Raising a Deaf Child - My Sisters Share What It Was Like Growing Up With a Deaf Sister

Summary

This heartfelt conversation reflects on the experience of growing up with a deaf sister, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of communication and inclusion within the family. The family shares their efforts to learn sign language, how they adapted to ensure their sister felt included, and the importance of encouragement. The narrative also touches on how society perceives deaf individuals, the misconceptions around deafness, and how a supportive family dynamic can help overcome obstacles. It showcases the power of patience, understanding, and unconditional love in a unique and inspiring family story.

Takeaways

• 😀 The family learned sign language together to communicate with their deaf sister, using videos and books as learning tools.
• 😀 Interpreting for a deaf sibling in social situations, like church or family gatherings, was a shared responsibility among the family members.
• 😀 Growing up deaf in a predominantly hearing world presented challenges, especially around making sure the deaf sibling was included in conversations.
• 😀 The family emphasized patience and understanding, with the hearing sibling noting that sign language felt as natural as learning English for communication.
• 😀 The family fostered a supportive environment, encouraging the deaf sibling to overcome challenges and believe in her abilities, both personally and professionally.
• 😀 There were common misconceptions about deafness, such as the ability to read lips or the assumption that deaf people can’t drive or navigate the world.
• 😀 The deaf sibling was never treated as 'handicapped' due to her deafness, and the family encouraged her to be independent and capable.
• 😀 The importance of being aware of language barriers in social settings, like talking too fast without considering the need for sign language interpretation, was emphasized.
• 😀 Encouragement from family members helped the deaf sibling succeed in areas like work, showing that support and belief in her abilities made a significant difference.
• 😀 Sign language became a shared language in the family, and the hearing siblings actively taught their friends and others about it, normalizing communication with the deaf sibling.

Q & A

How did the family first learn sign language to communicate with Ashley?

The family learned sign language primarily through videos and books. Their mom took classes at a local college, and they used resources like 'The Joy of Signing' book. They all practiced together, including the younger siblings.

What was the most challenging part of having a deaf sister for the family members?

The most challenging part was making sure Ashley felt included in conversations, especially in large groups. They had to be conscious about pausing conversations to interpret for her, which could be difficult in social settings.

How did Ashley’s family support her when she was younger?

The family was very supportive by encouraging Ashley to read, helping her with schoolwork, and ensuring she felt included in social and family activities. They made an effort to interpret and communicate with her in a way that made her feel valued.

What did the family do to ensure Ashley could participate in church activities?

The family took turns interpreting for Ashley during church services, with one sibling signing while the other listened. This way, Ashley could understand the sermons and feel included in the community.

How did the family ensure communication with Ashley in everyday situations?

They made sign language a habit at home, often using it to communicate instead of relying on speech. They also had a rule that if no one was going to sign, they needed to stop talking to make sure Ashley was included.

How did Ashley’s siblings handle the need to interpret for her?

Interpreting for Ashley was sometimes a challenge, particularly in fast-paced conversations. However, the siblings were patient and learned to slow down their speech and signing to make sure they communicated effectively. They also worked hard to be mindful of Ashley’s needs in social situations.

What role did patience play in communication with Ashley?

Patience was key in communicating with Ashley, as she needed time to process the signs and sometimes required the siblings to slow down. Her patience also helped as she was understanding and willing to wait for communication, even when it wasn't immediate.

What did Ashley’s family think about the importance of sign language?

The family believed sign language was essential for ensuring Ashley could fully communicate and engage with the world around her. They viewed it as a way to provide her with a level playing field, even though they acknowledged the additional challenges she faced.

What were some common misconceptions about being deaf that the family addressed?

A common misconception was that all deaf people are the same, especially in terms of speech and communication. The family clarified the differences between being deaf and hard-of-hearing and highlighted Ashley’s ability to speak, which some people found surprising.

How did the family approach Ashley's future and independence?

The family was focused on encouraging Ashley to be independent and pursue her goals, just like any hearing person. They emphasized that, despite her deafness, she was equally capable and needed to be treated with the same respect and opportunities as anyone else.