Deaf Adoption Tips by Deaf Parents Judy and Bob offer some helpful tips to consider before adopting a child. Deaf Adoption Tips include unconditional commitment, good network with the Deaf community, and appropriate terminology. Bob: Hello. We will discuss adoption. My name is Bob… Combining Children by Birth and Adoption Judy: and I am Judy. Together, we raised two daughters, …
Read MoreDeaf Lesbians’ Systemic Barriers to Adoption Ella and Judy discuss the challenges they faced as first-generation lesbian mothers dealing with systemic barriers to adoption. Domestic Violence Led to Move Judy: I had five children who I brought with me to Kansas from Oklahoma due to domestic violence that caused a breakdown in spiritual growth, as well as physical, emotional and …
Read More
Deaf Transracial and Trans-country Adoption Edna shares her family’s experience with Deaf transracial and trans-country adoption. Deaf transracial and trans-country adoption: Hello everyone, I’m Edna Johnston. My topic is adoption. I have four children, all of whom I adopted, including one who was conceived and born with my wife of 16 ½ years. I think adoption is a beautiful concept …
Read More
Advice for Prospective Adoptive Deaf Parents Maureen shares her Deaf Indian adoption experience and offers two important pieces of advice for prospective adoptive parents. Communication Access and Medical-Related Issues Hi, I’m Maureen Behrens. I’d like to share my adoption story, focusing on communication access and medical-related issues. I adopted my daughter about 10 ½ years ago, through the Holt International …
Read MoreRon discusses dealing with a medical issue related to his son and some unwanted medical advice from the doctor. Experience Related to the Medical Field Ron: Hi and good afternoon, I’m Ron Symansky, a father of three adopted children through international adoptions. I’d like to share one of my experiences related to the medical field. My oldest son had a …
Read MoreAdoption and the Medical Community Hi, I’m Kym Symansky. I’m the mother of three children through international adoption. I want to share my experience with adoption, particularly with the medical community. When our children came home, I felt like they were my children, 500% mine, even though they did not come from my womb. They are children who came from …
Read MoreKnitting as therapy Knitting offers many wonderful therapeutic benefits. Nettie has plenty to teach us. Celebrate Neurodiversity Nettie is sitting at a table, smiling and holding a sign that says “#CelebrateNeurodiversity”. Nettie signs: “I’m happy. I enjoy knitting. I’m good at this. It’s fun!” Scenes of Nettie knitting and holding up a completed piece of work. Resources: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/01/25/the-health-benefits-of-knitting/?mtrref=www.google.com&gwh=A308352D26B05D72CD4A2DC230A1C91F&gwt=pay&assetType=REGIWALL https://deafcounseling.com/neurodiversity-ulualos-home-depot-job-story/
Read MoreRight support and Environment lead to success A Deaf woman, Ulualo, of Home Depot takes pride in her job and demonstrates that everyone with neurodiversity can make a contribution, with the right support and in the right environment. Celebrate Neurodiversity Ulualo is signing: #CelebrateNeurodiversity. I’m special and I have a gift. I work here at Home Depot. I’m an expert …
Read MoreImportant Autism Lesson Mother Learned Raising a son with autism: Tammy Jo, parent of a Deaf child with autism, shares a story about raising her son. Through this important lesson she learned, we can all benefit and increase our understanding of how to interact with children with autism. Son Identifying his Autism: Hi, my name is Tammy Ellis. I would …
Read MoreNeurodiversity: As part of DCC’s spotlight on neurodiversity, Toni shares her struggles with ADHD, which is prevalent in 4.4% of the US population. Dealing with ADHD: Hello! I’m Toni. I want to talk a little about ADHD/Neurodiversity, which I have. When I was first diagnosed with ADHD, I remember everything clicking in my mind and thinking, “Ohhh, that explains all …
Read More