Sunday 5th October 2005
Today I spent some time with Krystal and Colin's two year old daughter. I had a very interesting experience with her. Even though her both parents are Deaf, she could hear. However, she is very quiet in disposition. I remember the first time I spoke to her. She looked at me...no she stared at me for some time and seemed a bit confused that I could speak. She never spoke to me though. I cant remember her ever speaking when I thin
k about it. I observed how Krystal communicates with her. Krystal is hearing impaired so she is able to articulate some of her words. She actually talks to her daughter and she understands because she obeys when she is corrected verbally.
I cant help but wonder if the Deaf world is a more secure environment for such children and even though they seem to be somewhat taken back that a hearing person is within their predominantly Deaf environment, they are ever so shy to speak. Well, of course, these are only two isolated experiences and I have only met them for a few hours so it is difficult to deduce anything.
Today I spent some time with Krystal and Colin's two year old daughter. I had a very interesting experience with her. Even though her both parents are Deaf, she could hear. However, she is very quiet in disposition. I remember the first time I spoke to her. She looked at me...no she stared at me for some time and seemed a bit confused that I could speak. She never spoke to me though. I cant remember her ever speaking when I thin
k about it. I observed how Krystal communicates with her. Krystal is hearing impaired so she is able to articulate some of her words. She actually talks to her daughter and she understands because she obeys when she is corrected verbally.Well, my interest peaked and I was concerned about her language development. So after trying in vain to get a response from her through conversation, I tried something else. My phone seemed to gasp her attention so I began to play the ring tones for her and danced along. Wow! What a difference that made! She loved it! Yet she still would not speak.
Kyesha is another hearing little girl about three years old with Deaf parents. I met her at Christopher's birthday lime. Her response to me was similar to Krystal and Colin's daughter. When she heard me speaking I realised that she began to stare
at me as well. I then spoke to her but she only blushed shyly. She would not speak to me at all. Her mom, like Krystal, is also able to articulate some of her words. I suspect that she is also hearing impaired. Yet she signs and speaks to her daughter and Kyesha responds by signing. It was really intriguing to look at her sign. It is so amazing to know that even though Kyesha had stared and smiled at me for the entire afternoon, she refused to speak to me.
at me as well. I then spoke to her but she only blushed shyly. She would not speak to me at all. Her mom, like Krystal, is also able to articulate some of her words. I suspect that she is also hearing impaired. Yet she signs and speaks to her daughter and Kyesha responds by signing. It was really intriguing to look at her sign. It is so amazing to know that even though Kyesha had stared and smiled at me for the entire afternoon, she refused to speak to me. I cant help but wonder if the Deaf world is a more secure environment for such children and even though they seem to be somewhat taken back that a hearing person is within their predominantly Deaf environment, they are ever so shy to speak. Well, of course, these are only two isolated experiences and I have only met them for a few hours so it is difficult to deduce anything. I also remember meeting Crystal's daughter some Sundays later (Sun 26 Oct '08). Crystal seems to be hearing impaired as well because she was articulating some of her words when she talked to her daughter. Well when I attempted to talk to h
er daughter she shyly looked at me and smiled. I'm not sure if this is just the average way a child responses to a stranger or just that it seems strange to talk to a hearing person especially in a Deaf environment or a mixture of these two factors. Maybe I just scare the poor children!! lol
er daughter she shyly looked at me and smiled. I'm not sure if this is just the average way a child responses to a stranger or just that it seems strange to talk to a hearing person especially in a Deaf environment or a mixture of these two factors. Maybe I just scare the poor children!! lolAnyway, I must include Neil and his wife's two sons. They are about twelve and ten years old. They are VERY talkative, energetic and friendly children. I must stress that they are very talkative. The younger brother more so than the older one. They know sign language and communicate naturally with the Deaf. It was particularly impressive to see them code switch between each other and the Deaf.
I wonder what their world must be like... hmmm for me I appreciate the silent company. I embrace the presence of so many of my Precious-es and I'm able to enjoy the silence which is only interrupted or maybe even complimented by occassional laughter and minimal responses. There is also an intrigue and consequent beauty in hearing these small outbursts in isolation. What's even more intriguing is the communication within the silence.
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