Expressing Myself

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Thanks to those that responded but I’d sure love a few more responses! Please click below to take the survey -it’s not painful at all! Thanks!

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To learn more about the mission of the survey - check out my previous post here

As a Deaf parent, have you ever wondered about issues in regards to raising your hearing children?

Do you have questions that you would love to ask but haven’t had the resources?

Or didn’t know who to ask?

Would you like to meet online with other Deaf parents to discuss topics such as - what to do when hearing people ask questions to your child in public, sign language, teenager behavior and much much more. Start to understand that some of your child’s behavior is standard among their peers, not because they have Deaf parents. Also learn about topics to communicate with your child to avoid any confusion for them in the hearing world.

You have the unique opportunity to help shape a new online workshop geared for discussing parenting topics as they may relate to raising hearing children in a Deaf household. These workshops will be conducted by myself, Lisa Callsen a CODA (child of deaf adults) and parenting coach Barb Desmarias

Please fill out the survey to help identify the best format for the workshops. Click Here to take survey

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While camping, I overheard two Kodas talking about their parents. I’ll be doing more Koda Observations, but if you missed my first one, take a look - Koda Observation 1

Riding on the coattails of Coda Conference, I’ve been able to enjoy life daily rather than focus on the future. It allows my mind to connect the dots on my personality, character and being.

I’m finally owning up to it! IT IS ALL ABOUT ME! At conference I had a breakthrough moment. I’ve been fearful of my ideas and taking them out into the world. I was always wondering what the negatives would be. I was scared of being who I was “CODA” and running with it. This year’s conference helped me to see that I want to be a speaker. “Hearing” people tell me that I have great stories that are also inspiring!

Basically you have to love yourself before you can love others. If I don’t think about my healthy needs and focus on ME - then I can’t focus on others. It’s true, there are studies. You know like when you get on a commercial airplane and they tell you…secure your own mask before assisting others. Same concept!

Photo credit - another fabulous Coda - Sean he also talks about the conference here!

Sometimes I Google myself, and I found this blog post almost 2 years ago from Xanga. Pretty funny now.

Having just returned home from a fabulous CODA conference held in Indy - I keep learning new things about myself each year. This year, DREAM IT - LIVE IT! Today is my birthday - so if you like to give me a gift - subscribe to my blog! See up in the right side with the counter click on the email - you’ll never miss a vlog/blog! That would be the best gift ever!! My goal is 50 subscribers!

Trying out the new laptop while I make and post this video. Got some bugs to work out, it cut me off in the end, but the jist is I’M EXCITED!!!

The countdown is the toughest part, when others arrive before I do, I hear about it on our groups, FB and IMs. It starts to get me itchy. Can’t wait til Thursday when the road trip begins.

When I go to conference it feels like just a really comfortable setting. To be myself without that extra element of having to explain about my parents being Deaf. Some people really call it home. My parents are still living, but for those that parents have passed, I’ve been told conference gives them that part of them back. Several Codas are not in Deaf-related work fields and this conference allows us to celebrate our heritage along with Deaf heritage. We are a sub-culture of the Deaf community.

I enjoy no explain explain at conference! It allows me to just building friendships based on me, not first let me tell you all about the Deaf world. Oh and yes I like drama, cooking and gardening.

I’m excited to see my family!

Do you know Sean? I really want you to meet him! He is a Coda too. I’m in such a grateful mood these day and must share how Codas can be the most accepting and supportive people in my life, mostly at very unexpected times.

First, I must give you some history. I met Sean at a Coda conference, I don’t quite know which one, but I remember re-connecting with him at the Buffalo Conference in 2003. I was 7 months pregnant so I remember it well. I sat at his table on during the first night’s dinner. He was so wonderful, taking care of me and making sure I had sugar for my coffee. When you are 7 months pregnant it’s the little things that move you. Since that time, he has been a favorite to me. He was the first blogger I knew on Xanga, and I even had an account there. However our paths didn’t really cross much until this year.

Somehow I was asked to participate in the International Coda website committee, headed up by Sean. I said yes right away. In working with Sean on the team we have become closer, he knows so much about tech and online stuff that we clicked. I was very impressed with his willingness to help me in some of the areas of this blog via video. We’ve chatted via Skype and Oovoo having a wonderful time. He turned me on to Twitter - which I’m still trying to understand and utilize.

I had a conference online last month to launch my new ebook - Benefits of ASL with Hearing Children. I tweeted (posted on the Twitter page) about my presentation. During my time, there were several visual malfunctions. I had planned to show my book via my website. So when things didn’t resolve, I just talked about it. I opened the floor up for questions and there was SEAN!!! He got the discussion going on the topic of signing and my eyes were welling up with tears! The support from another Coda that very moment was priceless to me. He knew the benefits and he helped to illustrate it for me. He is also a strong supporter of cultivating sign language interpreters now for future careers due to the shortage.

I want you to meet Sean, not only because he is a kind and generous person, but also because I have invited him to post on my blog. So please post some encouragement for him and check out his blog too. He has some really interesting posts! Like this one in ASL talking about Mac web cams.

And Sean…THANK YOU!

Have you injured yourself while signing?

Well, now that I have your attention - I’m talking about awareness a bit closer to home. It’s not on a big soapbox, it’s just one person to another. To me this post serves as a good lesson to be reminded of from time to time.

The world is made up of so many interesting and unique things to learn about. This stems from very intriguing people. There is a professional for every imaginable product, activity, or way of life. For years I tried to get hubby Carl to try new things. Actually on one of our very first dates, I wanted to eat Calamari, but he was totally against ordering it…so, I mumbled to the waiter to bring it. Since Carl is Deaf and had no idea that I ordered it, he was quite surprised. He tried it and now 10 years later he orders it whenever he can!

It’s about exploring, listening and tuning in to our environments. After years of asking Carl to try dance lessons, I finally got him to commit to a class with me. He did excellent, in fact - I’m the one that had difficulty with the Waltz steps, Carl grasped them almost instantly. See Dancing is Hard Work

My oldest daughter had a recital - this was professional! She was a little Eskimo - isn’t she cute!

Jean Wolfmeyer is a dynamic teacher, she’s turned out several professionals from our small little town. It doesn’t even compare to the other schools in the area. The recital was 4 hours! I knew I’d enjoy it, it had been my first time seeing her production. I was a bit concerned with Carl, not being able to hear the music, especially for 4 hours, I thought he might become quite bored. As the show got underway, each dance was beautiful, Carl and I would make eye contact and nod as to say “well-done”. At intermission, my husband and I were talking about the show and he shares how totally impressed and professional the gig is. Huh? Is this the same guy that wouldn’t dance with me for years… then I thought about it. Having taken the dance class gave him some idea of how difficult it is to dance. He had become aware resulting in having more appreciation for the art of dance. He also could see the distinct improvement in our daughter. (Jean is really amazing)!

Having had to field numerous Deaf related questions my entire life, I really don’t mind answering those trying to explore our culture of Deafness. I encourage their questions so that they can learn and share with others. So the moral of the story kids - open your emotions, feelings and curousity to the world around you. Explore and learn - without prejudice. Be a sponge and learn something new. Whether it be calamari, dancing or anything that you come into contact with today!