Helen Keller

Today in our ASL class, Mrs. Tamara was talking about Helen Keller.

One of Helen Keller's less famous quotes was, “Blindness separates us from things, but deafness separates us from people.”

What a profound statement. 

It's so true. Blindness separates us from things (objects in life, what we can't see, colors, light). However Deafness separates us in a much more intimate way. It separates us from people, from relationships, from communication.

Blindness as a disability is very obviously seen by outsiders. You can physically SEE that someone is blind most of the time. Either they have a seeing eye dog, or a white cane, or read braille. It's an "obvious" disability most of the time.

However Deafness is not. You can't just look at someone and know they are Deaf or hard of hearing. I could talk to you on the street and unless I TOLD you I was Deaf, you'd never know.

Some Deaf (especially late-deafened) talk perfectly. Some Deaf lip-read well enough to "fake it". With some Deaf it's more obvious than others. So the "recognition" part is sometimes missing.

It leads to misunderstandings.

Growing up people at school would say I'm snobby because I wouldn't answer them when I simply didn't hear them. Even today people think I'm offended when I "ignore" them, but I just didn't hear the comment in the first place.

And what about those that are obviously Deaf. Even though they are in and of themselves absolutely 100% NORMAL, their Deafness creates a chasm that many do not want to take the time to overcome. Deafness can (though not always) builds a wall between mother/father and Deaf child, Deaf parent from hearing child, Deaf siblings from brothers/sisters, and Deaf from the Hearing world. It is the harshest of realities that come with not being about to hear.

But all is not lost.

You see when Helen Keller said she'd rather be blind than deaf, I disagree. I'd rather be Deaf than anything else in the world.

Why? Because Deaf people overcome. Parents, siblings, children CAN learn to sign. Language can be learned, people CAN communicate.

It just takes time, patience, and a lot of understanding.

I hope if you are reading this today- you commit to bridging the gap. Break down that wall.

Don't let Deafness separate us as people.

How to save on PhotoBooks and much more

Click here to view this photo book larger

Click here to create your own Shutterfly photo book.

My oldest son turns 10 in November and so this year we wanted to do something extra extra special. We created a birth-10 photobook from Shutterfly for one of his gifts :)

One of his (and my) favorite night-time games is called "Remember when..."

We often sit on his bed and just talk about memories from his childhood. I know he will LOVE this book :)

Shutterfly can have amazing deals. Since this was my first time on Shutterfly, I received a coupon for 50 free (4 by 6) prints.  ALSO I bought a Groupon for $20 off an 8 by 8 book.

My total for 68 pictures (I took myself and edited on Picassa) for Christmas gifts to grandparents, for myself, and aunts/uncles, plus (1) 8 by 8 book for son's birthday was originally $53.-... After discounts and Groupons- $13-. Add the $10 I spend on Groupon- $23 all together for amazing pictures and a gift that will last a lifetime.

I'm very pleased!

Learning the sites that save you money is worth the time.

Places like Groupon, Half Price Depot, Living Social save you money on gift cards, restaurants, events, and more.

Places like RetailMeNot give online coupons.

Places like Shutterfly give great picture and memorbilla discounts.

And my new favorite- Shop.com combines NewEgg.com, EBay, Amazon, Groupon, and more all in one place.

Check them out and enjoy saving!

Deaf History: ASL class Week 1

This week is the start of our Homeschool ASL classes. I've teamed up with my Deaf friend Tamara over at Silent Heart Ministries to assist her in teaching American Sign Language to the homeschool community in north/northwest Charlotte.

I wanted to share as we work together on this project because as anyone who has ever taught a class knows- 99% of the work is done behind the scenes. Teachers hours and hours of prep before they ever step into a classroom.

Tamara has worked on the power points and vocabulary aspects of this class. You can look at her PPTs as well as find sites for practicing online on her blog (here). She will be adding lessons as we go along.

I wanted to share as well my efforts in compiling ASL related games, activities, and history/culture lessons. Hopefully week by week I will add as we go as well.

For today- check out this site on Learning ASL and Deaf History!

And be sure to come back often and check on our progress :)

Just one of those weeks (months)

It's just been one of those weeks.

You know how it goes... running like a crazy person, cramming so much into the schedule you think the schedule will burst.

Rushing so much that you have to air dry your hair by rolling the windows of the van while going 70 (ish) on the highway.

In such a hurry you don't notice your skirt is inside out till you're half way to church.

Yeah- THAT kind of busy.

As I get (ah- hmm) wiser (older), I notice life goes in various phases. Sometimes I'm in the place where everything is still, calm. And other times life is spinning almost out of control on the brink of chaos.

Sometimes I love the calm. And sometimes I love the chaos.

But in it all I want to be one thing- content.

Content that in the calm or chaos God is in control.

And He has a plan bigger than me.

And He loves me and wants the best for His people.

....

So for now, I'm loving the craziness. And holding on for dear life.