The Value of Community

You guessed it. I took some time out to refocus, which is why this blog hasn't seen much activity for a while. We all need time to refocus and figure out what the heck it is that we're doing sometimes! I'm back now, for real.

Over the last several weeks, I've gone for 15 information interviews (that left a big dent in my wallet... all those coffee dates!) and met a vast number of people here in Victoria. A good friend of mine who is a social worker (and also has a hearing loss herself) told me that information interviews were the best way to meet new people, and tap into the hidden job market. Job hunt aside, I've really enjoyed getting out and meeting new people. We've been on the Island for three years and in the last few weeks, I've made more connections than the entire time we've been here. 

Who doesn't love coffee?? Mmmmm

It hit me like an anvil on the coyote's head: creating a community doesn't start by just going out to events, it also means creating meaningful connections with others who share the same interests, concerns and ideas as you do. It means reaching out to others beyond your comfort zone. I feel more at home now that I've found my way through the Victoria population. Believe it or not, pretty much everyone here knows someone that you know! It's like living in the twilight zone. Growing up in a Vancouver suburb, it was incredibly rare to meet someone that knew someone within your circle of friends. I guess that's what happens when you live in a smaller city!

Daddy is sexy!

Yesterday, out of the mouths of my little girl came the words:

Daddy is sexy!

Wow. This is going to be an embarrassing post for her father/my husband. (Psst: I just confirmed it with him, he doesn't even read my posts!)

Her statement couldn't be more true. Even though this blog focuses on what it's like to be a hard of hearing mommy, I couldn't be a hard of hearing mommy without the hard of hearing daddy. Truly, the family is where it all starts.  Regardless if you are hard of hearing or facing some other extraordinary circumstance. Having a hearing loss means that we actually understand each other better without having to say anything about it.

Last week the World Meeting of Families Congress took place in Philadelphia, PA, which is "held every three years and sponsored by the Holy See's Pontifical Council for the Family" (Source: World Meeting of Families). The theme for this event, one of the world's largest Catholic gathering of families was titled Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.  I am fortunate for the love that flows through our family, which began with the two of us in marriage.

What a hard of hearing house looks like

Last week's post was about one student's inaccessibility within the educational environment. In spite of the outrage and shock, I thought to myself: hey, my home is pretty hard of hearing accessible! There is always room for improvement, but in our case this works for us.

Visibility, for the hard of hearing person is probably the most important feature of any house. Especially if one has a child. I know that if I can't see my daughter, I don't know if she's up to no good, is in trouble, or just simply gone to a corner to poop in peace. It's the quiet moments that do scare me the most! We do hope to take down the 'fake' wall separating the kitchen from the living room and create an open concept floor plan. Just need to save up for that... my guess is $50K or more, but if we can somehow figure out how to do it ourselves, then we'd save ourselves a chunk of money.

This is one reason why we chose this house. I could be in the kitchen and watching my girl play.

 

Do you use a cell phone?

A shot from one of SFU's lecture halls (Photo from Flickr) - this is scary for a hard of hearing student!

For those of you who answered the title question with a resounding 'YES!', then this might be an interesting article in relation to the use of technology in contemporary Canada.

Ah yes. In the last 48 hours or so, the hard of hearing community has felt a wave of shock and outrage. From Newfoundland and Labrador, to beautiful Vancouver Island (where I live), the impact of ONE teacher not willing to use an FM system. (and I bet you this teacher uses a cell phone, but more on that later)

My Hard of Hearing Teachers - Part 3

Since this week was the first week of school for many school-aged kids, I finally heard back from the last teacher I contacted. She has asked to remain anonymous, so I will refer to her as "the special teacher".  She is special because she was my first and last hard of hearing teacher! Long story short, my first interaction with her was when I was 6 months old, when she came to my parents place to help jump start my speech and language skills.  Later, I had her again for preschool - some of my best memories are in her class! Finally, she was with me until the very end of my high school years. What a story to conclude this mini saga of My Hard of Hearing Teachers Parts 1, 2 and now 3!

On having a strong willed child

This week has been a challenging one in parenting. While it comes as no surprise that my girl is strong willed, my dad sent me the below photo to help calm me down.

Photo from Free Range Learning

My Hard of Hearing Teachers: Part 2

Last week, I introduced you to one of my former Hard of Hearing Teachers, Annabelle Cutting. She gave a pretty awesome overview of my first year at the Vancouver Oral Centre, when I was 3-years old. Fast forward two years, (at this point, I'm 5 years and probably full of mischief), the foundation has been set, and I'm on the cusp of being mainstreamed into the regular school system.

Next, I'd like to introduce you to Cindi Augustine. Cindi actually has a Childcare Worker degree (not specifically designated as a teacher of the deaf), and I remember seeing her as a bubbly, vibrant person who always had a huge grin on her face!

Even though I was only in her class for one short year, we still keep in touch via email and Facebook. Here is her write up: