The following blogpost is solely based on my thoughts, experiences and observations into the past and present. The purpose of this post is to prick you, the reader, into a sense of curiosity, which in the end as I do hope, may result in some serious interrogation to bring the facts to the surface. Not for me or for you but for everyone to see and so it goes to be said that these things cannot be left unsaid.
Last night I got a little ring-ring phone call from Mr. Ed Emgee He was just calling to thank me for quoting him in yesterday's blog and he asked me to keep up the good work. Well, as we started talking he went on about the movement for a True Deaf Education, he interrupted himself with the question:
"Why is Catherine Murphy working at Gallaudet University? Do they know of her association with the PepsiCo letter?"
I was thinking to myself trying to figure out why he seemed irked and irritable. I sensed it was not the time to talk so I patiently listened to his words forthcoming. He went on to tell me how it was irresponsible of the board to even consider her for the job.
"She understands what hearing parents want for their children and she has learned that from the bottom up. I cannot understand how no one has even seemed to raise an eyebrow in the least. Is it difficult for you to see where this is going?", he asks.
"You know, I know this is serious. I can sense it but I'm not exactly sure what it is you're talking about. I mean, it is lost on me. What is your beef with her and the PepsiCo letter?"
"This is what they said, 'Murphy brings extensive experience to the position, most recently as director of communications and public affairs for the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In that capacity, she represented the association on a variety of deaf and hard of hearing advocacy coalitions, including as co-chair of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alliance, as well as before media representatives, and members of Congress and their staffs. Now tell me that I did not stand up to Alexander Graham Bell and his ridiculous pure oral evangelism in vain!"
"Ed, look man, I know it is easy to get pissed off about things but I'm still not sure I fully understand you. And no, you did not do these things in vain. You did them for that Deaf children may truly learn and be capable of seeing and loving themselves without the scrutiny of ignorant social norms."
"My reasons precisely. And why did they decide to break my heart on Valentine's Day? I have never felt so torn..."
"Valentine's Day? Excuse me?...What's up?"
"They sent me a little pink envelope which in it, was a black card that read in white letters: 'Gallaudet University today announced that several of its programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels will close in August 2013. This decision by the university’s governing board was made for the purposes of long-term planning and strategic resource allocation.' I initially took the first blow without trouble but as I read further, I could only wince and grimace at the words before my eyes."
"Umm, I didn't quite get all of that you said about the card they gave you but I reckon it was a pretty nasty note and..."
Suddenly my VP starts flashing and I see it's my friend Laurent. I tell Ed to hold on a minute while I answer the VP. He responds with a quick "sure" as I put down the receiver. Finally, I get the remote and answer the VP.
"Mon Dieu! Did you see that they've chosen to do away with the Deaf Studies/Deaf History graduate program. How dare they! Those sons-of-bitches think they can get away with something that is akin to genocide. That is stabbing it in the heart from the back!"
I look at the table where the telephone receiver lay and I quickly set my eyes back to Laurent who is obviously infuriated with the way things are going right now. I carefully, with much caution, tell him:
"Yeah, Ed was telling me about that. He feels heartbroken and deeply troubled. He was telling me how he feels he has done all this hard work for nothing. He was gravely concerned with the fact that Catherine Murphy is going to help AGBell achieve his ultimate goal of forever separating Deaf children from a Deaf Culture."
Clerc with a stern look and fiery hands responds: "Like HELL they will!" He restlessly moves about in his chair and tells me he needs to get a drink. So while he runs off to get a drink, I scurry back over to the table where the phone is:
"Okay, I'm back. I have Laurent on the VP and he is also very upset by this. I told him that I had you on the phone and what you had said to me. He was furthermore enraged and had to fetch himself a drink. Hey Ed, don't worry. I will tell them what you said and they will get on it. They always have. We just need to present the facts. Forget about protests. We are going to question them and bring them down to their reasons! The truth will prevail..."
"Jeff, that's a good idea but remember. They have planned this for many years. They've chosen to be selfish and dishonest in order to maintain any inflow of power. They don't care who Jeffrey is once he becomes an adult, it will not matter. He will get a job. He will be kept occupied. He will have a wife and kids. A mortgage. Three car payments with insurance in tow. He will be paid and he will be taxed. He will be forgotten. You must tell them about..."
Immediately the phone starts picking up static and is cutting in and out.
"Hey Ed? Are you there? What is it you want me to tell them about?"
"Jef.....about.....aga....eee"
The line was picking up all kinds of static and whine-like noises that I couldn't understand any thing at all. I looked back towards the VP to find Laurent reading "Deaf World", a Deaf centric magazine. I attempt to figure out what it was Ed wanted me to tell them about.
"Dude....are you still there?"
________________dialtone__________________
"Sacre! Those blasted people will go to Las Vegas for a deaf exposition and other such vices. They didn't use their time in the summer to plan a strategy that would ensure the continued preservation of Deaf culture, sign languages, and the excelling in the professional training of Deaf people. They just want to bask in the deceptive comfort of self-interest because they're sold out and so...."
[*******************Flash********************]
My VP shuts down and there is no power. After fidgeting with the remote I get up to check the phone which is also dead. I then walk to the front door to look outside, when all of a sudden, I fall and hit the floor.
*BANG!*
Here I am on a Saturday morning, still lying on the floor while the sun penetrates through a crack between the curtains of a window and slowly it slides onto my face. While I laid there recollecting myself and remembering that I had been somewhere and talked to a few someones, I rise to my feet and casually walk into the bathroom to urinate. While I'm on this "You're a peein'" tour of my dream, I mutter to myself about sharing my lucid dream with others that they may care but immediately I scorn myself:
"Don't be silly!...This is the world of apathy. No one is going to care about anything you say."
Do You really want that?
Deaf Culture.
Deaf Education.
American Sign Language.
Eradicated.
Removed.
Gone!
Can you see it happening?
Please don't wait til it is too late, til it's your job, til it's your school, til it's your language, and your culture. Do something about it. NOW!
Demand Truth and Seek Justice.
The above blogpost is solely based on my thoughts, experiences and observations into the past and present. The purpose of this post is to prick you, the reader, into a sense of curiosity, which in the end as I do hope, may result in some serious interrogation to bring the facts to the surface. Not for me or for you but for everyone to see and so it goes to be said that these things cannot be left unsaid.
chicp
Monday, February 28, 2011
A Cup of Honesty
Gallaudet was considered a moderate and an advocate for effective and humane deaf education. He advocated for an approach in which Deaf educators were relied upon to educate Deaf pupils through bilingual instruction. Nothing else matters.
Edward Miner Gallaudet
b. February 5, 1837
d. September 26, 1917
"E.M. Gallaudet took the rostrum to denounce the widespread erroneous beliefs concerning the deaf: namely, all deaf children can learn speech; oral schools receive all pupils; the best oral results cannot be obtained where the sign language is employed; signs can be banished from schools for the deaf; orally educated deaf are more fully restored to society than manually educated deaf; sign language is an imperfect and crude means of conveying thought; and orally educated deaf will not associate with each other after graduation."
pp. 363
"Gallaudet's views placed him on a middle ground between Clerc and Bell. He had, after all, launched the movement that brought articulation training into the residential schools. He had coined the term "combined system" and aggressively espoused its cause- oral instruction for those who could profit, sign for the rest. But he was vigorously opposed to banishing sign. It was not that he wished to safeguard the signing community; like Bell, he opposed intermarriage of the deaf and even their organizations. It was rather that he believed education of the deaf in spoken language was impossible. 'The great body of intelligent instructors,' he wrote, 'are agreed that no error could be greater than to expect all deaf children to succeed in learning to speak. The supporters of pure oralism from the days of Heinicke to the present time have hugged this delusion to their hearts and, as a consequence, the education of hundreds and thousands of deaf children in Germany, France, and Italy, who have been cruelly stretched on the Procrustean bed of a single method, has been more or less of a failure."
pp.366-367
"He claimed that oralism had not fulfilled its promises and he raised the question of whose testimony should carry the most weight in determining whether it had kept its promises or not. The teachers'? But they are partisan and too familiar with their pupils' speech to make an accurate judgment? The testimony of friends and acquaintances of the deaf? They, too, adjust to the poor speech and gestures of the orally taught pupil. The opinions of strangers? Their testimony is more important. But the greatest weight should be given to the views of the deaf themselves. You can imagine how those remarks were greeted by oralist teachers, who had repeatedly excluded the views of the deaf! But even harsher words were to come. Gallaudet raised the question whether oralist educators were defective morally. He stated that they were engaged in a cover up. It was hardly possible that these teachers were deceiving themselves about the poor fruits of oralism, so it must be that they intended to deceive everyone else."
pp. 411
"'If I am in the minority of the hearing section, I am in the majority in the section of the deaf, and proud of it. It is inadmissible that you refuse to speak with the deaf. They have as much awareness of their rights, as much discernment, and as much determination as you do! They are the first to be affected by these proceedings, they have the right to be heard. I protest your attitude.'"
pp.412
When The Mind Hears : A History of the Deaf
Lane, Harlan, 1984
Edward Miner Gallaudet
b. February 5, 1837
d. September 26, 1917
"E.M. Gallaudet took the rostrum to denounce the widespread erroneous beliefs concerning the deaf: namely, all deaf children can learn speech; oral schools receive all pupils; the best oral results cannot be obtained where the sign language is employed; signs can be banished from schools for the deaf; orally educated deaf are more fully restored to society than manually educated deaf; sign language is an imperfect and crude means of conveying thought; and orally educated deaf will not associate with each other after graduation."
pp. 363
"Gallaudet's views placed him on a middle ground between Clerc and Bell. He had, after all, launched the movement that brought articulation training into the residential schools. He had coined the term "combined system" and aggressively espoused its cause- oral instruction for those who could profit, sign for the rest. But he was vigorously opposed to banishing sign. It was not that he wished to safeguard the signing community; like Bell, he opposed intermarriage of the deaf and even their organizations. It was rather that he believed education of the deaf in spoken language was impossible. 'The great body of intelligent instructors,' he wrote, 'are agreed that no error could be greater than to expect all deaf children to succeed in learning to speak. The supporters of pure oralism from the days of Heinicke to the present time have hugged this delusion to their hearts and, as a consequence, the education of hundreds and thousands of deaf children in Germany, France, and Italy, who have been cruelly stretched on the Procrustean bed of a single method, has been more or less of a failure."
pp.366-367
"He claimed that oralism had not fulfilled its promises and he raised the question of whose testimony should carry the most weight in determining whether it had kept its promises or not. The teachers'? But they are partisan and too familiar with their pupils' speech to make an accurate judgment? The testimony of friends and acquaintances of the deaf? They, too, adjust to the poor speech and gestures of the orally taught pupil. The opinions of strangers? Their testimony is more important. But the greatest weight should be given to the views of the deaf themselves. You can imagine how those remarks were greeted by oralist teachers, who had repeatedly excluded the views of the deaf! But even harsher words were to come. Gallaudet raised the question whether oralist educators were defective morally. He stated that they were engaged in a cover up. It was hardly possible that these teachers were deceiving themselves about the poor fruits of oralism, so it must be that they intended to deceive everyone else."
pp. 411
"'If I am in the minority of the hearing section, I am in the majority in the section of the deaf, and proud of it. It is inadmissible that you refuse to speak with the deaf. They have as much awareness of their rights, as much discernment, and as much determination as you do! They are the first to be affected by these proceedings, they have the right to be heard. I protest your attitude.'"
pp.412
When The Mind Hears : A History of the Deaf
Lane, Harlan, 1984
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Advocate and The Audist
Please read the excerpt below and tell me what it tells you.
"Bell placed assimilation into the hearing world above the mental development and professional training of the deaf. 'If we have the mental condition of the child alone in view, without reference to language, no language will reach the mind like the language of signs.' But that could not be the main view because 'the main object of the education of the deaf is to fit them to live in the world of a hearing-speaking people.' When the conference of principals meeting in Minnesota placed on its agenda the question 'What is the importance of speech to the deaf?' Bell was flabbergasted: 'I am astonished. 'I am pained....What is the object of the education of the deaf and dumb if it is not to set them in communication with the world?'
Gallaudet: 'That is one object but a small part of it.'
Bell: 'That is one object and the greatest of all objects.'"
When the Mind Hears : A History of the Deaf,
Lane, Harlan, 1984, pp. 365
"Bell placed assimilation into the hearing world above the mental development and professional training of the deaf. 'If we have the mental condition of the child alone in view, without reference to language, no language will reach the mind like the language of signs.' But that could not be the main view because 'the main object of the education of the deaf is to fit them to live in the world of a hearing-speaking people.' When the conference of principals meeting in Minnesota placed on its agenda the question 'What is the importance of speech to the deaf?' Bell was flabbergasted: 'I am astonished. 'I am pained....What is the object of the education of the deaf and dumb if it is not to set them in communication with the world?'
Gallaudet: 'That is one object but a small part of it.'
Bell: 'That is one object and the greatest of all objects.'"
When the Mind Hears : A History of the Deaf,
Lane, Harlan, 1984, pp. 365
Friday, February 25, 2011
Convo Relay understands Deaf culture.
PAH!
Here is a big kudos to Convo Relay for understanding Deaf Culture and taking a stand on behalf of it. Convo Relay is truly exhibiting a strong "of, for and by the Deaf" attitude which is certainly going to strengthen itself as a business because it will garner loyal and faithful customers who appreciate a business that puts them, the customer, first.
Check it out!
So what's wrong with Alexander Graham Bell?
Well....
Alexander Graham Bell, the man and the association are one and the same. You see, if you study your history and review the time line of the AG Bell Association for the deaf and hard of hearing, you will see that the following quotes and sentiments stated by the man himself are still, to this day, deeply rooted in association's philosophy and pedagogy.
"We should try ourselves to forget they are deaf. We should teach them to forget that they are deaf."
"I admit...the ease with which a deaf child acquires this sign language and it's perfect adaptability for the purpose of developing his mind; but after all, it is not the language of the millions of people among whom his lot in life is cast."
"I would urge the abolition of the sign language."
"To ask the value of speech...is like asking the value of life."
"The adults who use sign represent our failures; let us have as few of them as we possibly can."
*tsk*tsk*tsk*
Oh and did you know that it wasn't until the Americans with Disabilties Act was written into law that the AGBell Association for the deaf and hard of hearing provided signed interpretation of their conferences and workshops?
Now, if you truly embrace yourself as a Deaf person, or any person, who values a unique culture and American Sign Language, please support Convo Relay and let them know that you appreciate their efforts in supporting us. Please contact them at feedback@convorelay.com or better yet, give them a thumbs up on Facebook. By supporting each other, we can tear down THAT wall of ignorance and finally begin to heal as individuals and as a community.
With Convo's advertisement and courage, they are demonstrating for other businesses one of the many ways to spread an important awareness that is good, not just for Deaf people, but for the world at large. So for your bold efforts and firm stance, Convo, we cannot thank you enough. Muchas Gracias!
....and they truly do.
Do you?
Here is a big kudos to Convo Relay for understanding Deaf Culture and taking a stand on behalf of it. Convo Relay is truly exhibiting a strong "of, for and by the Deaf" attitude which is certainly going to strengthen itself as a business because it will garner loyal and faithful customers who appreciate a business that puts them, the customer, first.
Check it out!
So what's wrong with Alexander Graham Bell?
Well....
Alexander Graham Bell, the man and the association are one and the same. You see, if you study your history and review the time line of the AG Bell Association for the deaf and hard of hearing, you will see that the following quotes and sentiments stated by the man himself are still, to this day, deeply rooted in association's philosophy and pedagogy.
"We should try ourselves to forget they are deaf. We should teach them to forget that they are deaf."
"I admit...the ease with which a deaf child acquires this sign language and it's perfect adaptability for the purpose of developing his mind; but after all, it is not the language of the millions of people among whom his lot in life is cast."
"I would urge the abolition of the sign language."
"To ask the value of speech...is like asking the value of life."
"The adults who use sign represent our failures; let us have as few of them as we possibly can."
*tsk*tsk*tsk*
Oh and did you know that it wasn't until the Americans with Disabilties Act was written into law that the AGBell Association for the deaf and hard of hearing provided signed interpretation of their conferences and workshops?
Now, if you truly embrace yourself as a Deaf person, or any person, who values a unique culture and American Sign Language, please support Convo Relay and let them know that you appreciate their efforts in supporting us. Please contact them at feedback@convorelay.com or better yet, give them a thumbs up on Facebook. By supporting each other, we can tear down THAT wall of ignorance and finally begin to heal as individuals and as a community.
With Convo's advertisement and courage, they are demonstrating for other businesses one of the many ways to spread an important awareness that is good, not just for Deaf people, but for the world at large. So for your bold efforts and firm stance, Convo, we cannot thank you enough. Muchas Gracias!
....and they truly do.
Do you?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Pride and Denial : Serial Killers
Frances spoke alright. She could even hear a little and lipread some. With this, it was determined that she should be mainstreamed all the way through high school. She was an average student that made good marks on tests yet was always behind in her school work. Her social life was uneventful and limited because she could never really keep up with the chatter of the Gossiping Girly Gals and, of course, the Blue Balls Boys only seemed to like her because she was a young lady with a nice body and a pretty face. What friends she did have, only seemed to come around when their other friends we're busy or away and had no other choice.
You see, for Frances, high school sucked really bad. So bad that she contemplated suicide often. She would cut and scratch her arms and fingers, punch herself in the face, and she would pull her hair out in a fit of rage. She would cry and moan her way to sleep in the cold corner of her room while the door was locked.
"Mama, I'm not happy. I hurt inside. I don't feel right at school and all the other kids make me feel stupid. They don't understand that I can't hear the way they hear. Sometimes I wish I didn't even exist because it hurts so bad when they make you feel like you don't exist."
"Baby, I understand. They just don't understand. You're better than they are because you can do so much and you don't hear like they do! Just forget about it and remember. Daddy and I love you so much and we are proud of you."
"But Mama,..."
"Shhhh...don't worry about them. You're doing just fine and before you know it, high school with be over. (long pause) So...have you done your homework and decided which colleges you're going to apply for next year?"
"Daddy, Will you hate me if I want to drop out of school?"
"Now Frances, don't be silly and start getting these wild ideas. You've got one year and a half left of school. You've always been strong young lady and you're almost on your way to college. Keep your chin up and remember, you can't afford the 'luxury of a negative thought'. Have you decided where you want to go to college?"
"Well...Yes,..I've thought about going to University and State as well but lately I've been reading good things about Gallaudet University. Did you know that it is the only liberal arts school for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the world? They use American Sign Language there and there are a whole bunch of other deaf people like me. They even have a class called Deaf Studies!"
"Frances, dear, I'm not sure that is a good idea. Your father and I did not work hard with you and your education only to have you go to a college for the deaf. You need to concentrate on your opportunities out there."
"Your Mom is right. You speak really well and you've scored higher than your classmates on your SAT. It would be several steps backwards for you if you were to attend Gallaudet. I strongly feel Gallaudet is not the place for you. I'm surprised you've even considered it."
"Ugh! You guys always tell me what to do and you never take into account how I feel and what I seek. You have always told me what was best for me according to YOU and YOUR ideals. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I NEED! Get the fuck out of my LIFE!"
*BOOM*
You see, for Frances, high school sucked really bad. So bad that she contemplated suicide often. She would cut and scratch her arms and fingers, punch herself in the face, and she would pull her hair out in a fit of rage. She would cry and moan her way to sleep in the cold corner of her room while the door was locked.
"Mama, I'm not happy. I hurt inside. I don't feel right at school and all the other kids make me feel stupid. They don't understand that I can't hear the way they hear. Sometimes I wish I didn't even exist because it hurts so bad when they make you feel like you don't exist."
"Baby, I understand. They just don't understand. You're better than they are because you can do so much and you don't hear like they do! Just forget about it and remember. Daddy and I love you so much and we are proud of you."
"But Mama,..."
"Shhhh...don't worry about them. You're doing just fine and before you know it, high school with be over. (long pause) So...have you done your homework and decided which colleges you're going to apply for next year?"
"Daddy, Will you hate me if I want to drop out of school?"
"Now Frances, don't be silly and start getting these wild ideas. You've got one year and a half left of school. You've always been strong young lady and you're almost on your way to college. Keep your chin up and remember, you can't afford the 'luxury of a negative thought'. Have you decided where you want to go to college?"
"Well...Yes,..I've thought about going to University and State as well but lately I've been reading good things about Gallaudet University. Did you know that it is the only liberal arts school for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the world? They use American Sign Language there and there are a whole bunch of other deaf people like me. They even have a class called Deaf Studies!"
"Frances, dear, I'm not sure that is a good idea. Your father and I did not work hard with you and your education only to have you go to a college for the deaf. You need to concentrate on your opportunities out there."
"Your Mom is right. You speak really well and you've scored higher than your classmates on your SAT. It would be several steps backwards for you if you were to attend Gallaudet. I strongly feel Gallaudet is not the place for you. I'm surprised you've even considered it."
"Ugh! You guys always tell me what to do and you never take into account how I feel and what I seek. You have always told me what was best for me according to YOU and YOUR ideals. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I NEED! Get the fuck out of my LIFE!"
*BOOM*
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Vanity of a Voice
You see a 23 year old young man, Jackson, introduce his girlfriend to his grandmother who is celebrating her 85th birthday. He attempts to articulate and fingerspell her name but stops in the middle of his effort and runs off searching for something. He returns from his truck with a notepad and a pencil.
"Grandmother, This is my girlfriend Liliana."
Grandmother takes his girlfriend's hand and asks her if she can hear. Liliana shakes her head in place of saying "No." Grandmother doesn't seem too impressed with her grandson's girlfriend but carries out a curt smile towards her, looks her over once, and walks away into the kitchen.
...no big deal...
Jackson and Liliana spend the afternoon checking out the house that he grew up visiting since he was a baby. The Big Barn in the backyard. The Tool Shed. The old rusted tractor that has forever been engulfed in a sea of weeds. Jackson told stories about games he used to play with his cousins and the wonderful barbecues his uncles would cook up. Lily was intrigued and eager to meet her boyfriend's family. She was in love with Jackson and the times spent with him had been some of the best in her life to date.
"Does anyone in your family sign?", she asked with him curiosity.
Jackson' head dropped a little and his shoulders slouched as he replied,
"No..."
Lily seems perplexed and asks with subtle amazement written all over her face,
The "No one?"
"Nope, nobody...hey, let me show you the Big Oak Tree in the pasture. C'mon, let's check it out."
They walked way out there to a huge tree and did what young couples do. You know, all that kissing and giggling and hugging and some...
...Good times...
When dinner time came around, they gathered at the table with the whole family present. Mom and Dad. Uncle Bill and Uncle Mark's families. Grandmother and Granddaddy. The Whole Family. Before passing the dishes around, they began the meal with a prayer in which all tilted their heads down as Granddaddy began to recite his dinner blessing. Jackson and Lily were the only two who did not look down. They looked up at each other, each one engrossed with the other. Nothing else mattered.
"I Love you."
"I Love you too."
With the blessing said and the dishes passed, they ate as spoken words were exchanged over and through their presence. The laughter was not shared. They really didn't care that they were not included in whatever such joy it must have been. They had each other while these conversations went on. They ate, played footsie, and made silly faces. Mom brings out the birthday cake with a few candles lit and everyone gathers around Grandmother as they sing to her.
We go with it like a routine.
La La La....la-la-la...La La La...
Ha-ppy Birth-day...
...To...You...
Grandmother looks at Liliana with disbelief and hollers to everyone, "She told me she could not hear but I just heard that young lady sing beautifully. If Jackson keeps her long enough, well, we might just be able to get him to sing as well."
Everyone laughs.
Liliana fakes a laugh.
Jackson does not.
Uncle Mike approaches Lily and asks her to ask Jackson if he wants a beer. Jackson's niece, Zoey asks Lily to sing to her, "Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star. Dad is hitting on Liliana. Aunt Kathy is asking Lily about her haircut. Suddenly, yes, suddenly she is important. Everyone wants to talk to her and get to know her.
...Why is this so?....
Grandmother hands Jackson a note with a tear in her eye, "Your girlfriend speaks really well. Don't lose her, I like her and I love you. Thank you for a wonderful birthday, I am happy for you and Lily."
...Why?...
"Grandmother, This is my girlfriend Liliana."
Grandmother takes his girlfriend's hand and asks her if she can hear. Liliana shakes her head in place of saying "No." Grandmother doesn't seem too impressed with her grandson's girlfriend but carries out a curt smile towards her, looks her over once, and walks away into the kitchen.
...no big deal...
Jackson and Liliana spend the afternoon checking out the house that he grew up visiting since he was a baby. The Big Barn in the backyard. The Tool Shed. The old rusted tractor that has forever been engulfed in a sea of weeds. Jackson told stories about games he used to play with his cousins and the wonderful barbecues his uncles would cook up. Lily was intrigued and eager to meet her boyfriend's family. She was in love with Jackson and the times spent with him had been some of the best in her life to date.
"Does anyone in your family sign?", she asked with him curiosity.
Jackson' head dropped a little and his shoulders slouched as he replied,
"No..."
Lily seems perplexed and asks with subtle amazement written all over her face,
The "No one?"
"Nope, nobody...hey, let me show you the Big Oak Tree in the pasture. C'mon, let's check it out."
They walked way out there to a huge tree and did what young couples do. You know, all that kissing and giggling and hugging and some...
...Good times...
When dinner time came around, they gathered at the table with the whole family present. Mom and Dad. Uncle Bill and Uncle Mark's families. Grandmother and Granddaddy. The Whole Family. Before passing the dishes around, they began the meal with a prayer in which all tilted their heads down as Granddaddy began to recite his dinner blessing. Jackson and Lily were the only two who did not look down. They looked up at each other, each one engrossed with the other. Nothing else mattered.
"I Love you."
"I Love you too."
With the blessing said and the dishes passed, they ate as spoken words were exchanged over and through their presence. The laughter was not shared. They really didn't care that they were not included in whatever such joy it must have been. They had each other while these conversations went on. They ate, played footsie, and made silly faces. Mom brings out the birthday cake with a few candles lit and everyone gathers around Grandmother as they sing to her.
We go with it like a routine.
La La La....la-la-la...La La La...
Ha-ppy Birth-day...
...To...You...
Grandmother looks at Liliana with disbelief and hollers to everyone, "She told me she could not hear but I just heard that young lady sing beautifully. If Jackson keeps her long enough, well, we might just be able to get him to sing as well."
Everyone laughs.
Liliana fakes a laugh.
Jackson does not.
Uncle Mike approaches Lily and asks her to ask Jackson if he wants a beer. Jackson's niece, Zoey asks Lily to sing to her, "Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star. Dad is hitting on Liliana. Aunt Kathy is asking Lily about her haircut. Suddenly, yes, suddenly she is important. Everyone wants to talk to her and get to know her.
...Why is this so?....
Grandmother hands Jackson a note with a tear in her eye, "Your girlfriend speaks really well. Don't lose her, I like her and I love you. Thank you for a wonderful birthday, I am happy for you and Lily."
...Why?...
Monday, February 7, 2011
What is an "Oral Success"?
Jimmy was considered an oral success. He said all his words and sounds the right way. He never had to repeat himself except when he didn't understand what was being said to him. His parents were so proud of him and his speaking ability that they bragged about him to friends all over the world. Jimmy can mimic sounds and imitate people. He is just a really darn good kid. You see, Jimmy was considered an oral success for much of his life but it wasn't until the day he turned 18 and finally got up and spoke for himself that he truly WAS an oral success:
"FUCK YOU Mom and Dad for never taking the time to learn American Sign Language!"
"FUCK YOU Mom and Dad for never taking the time to learn American Sign Language!"
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