Mao's Last Dancer and wife Mary Li on raising their deaf daughter, Sophie | Australian Story
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 เม.ย. 2021
- When the daughter of Mao’s Last Dancer Li Cunxin was diagnosed as profoundly deaf, his wife made an enormous sacrifice. Subscribe: bit.ly/3l7kXcR
Mary Li gave up her international ballet career to devote herself to teaching Sophie to hear and speak by way of cochlear implants.
But when Sophie became an adult, she began to question her parents’ earlier decisions.
As she embraced the deaf and signing community, Sophie had a choice to make - did she still want to be part of the hearing world of her family?
Read more: ab.co/3dYVYnu
#AustralianStory #MaosLastDancer #RaisingDeafKids
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It's so touching to see how much her parents love her.
OMG, I remember crying after reading the book “Mao’s last dancer”, and it’s so good to hear about him again after many years. Wishing all the best for him.
You should read Mary's last dance as well. It brings the story full circle and reduced me to tears
I have a sister who is profoundly deaf and I'm doing a masters in speech pathology. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it inspires me to continue to work as hard as I can.
How wonderful to read that their experience can probably help you.
I am deaf myself with cochlear implant. I relate to her story. It good to start young to speak so you can have better speech development. Sign language can be learned later on. Because you have to train your brain to listen and speak. Sign language is very visual and quickly to adapt. Learning to speak will be harder if you decided to speak when you get older. Now Sophie got the best of two worlds.
Science doesn’t support your facts
No reason why a deaf child can't learn Sign language AND speech. The comment that was made in the video that doctors recommended the oral method because if you teach the child sign, they will not speak and/or lose/stop speaking- is a total myth. The fact that was still happening in 1989 (and even today in 2021...) is frustrating. I am Deaf- I grew up oral aka mainstreamed- hearing aids- speech therapy. And no other deaf kids around other than the several pre-K programs (all oral) I was in. I went to Gallaudet- and learned sign (American Sign Language) and found myself to be more at ease than I had ever been before.
I met many different deaf- Profoundly deaf who had good speech AND great ASL skills. Moderately deaf whose speech was not the best in the world and harder to understand and great ASL. And those of us who learned ASL later- most of the friends I knew didn't stop speaking. And while yes sign language is a visual language I met quite a few people who had a HARD time adapting/learning- so it wasn't and isn't very quickly! Took me a few years to be semi fluent (and sadly I'm rusty now :( ).
As Mary stated in the video- Access to language happens between the ages of 1 and 5 (and even before age 1)- focusing on oral/speech the child still misses A LOT (as an adult - I'm 56- I still do and still struggle badly in the hearing world no matter HOW good my hearing and speech are). Offering both fills in all the blanks. Oh yes... lipreading... most of the time you can only get about 30%; rarely does anyone get more than 50% by lipreading.
I'm not deaf, but I was thinking the same thing. I'm glad Sophie can do both.
I remember Li during his time in Houston, and he was wonderful to watch.
You are correct. Some Deaf adults have gotten CIs---mainly for safety. They can hear traffic and hear their babies crying. But most of them don't speak. Older kids get them and don't speak clearly. The younger, the better, if being part of the hearing world is what you want for your child. know 2 girls who were born deaf. The elder sister got her CI when she was about 7; the other as an infant. The elder sister speaks well, but her speech is definitely that of a Deaf person. The younger sister speaks perfectly unless you notice the CI, you would never know! The brain of an infant is extremely pliable and makes all kinds of new pathways. With all the advancements in AI, science has proved that you can integrate the human brain with computers and make them seamless. You can always learn sign language. But if you don't learn speaking early on, your life choices will be very, very limited. Yes, there you can have a career and a successful life---but most people in the world are hearing, and the majority of jobs require the ability to communicate with speech. Sophie's parents gave her the best gifts---love and the ability to communicate beautifully with everyone in the English-speaking world. I know a Deaf girl (w/ a CI) who speaks both English and German beautifully. She does sign. But she is married to a hearing husband and has hearing children. So I know that she is very happy about her parents' choices.
I wonder how painful having cochlea implant?
I just can’t get over the love that jumps of the screen, such beautiful loving parents
So many Deaf who were forced to speak and “hear” . The identity crisis she had is honestly not uncommon. I’m soooooo happy her parents are learning to sign.
@Sheree Boulton I had to try REALLY hard to not rip into people in this. I’m so sorry you had to grow up like this.
@Sheree Boulton I am sorry to read your story. The Ablest centric world has so much to learn still. If you don't mind me asking, would you like to learn Auslan? It is still possible, if you would like to. Have you considered contacting your local state Deaf Society? Each state has one and Auslan classes are run through them, or they can advise you where to go.
I was born profoundly deaf 10% in one ear and nothing in the other. My mother also brought me up to speak.
I read Li's book after I heard him speak at a corporate function in about 2003. What an incredible life he and his family have led. I'm glad Sophie has explored her deaf identity and now moves between the deaf and hearing worlds as she sees fit 😊
First Li you'd journey must have been more than more westerners would comprehend. Amazing that you have danced loved and raised a beautiful family. Mary your selfless act as a Mother to ensure your beautiful daughter would do the best she could. Hindsight is a nice thing but as parents you gave it your All. As for Sophie you were given the best that your parents were able to give you with love. You now have carried forward the choices of your decisions bravely. Your siblings have also been heros in the story.
I am moved by you all with love from across the ditch your Kiwi "cousin"❤❤❤❤❤
Only parents can feel, appreciate and understand the depth of this love. In a world so broken, dejected and lacking in loving communication, Mary&Li, you have passed with flying colors. I salute you both! God Bless you and your family, victoriously!
I applaud the mom for her greatest love and sacrifices for her daughter( from a mother’s perspective). She did what she thought was best for Sophia. I hope she’ll understand someday the sacrifices of hard work and tears mum has done for her. I think she will when she becomes a parent herself! I’m happy they reconciled. I’m proud of the dad’s response, especially coming from a Chinese culture. He just love both of them so much you could tell❤️
Wish them the very best👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
09
The fact that Sophie could speak like a normal person is incredible!
The fact Sophie could speak 'with the hearing community' is incredible. Able bodied people aren't the "normal" ones.
That is all thanks to her mum and dad. What a sacrifice..
It must've hurt her mum so bad when Sophie took out the cochlear implants. But I guess it goes to show that you can't fully control your childs thoughts, destiny or future. They have to decide for themselves eventually. All you can do as parents is to provide support and any guidance. But don't close them off to worlds that you may not fully understand, as it could actually be better for the kids when they are growing up. Her parents had a clear bias against the deaf community. But if only they stopped and realise that sign language is the default language for deaf people, simply because it is so much easier for them to communicate with one another.
If only Sophie knew about this much earlier, she may have enjoyed her time growing up much better.
Your comment suggests that Sophie is not a "normal person." She's a normal person who is deaf.
I know a young lady with an implant and you wouldn't know she has one unless she tells you. She had the implant put in as a toddler, 13 months. She speaks perfectly and hears perfectly, the implant technology is improved compared to the time the young lady in the video had hers implanted.
I don't think her parents were biased against the deaf community, I think they were just trying to do what was they thought was best. They were trying to give her the best possible future. But hind sight is 20/20. You don't know when you have not yet experienced. But the bottom line is the outcome. Look how everything turned out. Yes it was a rough road, but look at what an incredible young woman they raised! And as much the truth hurt, they listened to her needs in the end and accepted and supported her . I think she really benefited from having both sides in the end. Life is soooo difficult especially for people with different needs, but our pain, when looked at correctly and with support from others, helps us come out stronger. Then we can learn and help and inspire others just as they have with their painful and beautifully honest story. Being a mom of a special needs child, you feel lost and not sure what to do. You've no experience with what this new thing is and you can let it overcome you or research and get in there to help your child be the best they can be. And that's what a parent should do. I think her parents were wonderful even though they made mistakes. We all do. And I think their daughter is a very strong and beautiful woman. 💕💕💕
When I saw Sophies parents learning sign language it brought tears to my eyes.
I could say in our country never could happened such education and help for such kind of children.
Incredible story! We are so very very lucky to have Li Cunxin in Queensland
I was not born deaf, I was in a bad wreck when I was twenty one. It blew out my left ear drum and damaged my right. People think I am weird because I stare at them. They do not realize I am reading their lips. People think I am rude because I do not respond, but I can not hear. It is rough. I am glad the young lady is doing well. The parents danced beautifully.
Reading lips is hard! You must be really good at adapting.
I don't know your situation, but perhaps you might find learning sign language useful? I had only studied it for one semester, when it became clear that it was an advantage. I suddenly found myself feeling sorry for hearing people who can't communicate across distances, through closed windows and cars, or when they don't want others included in a conversation. Acquiring an additional means of communication like sign language won't improve your hearing, but it will open up an entire community of people who use it, and provide you with opportunities for enjoyable communication and meaningful connection.
However you continue on your journey, I wish you much success!
Que lecciòn de vida
I don't want to say you're "weird" but YES, it can be taken as Rude! You said this happen at 21 yrs of age ...But didn't say your age now? The fact that you already read lips and that's not an easy task, but sign language would really do you well to know! I am confused as to why YOU seem to be the one making it "odd" the deaf community is quite large and you're missing out on wonderful ppl and experiences......
@@amyzamora9502 I am fifty six and no it was not easy to learn to read lips. I live in Appalachia there is no deaf community and I have never met a person who could sign. In this part of America we are off the radar.
@@wendybusby9415 I think being mean to strangers on the internet, without even knowing their full story is the real rude behaviour here! Thank you for sharing your story and I hope people in your local community are now supportive of your communication needs.
I'm so glad that this documentary is talking about deaf culture/identity and not having to be a hearing person. The parents did what they knew ...but are making up for lost time
The parents did whatever they thought would give their daughter the best life. I commend them for that !!!!!
I had a weird cross over with this story. I'm Mary's age and was in Rocky during my high-school years. Later I studied teaching and learning Auslan in Brisbane (intending to become a teacher for the deaf). This was right at the time of the growth of the deaf-pride movement, with the issue around oral and sign blowing up. (And at the same time, my boyfriend was the lead dancer at the QLD ballet!)
I had become involved in sign because a friend of mine in Melb was deaf but relied on oral. One night at a party the lights went out and I realised just how deaf she really was. I talked to her about it and said I thought she should learn to sign. To support her I started learning it with her. As a result, she went on this same journey as Sophie of really embracing her deaf identity, and eventually working in deaf-support services.
Absolutely one of the most heartwarming tributes to a familys love and dedication
It was a hard road for Sophie but it sounds like that she is now grateful that she has the ability to communicate with everyone, both hearing and deaf. She has choices that many deaf people don't. Li and Mary may have made mistakes along the way and should have let her have access to the deaf community earlier, but it seems that Sophie is grateful now for her ability to function in both worlds. What wonderful loving parents they are and its lovely to see them embracing her life choices and making the effort to learn how to communicate with her in sign.
Beautiful story! Like Sophie, l am Deaf and proud of my Deaf culture/identity!
What a beautiful family story, I hope for all days they are blessed and happy.
It really is breathtaking to watch them dance together..... They move so effortlessly together.
What a beautiful, inspiring story of love, courage, dedication, humility in a family! Sophie is beautiful inside and out, and she and the parants are lucky having each other in their lives.
A family oozing with love, very moving and a breath of loud fresh air!
Sophie has a great deal of success with the implant due to the extreme support of her family and therapists. She expressed how much an impact her loss had on her social development. Many children never achieve her level of communication. Access to language is critical. Sign language is a visual language is a complete, accessible language for the Deaf.
Hello how are you doing 😊😊😊
Her parents were told to not follow the sign language route in fairness to them. When it comes from a professional you tend to follow their advice
I'm from Malaysia. I chanced upon this video. It's really inspiring and adds one more notch to understanding my Deaf wife who can speak as well as sign. I sign too after going for courses. We struggled during our courting days because I had no inkling what it's like to be part of a Deaf community. So, I let down my guard to learn the rules of being Deaf. Today we still have our little arguments because I have no patience (:-P) but we are getting along just fine communicating. I interpret for her when she can't hear others so we do help each other this way. I hope to be a fully-fledged interpreter one day. She did ask once howI would feel if we ever have a Deaf child together. I said it'll be okay. I've come a long way. And... gues what I have many more friends in the Deaf world now , not only here in Malaysia but across the world because of my wife who took in upon herself to attend world Deaf conferences one of which I was a part ot and we made friends that way. Also, through The Catholic World Youth Day, she made friends from around the world whom I got to know> Amazing! She's been to countries I can only dream of like Italy, China etc. That's my wonderful and understanding Deaf wife! I will not have it any other way... God bless all of you!
What a beautiful job Sophies parents did of imparting knowledge we all take for granted; in saying that I spent time in rehabilitation following a TBI and was one of the few who could understand the majority of people following a stroke - learn to listen it’s a simple ratio rule - 2 ears and 1 mouth ✌🏽🇦🇺
I read Mao's Last Dancer and watched the movie. Li and Mary are such beautiful humans, dancers and parents. So moved by their love and understanding for Sophie. I cried seeing after all her sacrifice Mary supported Sophie and started to learn sign language.
Have you read Mary book?
I felt very akin to Li and Mary having gone through the exact same journey with my profoundly deaf daughter who was taught English by me through a thing called "Cued " speech. She was able to learn sign language at Primary school, she attended a State run Hearing impaired unit. As a parent you want your child to be able to talk so that they can ask directions in the outside World because the rest of the World does not know sign language. She is much more comfortable in the deaf World because of the commonality of sign language and always will be. She had cochlear implant at age nine but does not rely on it for speech, however she can hear cars coming when crossing the road. I also felt sad that I had done what I thought was best for her and she has told me she feels very alienated around " hearings " even me. I did my best and she went also to University and is employed to now teach sign language.
I have a deaf 🧏♀️ daughter and I really enjoyed this video.
Hello how are you doing 😊😊😊
Sophie has options - yet so wonderful for her to find natural fulfilment with ASLAN - so educational to understand humans still need connection and humour in their own way. Brilliant young lady - a credit to herself and her parents.
So funny/cool that he has a Chinese-Australian accent! You can hear both influences in his voice.
My grand daughter, now 14, was born prematurely at 23 weeks and weighed a mere 485 grams, with breathing difficulties requiring c-pap, which resulted in infection after infection, causing deafness. She has coped well, now in the middle of high school also with some assistance, as little as it may be, of hearing aids. She is a self taught lip reader. So her family can relate to Sophie and her famiy's story.
What a beautiful, inspiring story of art, ballet, family, sacrifice, and family reunion! Thank you so much!
What an extraordinary and lovely family. The dancing is superb and very moving and such a pleasure to watch. God bless your family all of your days.
We all need to support each other .... sign language .... lip reading or speech 💗❤️
This is a beautiful story of love , sacrifices and choices.
YT suggested this vid and glad they did. Really beautiful and full circle.
Everyone is different. I was born profoundly deaf 10% in one ear and nothing in the other. My mother also brought me up to speak and lipread. I'm grateful for her steadfastness and love. Society 60 years ago basically rejected deaf people. In fact mum was told to put me into an institution and forget she ever had me. As an adult i learnt Auslan and went to deaf club but i didn't feel welcome and no one was willing to go slow so i could follow conversation. They treated me worst than hearing people do. I went 3 times then gave up. Sadly my signing was not up to conversational standard. I'm not shy but i did feel totally out of my depth.
I’m so sorry to hear that. I wish you well 🤗
I understand how much this mum suffered twice. Possibly the second time when her daughter rejected her for the decision and sacrifice early age was even more hurtful.
Exactly. I can’t imagine how many kids and parents in the 3rd world would’ve loved to have had the resources her parents had to invest in her hearing/speaking so she could live as normal as possible.
You might enjoy Mary’s book “Mary’s Last Dance” which follows on from Li’s book and gives her perspective.
Amaing amazing, how wonderful these parents didnt bend to the stigma of deafness but to help their daughter succeed
Thank you for bringing us this moving and educational human interest story.
Beautiful and insightful. Thank you ! It’s really remarkable and heartwarming how this family comes together finally through the hurt, fears, sadness, anger and frustrations. God bless this amazing and inspiring family!
I went deaf at 45 due to illness. I have a cochlear implant but it is still hard. I tried to learn Auslan by myself but it is hopeless if no one else in your family will learn it as you have no one to practice with. The first time I met some deaf people was the first time I didn't feel broken and defective. It's so important for deaf children to know this. You are not defective and, less than, your family and peers. You are just different. Most parents of deaf children don't learn Auslan and don't realise that their children are missing out on a lot because they won't meet them half way.
What an inspiration and what a wonderful family that shows how you can embrace 'finding the true you and being your own you' and accepting the decisions you made in life. Wonderful to see how they show you are never old enough to learn. Sophie is a true inspiration. Her resilience, hard work as well as compassion is bringing joy and understanding to people's lives.
She is an Amazing mom that taught job. I feel sad she migth have cried a lot alone.And smile a lot front her children.
This was s great story, really enjoyed it and learnt alittle about being deaf.
True love is being able to give up everything for that person.
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode of Australian Story. What a beautiful family.
What a moving story. Love from everyone involved. Meeting in the middle is the wisest option, always.
With Nazis?
Thank you for making such a beautiful documentary. My 6-yo is profoundly deaf and we also follow auditory-verbal therapy to teach her to hear and speak. I think this story is not about oral vs sign but more about a family who make their effort to give and take in order to overcome their different views and needs.
Made me cry. What an amazing story.
You might enjoy Mary’s book “Mary’s Last Dance” which follows on from Li’s book and gives her perspective.
🙏🙏 beautiful Australian story.
Her parents absolutely made the right choice to have her learn how to speak and now she has the choice to speak or use sign language! Is it better than just only know sign language?! She should be appreciative and grateful for what her parents did and continue doing for her.
Actually, it wasn't the right choice for her because she felt isolated, especially at school. When she came home and asked her mother to teach her to be funny, that should have been a signal for her parents to look at another alternative. Both parents ignored the child's needs for almost her entire middle childhood and young adult life. When the daughter found out that she could call someone because there was a service available, she was furious at her parents. Indeed her parents remind me of many white parents who adult Asian and African children and try to raise them color blind. Eventually, this catches up with the parent when the child fully realizes he/she is not accepted in the general society as a full person. That's when the trouble begins because the parents were more worried about their issues than what the child really needs. The daughter left and she was right to do so. The daughter isn't being ungrateful, but realized her parents had abused her in their quest for her to speech. Her life, although privilege, did not allow her to live up to her full potential as a child and teen until she joined the deaf community. Now, I don't want to overly criticize the parents because they did a great job, but they are ballet dancers who don't see things clearly because their profession picks on imperfections and weakness. It's a known fact that dancers rarely feel good about themselves and constantly criticize each other. One has to ask, who profited the most from being forced to speak. Naturally, you'd say the daughter, but it was the parents who wanted to make their family lives easier by trying to normalize a disability. In the end, the daughter went back to her "tribe" and the siblings had to learn sign language. Although the daughter wasn't ungrateful, she didn't speak to the parents for a long time. That's a sign of anger and betrayal. I seriously admire the mother especially for sacrificing her dance career to make sure their daughter could speak. However, I feel it is a form of psychological abuse when parents deny their children's true selves.
@@fredrika27
You gave a very interesting perspective. It is good to look at things from different angles. I totally understand the example you gave on adopted kids.
@@leanderrowe2800 Thank you for understanding me and not taking offense. It was not my intention to offend, but to explain how I understood the daughter so well. The gift of communication was taken away from her and it made her less of a person. This also happens to interracially parents when the parents don't learn how to take care of their children's hair and skin. No, your child doesn't have 1A hair, but 4C which needs to be handled differently. It's about learning how to treat and comb the hair. However, parents have to be willing to want to learn. The parents in this documentary were only willing to learn and change when their daughter gave push back. Then she was able to grow as an individual and do the things such as graduate from college that her parents wanted from her.
@@fredrika27 Wonderful analysis! Thank you so much Frederika!
@@naomideguyane You're welcome!
So much of this family's story resonated. If my daughter wants to keep on or take off her processors, it's her choice.
Such a poignant yet beautiful story of love... loss, sacrifice, misunderstanding, struggle, pain, regret and yet best of all... reconnecting, resilience, and strength. Tested by fire, yet, through it all, LOVE dramatically came full circle, fully manifested for and by all.
-Such a satisfyingly beautiful true life story. God bless each member of this family.
What a beautiful story of family love and dedication. I am aware of Mum & Dad's story and Mao's Last Dancer is one of my favourite books and movies... But this story of familial love goes above and beyond the fame previously out in the public domain 😍😍
What a beautiful family so dedicated and filled with so much love. Blessings to you all.
Mother’s love is immeasurable. They are beautiful family. Both mum and dad are wonderful person.
Bought Moa's last dancer when it first came out. Loved this book . Loved this guy, he was a hero, a true hero.
Then he gets what some people would call a blow, but like a true hero he and his wife rose to the task and conquered it
What a credit to them their preciouse daughter is. Her speaking skills are perfect, you would never know she can not hear.
This just shows you how so strong this family really is.
The man's accent is a combination Asian and Australian! Love it.
With a touch of Texas drawl. Very unique indeed!
My daughter had cancer at 3 & unfortunately hurt her hearing but saying that we took the time to look at her as we spoke so she could lip read .
For you both to have taken the time while letting your career go .. I will totally adore & respect ❤️
I’m just a normal mum .... you both are incredible dancers 🙏🏼💗
Well done Mary, Sophie, and Li.
An amazing and precious family.
I’m the lady who had the honor
of holding sweet Sophie’s head,
as she fell asleep with her head
on the window on the way to the
Great Wall. God’s continued blessings
to a family who has inspired the world.
Love, Rebecca (Leticia’s Mama)
What a beautiful, emotionally inspiring and lovely life story. I understand what Auslan means but now after watching this story, I feel the spirit of the word. Thank you for sharing Sophie's choice with all of us.
What a beautiful AMAZING story.... a journey so tough by any means and the strength and resilience of this family is truly extraordinary. From both parents individual upbringings, to their journey as parents and teaching Sophie to speak and then learn sign as well. I'm in absolute awe.... from NZ with love and admiration to your inspirational family 💖💖💖
I always thought profoundly deaf that one could never quite articulate the pronouncination, Mary has proved anything is possible.
I’m profoundly deaf but intensive speech therapy helped me to speak normally as possible
if i pronounced a word wrong i`d get corrected LOL no matter what i cannot for the life of me say exhaust lol
This story brings tears.
The speech pathologists tells you were your tongue is when you pronounce. Speak from chest or nasal. They give tips, and you also can feel the vibration when you make sounds.
@@jospringall964 - do people know you are saying exhaust? That is the main thing. But to get a more accurate pronunciation, has anyone broken it down for you in different ways?
Like - can you say "ex-husband", for example? Or "example"?
If so, it should be not a stretch to say "ex-ost" with an "o" that sounds like the the "o" in the woman's name "Donna".
Or maybe your "ex" sound is not coming out like "eks"? I do not know how you mispronounce exhaust, but maybe those breakdowns can help.
An amazing human story from all aspects. True heros all of them
Such wise & loving parents! A beautiful couple in & out💕
So many lessons to be drawn from this amazing documentary. Thank you.
What a beautiful and touching story!! Thank you for sharing !
What an emotional story.... well done to the entire family, what a huge inspiration for overcoming many different problems
Loved watching this Australian Story. Parents do the best they can.
What a lovely lovely story. So many examples of strength. Blessings to all of you!
Absolutely inspirational!
It is uncommon sacrifice and beautiful love that sets this family apart.
Unconditional love within a family! Awesome , inspirational and heart warming!
I've read Moa's Last Dancer many years ago, it was one of the best autobiography!!
THIS IS JUST SOOOO BRILLIANT! Well done guys for capturing the story so beautifully.
A Heartfelt Loving story of dedication; truly an Inspiration for Loving All That IS. Thank You!!!
I enjoyed this so much. I have huge respect for the parents doing what they thought was best, and huge respect for the daughter for understanding why they did what they did. It's wonderful to see the parents now learning sign language too. This documentary will be a valuable teaching tool for many parents of profoundly deaf children.
Such a beautiful story...if only every child were so fortunate to experience this level of love and care.
Beautiful story of love. Mary and Li you’re exemplary parents to Sophie and Sophie, you finally found yourself in both worlds. Congratulations to all of you!
Awesome family and a "AWESOME MOTHER." So much love from the parents, your family will be a inspiration to other's.
Thank you for sharing, many blessings for the future.
What a beautiful story. I love seeing Sophie living her life in both worlds hearing and non hearing because of the sacrifice of both parents. TFS such a lovely story. 💕🐶💕🐶💕🙋♀️💕🥰💕💕💐
Li & family are incredible - I was blessed to meet Li at a private talk about his life, had already seen his movie & strangely enough had heard of Li before he became well known. Australia is a very lucky country to have this beautiful family
What a beautiful story ! It touch my heart . The most important thing is they are together and happy despite all the struggle they had.❤️
Amazing ..the love of mum and dad and determination and struggles they achieved for their daughter to have a normal life. Just wonderful.
Life sometimes takes us to unexpected journey and we need to put all our strength to solve and makes decisions and sacrifices ,to give hope and makes the lives of people around us better.
SOFIE HONOR your Mothers SACRIFICE, BECAUSE as a deaf child she PUT you first and didn't look back at her passion, for the LOVE of you her child......Sofie you have a mother worth GOLD, and should honor and respect her decision to make you independent in this world of sound you can hear the ocean, birds, traffic, but most important your parent's voice, and other deaf person would give the world to hear this WORLD . This mother gave her daughter the greatest treasure in the world and that's communication and all love and dedication all her sacrifice to give her daughter independence . God bless this Mother HAPPY MOTHERS DAY 2021. This is what real Mothers do!!!!
Thank you fir sharing your Sophie’s Choice with us. God bless you & I hope you will show us some of Mary’s comeback to ballet 💗
What beautiful, inspiring, and informative s story. I'm so glad that the mother and daughter were able to come to an understanding. And it's wonderful that they were willing to share their story. How many parents of deaf children could come to a better understanding of what their child may need in the way of support and role models by watching this video.
It was a beautiful story. I was almost in tears watching the story. I may say sacrifice leads to success, understanding and hope for the better. To Mary and Li , I hope this inspires others .... life must go on ...
What an incredible family. Love the parents ❤❤❤
Phenomenal humans. So inspiring
Such an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing. Your path took the grace of your artistic talents and applied to finding solutions to the difficulty in life. Oh so beautiful! 😍
What a beautiful story of true love and giving love unconditional to our children.
What an incredible story. We don’t always know what is best... we have to do our very best... Tough journeys for everyone here. Thank you for sharing!
Waht a touching story. Such a great family with up and downs that made them stronger!