Raising a Deaf Child - My Parents Share How They Found Out I Was Deaf & How They Raised Me
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ธ.ค. 2017
- Finding out your baby / child is deaf can be devastating- but it’s not the end of the world. In this video, my parents share their experience of finding out I was born deaf and their journey raising me in the hearing world.
Did you know that many hearing parents of deaf children do not learn sign language to communicate with their deaf child? Yeah, really!! I was really lucky that mine did. Growing up, I had so many people- like teachers, interpreters, people working in the deaf education field, etc. tell me all the time how lucky I was to have my parents learning sign language to communicate with me. They were amazed at how well my parents handled having a deaf baby and raising a deaf child with no prior knowledge about the deaf community and sign language.
I, myself, can’t imagine what it’s like to find out that your baby was born deaf. But I DO know that it’s not the end of the world. I was born deaf and was raised by hearing parents and I turned out okay. ;-) And my hope is that this video will reach new hearing parents to share and encourage that it’s not the end of the world if your baby is deaf. It will have some tough moments, but it’s all about perspective and learning how to adjust and live a little differently.
I wanted to interview my parents to share their story- what it was like finding out that their baby was deaf and what it was like to raise a deaf child - and also to share what they decided to do and why they made the decisions they made in hopes that hearing parents of deaf babies / children would find this and be encouraged and help them make more informed decisions. Back then, my parents didn’t have anyone to ask, & couldn't even Google it- as there wasn’t internet in 1989 when I was born. My hope with this video is that hearing parents can make more informed and educated decisions for their deaf baby / child.
I hope you enjoyed the interview!! :)
If you have any questions related to the interview video or just questions in general, feel free to comment below in the comment section. :)
ALSO- please note that this is an interview, NOT a sign language lesson. My parents’ signing is not perfect as my mom said in the interview video. They’ve made some mistakes in signing and I even signed some signs wrong ON PURPOSE so that they would understand me!! ;-)
For basic American Sign Language (ASL) lessons, watch the 25 Basic ASL Signs video series:
Part 1-
• 25 Basic ASL Signs For...
Part 2-
• 25 Basic ASL Signs For...
Part 3-
• 25 Basic ASL Signs For...
More interview videos coming soon!! Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss a video!! :)
P.S. If you’re on Instagram too, come join us on @SignedWithHeart and learn a sign or two everyday. :)
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I love what the dad said about his daughter being his best teacher, made me tearful.
It's a warm feeling to see the parents staying together as a team.
I about started crying when your mom answered the hardest part of raising a deaf child. I know its true. My eldest isn't deaf but he has other disabilities and I wish all the time I could take them away so he never suffers anything
From cerebral palsy to this beautiful, sweet and smart lady that teaches ASL like nobody on youtube 😊😊👍❤️ I love your story Ashley! So proud of you ❤️
i cant press the like button enough.
I didn't think she has cerebral palsy!! ? just that she is DEAF
@@gloriaklopping8713 She doesn't. As I understood it, they thought that at first, but then she ended developing typically, it was just her hearing that didn't.
@@j.johnson7296 that is right! they thought she had it! thanks
Hai
You are a gift from God as you are. My wife and I are both Deaf too. We both had the same frustrations of our parents trying to raise us as if we were hearing and not Deaf. Of course that didn’t work and caused more problems for us as kids because of the isolation of no one around us signing and the parents thought everything is okay. It worked out okay as we finally meet Deaf people and just immersed ourself completely in the Deaf world and culture. We felt normal finally.
god? Why did god make her deaf? Sure she is a good person so she is a gift but not from god.
Why would god give anyone a disability?
@@reflexionesdelabiblia6711 so you’re invalidating a Deaf person’s experience of being isolated from everyone around them because of an actual language barrier to you having no friends as a kid just because you moved a lot????? Think you missed the message, try again.
@@reflexionesdelabiblia6711 i’m coming back again because your comment is so ridiculous oh my god. How and why would a deaf child tell other *hearing* children to LEARN sign so they can be talked to???? You literal carrot
@@beckalee1743 you’re so hateful. All I said was that they could encourage others to learn their language. More people should learn sign language. It’s a beautiful language and opens up so many doors to communications and friendships in ways not knowing sign couldn’t when knowing dead people. Man alive are you hateful.
@@David-gj9qr
A gift of giving us someone that shares her experiences, that the deaf can learn from. The hearing can also learn from.
Hey Ashley, I’m so glad you finally got around to doing this. I’m a mom to a deaf 8 year old and really identify with your parents. When your mom was talking about how you wouldn’t hold your head up and how you wouldn’t crawl I wanted to cry. That was Isabella. The only difference was that I found our right at birth something was wrong with her hearing. But your parents were lucky that they weren’t in this day and age with so much information. At times having so much to choose from confuses you. There are still a lot of politics when it comes to deaf education. It took us a long time to reach where we are now. My 8 year old attends a mainstream program that provides a teacher of the deaf, interpreters, and other kids who all sign. We are truly blessed. Now we are working on getting an interpreter so she can understand when we go to church. Thank you for being so awesome! I look forward to seeing more content from you. 🤟🏻
This is so heartwarming
Thanks, Julia!! :) Glad you enjoyed the interview!! Thanks for watching!!
❤❤❤❤
Your mom is soo pretty, and I noticed she also has a accent, does she speak another language ?
Jill godfrey I think Spanish because her sister mentioned learning Spanish in another video
I noticed it too. I even thought she might be from the Philippines 🇵🇭 but maybe not.
she is mexican ;-)
She has like a Puerto Rican accent
Jill godfrey I'm guessing Tagalog.
Thank you so much for this! We just found out our baby is deaf and your parents reaction was just the same as ours. When your mom said she wish she could trade places’, that made me cry! That’s how I feel! Thank you for this video
God gave us hands and that is a blessing. There is still communication. There is still a way . I am glad I have vision only because of contacts. My vision is bad... I have lived and worked with the deaf...I know a deaf man near by. They live their lives well and have it easier than completely blind and vision impaired non correctible... Count your blessings.
I love how you and your family sign. I'm still learning ASL and you all sign at the perfect speed for me to understand. It's still conversational but clear.
This family is a great example of what is missing in many families nowadays. Its good to see this.
Just finished watching this. Was so amazing! I think all hearing parents of Deaf children should watch it. Now we need someone to interview you on what it’s like growing up in a hearing family. 😁👍🏼
Thank you so much for sharing this story , I have been inspired to become an interpreter and adopt deaf and mute children when I grow up ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch the interview video!! :) Aw, that's sweet that you're considering adopting deaf children someday!!
Erin, lovely you want to adopt. FYI,the term used is 'Deaf' vs "deaf and mute" The term 'mute' is no longer used,
But if you were hearing but unable to speak would you not be mute? Or is there a different term used these days? I thought what she was meaning was deaf children and/or mute children as well.@@cindynevins1753
scott edwards-gildersleeve The term would be “nonverbal” :)
scott edwards-gildersleeve Signing is speaking just with your hands. Mute means not speaking. Saying they're mute means devaluing sign language as an equal language and is therefore discriminating. Please refrain from saying mute. If you want to distinguish between the too the correct term is oral vs non-oral speaking.
her laugh is absolutely adorable!!!
Your family is beautiful. You can see how much your parents love you (and how much you love them). Truly inspiring 💙
The dad being so happy when he said he cut the cord was so cute !
2:53 😅 and that laugh from Ashley is so great
This was amazing! Thank you for the inspiration.
Ashley, this is amazing! Thank you for sharing. 💗
I absolutely loves this video. Thank you, for sharing your story.
So amazed at where life has taken you... and I'm grateful we had parents that did their best & loved you so well to give you the best chance at a wonderful life!
This is so encouraging. I’m blessed
Thanks so much for sharing! I love learning about you and your family. Also, it's really nice to hear them talking while they sign, it helps to learn it.
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Please, keep making as many videos as You can. You’re so heartwarming and I’m really inspired by your videos and I learn a lot.
It was great hearing about your childhood and journey. And you have a beautiful voice! ;)
This is an awesome interview! Thank you so much it’s very interesting
Incredible. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for sharing this, and all your videos. Big help!
Thank you for sharing, Ashley! You have a beautiful family 💗
Thank you for posting the video, it was nice to learn your background.
Aaaaaahh! You all are so adorable! This was so great to watch 🤗
Thank you SO much for putting together this interview, so helpful and so insightful. I'm so thankful for you and for all your are doing to better the world.
What tremendously wise and excellent parents ! You are all blessed.
Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing this experience. Very inspiring.
I’m so glad I found this channel!!!! I’m enjoying watching and learning!!!
Ashley, thank you for making this video. These video interviews are the perfect complement to your other videos.
Again, thank you.
Your parents are very good persons 😢😢 you are lucky to have them still around 🙏 I am so into learning ASL ❤️ I won’t stop until I can have a decent conversation with a deaf person, this is now an inclusive world, we have to make everybody feel part of it😊❤️👍
Ashley. Thank you. you helped me to remember the better parts of life.
I love how proud your parents are of you😊
This was awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Wow!! Your parents is very sweet, caring and loves.
Lovely; I so want to give the three of you a hug for this
A lot of water came out of my face on this video, I really love and appreciate this
I watched the whole video and although it was almost 40 minutes time flew by! Thank you so for making this great video and thanks to your parents for sharing their experience and their thoughts. They raised a great child and turned it into a wonderful woman . I’m happy to have learned today sign language.. just a few words but it is all thanks to you ❤️
I can’t thank you enough for being so honest in your channel this video is very sweet and I’m also learning new signs while learning about my favorite ASL TEACHER. Haha love you never quit striving on what you’re doing enjoying everything you do ❤️
It's so cool that your mum is signing at a pace I can actually understand. Good for learning 😇
This was a beautiful interview. Thank you for sharing your family story. You have wonderful parents.
I love your videos! Your sisters and parents are so loving and beautiful inside and out. All of you are blessed to have each other. What a treasure!
What a beautiful video! Ashley, middle school was miserable for all of us I think … and I can hear!
You are an amazing person! Because of you I want to continue my journey learning ASL and help with ministry in the Deaf community.
This was SO interesting. Your parents are just awesome!
Thank you for sharing, You have a beautiful family
I loved this! So inspiring and happy 😄
Thank you for taking all the time to do CC! Saw the updates on progress on Instagram
Your dad is such a sweetheart I can’t. He reminds me so much of mine
Very well done and interesting! Sweet ladies and a nice man! Thanks for helping Ashley to raise and making her feel as important as anybody else! It is a challenge for you all but also an opportunity to get closer than other families!
You are very blessed to have such a loving family.Thank you for taking the time to do this.:)
Thank you for sharing you story, Ashley (and Ashley's mom and dad!) :) You sure are loved
I loved watching this! Your parents are so amazing and God bless you and your family always 💖
These videos of you interviewing your family are so honest and interesting. You truly are blessed to have such loving sisters and parents, and it's so evident how much they care about you. I've been really enjoying all your videos, and trying to learn to sign.
I’m so glad you had a great family and you were also patient with them too so it worked out perfectly.
What a beautiful family! You are blessed! wish you much success.
That was so heartwarming!!!!!!! 💓💓💓💓💓💓 It basically shows how much your parents love her!!!!! I almost cried!!!!!!! And also I want to thank Ashley because I'm learning ASL from this channel!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!
This is such a great story. Thank you so much for sharing. I can only imagine how tough it must have been being the only deaf child in school. That was probably very lonely. It seems like your family was there for you. Thank you again for sharing.
Wow. This was beautiful,girl. :) You're truly an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your family's story.
What beautiful parents to choose to learn about the deaf community and to learn to sign. So exceptional.
What a wonderful interview! Your parents are are clearly very supportive and loving. 💕
Wonderful and very informative video, thank you to you and your parents for sharing this part of your journey. Many blessings to your entire family.
well done Ashley, great work.
Wow! This was an amazing video and I’m sure very helpful for a lot of people! My mother is deaf and father is hard of hearing and had us four kids that are hearing. It’s amazing to think that we were signing before we were even talking. You are such a sweet beautiful girl and have a wonderful family. I’ve been binge watch your videos and you are an incredibly smart woman!! 🙏🏻💗
And watching your videos Ashley, you are helping people like me as my hearing is getting worse. And being able to learn ASL from your videos and your time is helping me so much. I thank you. Greg
This interview is it for me. God bless you❤️🙏🏿 It was so beautiful❣️
Just amazing parents! Perfect relationship I can feel in my heart about you all. Thank you for sharing something so incredibly beautiful
Oh Ashley- I am SO proud of you for doing this video! I know that it has been on your heart for a long time and you and your parents did a great job! This is going to be such a great resource for parents going through this but hopefully they will listen to your parents and follow through! Love to you sweet friend! xo ♥️
Such a great video, hard to hold my tears ❤️ Pray for you sister 🙏
Your mom and dad sign so well!!
I think your family is lovely. I really appreciate their faith,thank you for sharing !
I love you Ashley! You and your parents... y’all inspire me every time I see your videos to do my very best to integrate into the deaf community!! 😊❤️
I love watching these videos because even though they aren't intended to be a sign langauge lesson, they are very helpful to have people speaking while they sign so that my eyes can focus on their hands instead of the words in a caption. So interesting to listen to them speak about their experiences, thank you for doing what you are doing
That may be the best video about growing up deaf and parenting I've seen yet! I have mild CP down my right side and I have no right ear or internal parts. Your mom's pregnancy was even strikingly similar to mine. I started watching your videos because I'm losing hearing in my left ear and I use your videos to help build my ASL vocabulary.
Beautiful caring parents, u r blessed. 🙏🏽
Ashley you are soooo amazing and mom & dad there is no words to describe the love you both have for your family.
Family love is the best. Those are some sweet loving parents.
Thank you for a touch into your lives. We lacked so much then, had to learn as we lived.
This educational video will be very informative for years.
Please thank your parents. I would be so proud of them.
YOU'RE THE MOST AMAZING LIL SIS!
Beautiful story. I've always loved the deaf and hard of hearing community and I've always had an immense respect for you all. I've taken the time to teach myself ASL and now I'm starring as a signing character in the play The Taste of Sunrise. It's a beautiful play and it really sheds light on the D&HH community
It’s wonderful to see how much your parents love you! You are very blessed with parents who worked hard to learn to communicate with you and give you what they felt was best. I know this story can be rare sometimes in the deaf community. 😊
Ashley I loved this video and thank you for taking the time to not only make it but caption it. It is very much appreciated.
I have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears and have worn hearing aids since I was 6 years old. I also went to regular schools but never learned sign language. I am learning now through your channel and school. Anyways, I really think that this shows that God never gives us anything we can’t handle. He gave you the perfect parents/family to raise you into the amazing person you are now. God bless and Merry Christmas!!
Your dad fingerspells like a BOSS! #goals As a beginner in ASL I love watching your videos!
Thanks for the video. I can understand, Love is what really matter. And, we keep trying, I learn.
Thank you for posting this! I can hear (I think you’d say I am hearing?), but I have been extremely interested in sign language for the past several months, and your videos have helped me learn the importance of sign language and just understanding your world which I think is important for the hearing world to understand how it is and isn’t different for you and the deaf community. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you. Thank you so much again.
Thank you for sharing these interviews! My son is hard of hearing with cochlear implants and deaf without, and we are leaning to sign, but it's rare for me to find conversational sign videos that I can follow along with! And a story that I can identify with very well too! It's very helpful. Thanks again!
Such loving and supportive parents 😭
I cried so much at this video. Thank you Ashley, and parents for sharing your story. God is faithful-- and I see Him all over your story!!! 😍❤️
I love this! Thanks so much for sharing this. I'm a college student who's learning ASL, and this was super helpful and inspiring. I used to work with deaf people a little when I was a missionary in DC, and I learned a bit there, but I'm excited to learn even more now. Thanks for helping! God bless you!
I took ASL couple of years ago and I still do self study with books but when came across your video, I decided to subscribe and learn more. Love the segment with your sisters.
Wow this is so beautiful, God is SO good! And you are an amazing young woman with so much love and a heart to serve others, it’s very obvious. God bless you and your family. ❤️
Thank you for sharing Ashley! I enjoyed it very much. About a month ago, my co-worker told me that he has been learning ASL from your TH-cam channel and showed it to me. When I saw your video, I immediately recognized face. I realized you are from San Diego. I had seen you around in school field trips a few times but we never met. I came from Lafayette Elementary. I just found out that you became a well known ASL TH-camr! I just started my own TH-cam channel and wanted to be like you! Thank you for creating ASL videos. It definitely helps my co-worker, my hearing friends learn sign language!
Ashley your parents are very patient you can just tell glad you had such amazing support growing up, love your channel. ❤
You're parents are amazing they did an awesome job 👏🏼👏🏼 great video by the way... 👍🏼😎. Yahi.