for the needs of our child; whether that is around educational accommodations, interpreter access or their inclusion in social settings. They also remind us that while research is important, the lived experiences of those who are literally walking this path every day, can not be overstated. They hold a lot of weight!
Just as a new mother seeks out other mothers who’ve gone through the birthing journey and those early years with a newborn; parents of deaf children should also be seeking out not just other parents of deaf children, but deaf people themselves to help them navigate the unknown ahead.
I often talk about community and the power it has to transform the lives of so many. When we bring in all the support and the knowledge and the experiences of those who have walked our child's path, we can truly start to set the foundations for success and forge a pathway where our deaf child can truly thrive!
Well that’s how I see it anyway!