I am becoming bilingual!
March 11th, 2008
I have always wanted to learn another language. I have played around with French and Spanish, never sticking to either one of them, so I know enough to sound stupid. I also learned a few cuss words in German from my old man too. Now (starting tomorrow night), however, I am beginning to learn sign language.
My wife and I just learned that my son Luke (he is soon to turn 3) is hearing impaired. Luke is most likely 100% deaf in his right ear and the doctors think he has about 30% capacity in his left ear. A few months ago we began noticing that he wasn’t hearing us real well and his speach development was a lot further behind than his bigger brother and sister at this stage in their lives. We decided to take him in a few weeks ago for testing and sure enough, we heard from the doctor what we thought we might. We have since learned that there is a possibility that his hearing is progressively getting worse, therefore, we decided it would be important to learn sign language.
My wife Gina has been signing for years. She learned it while ago in high school in order to serve in the deaf ministry in her home church. The class we are taking will be a refresher for her. For me, it is a brand new thing. I am a bit anxious about it to be completely honest.
Anyway, I would appreciate your prayers for my son and if you have a hearing impaired child (or first hand experience with a parent, sibling, friend, etc.) I would also appreciate any advice you might be kind enough to give.
Although saddened for Luke, we are grateful that he is healthy, well and such a wonderful kid! We are blessed…
March 12th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Chris -
Michelle and I are praying for you in the days ahead. I know that you as a family will overcome whatever obstacles this will throw at you. I look forward to learning from you during this season of life.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:43 am
thanks matt! i appreciate your prayers…
March 12th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Chris -
Len Evan’s sent me this link knowing that you would be coming here to Lubbock. I am encouraged by your blog of learning sign language. I am a deaf ed teacher here in Lubbock. So many of my parents don’t ever learn to communicate with their children. It simply breaks my heart. Signing - communicating - with a deaf child as with any child makes the biggest difference in their lives - socially, academically, and emotionally. Your family will be in my prayers as you encounter this new challenge in life.
Karen
- And here is the real encouragement from one who is totally tone deaf with languages - you don’t have to worry at all about pronunciation!
March 12th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
You will use it every day with your son and you will learn it quick enough that way! It is amazing what love and need do for our ability to learn. I lost most of my hearing learned sigh in HS. I needed it to pass my classes. I get along fine in the hearing world but when I needed it I learned fast. Most of the signs are logical and that helps too. Praying for you and your family.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:37 am
karen-
thanks for stopping by! also, thank you for the encouraging words. our first class last night was very fun and i learned a ton. for instance, i had no idea there were various philosophies and sects of signing. this morning our family was running around the house signing various things to each other… thanks for your prayers. please keep in contact. blessings.
chris
March 13th, 2008 at 8:39 am
chris-
thanks for stopping by … and for your prayers! yeah, you are right. the signs are very logical. i think i’ll be able to pick it up (with consistent class attendance and practice) rather quickly. blessings.
chris
March 13th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Wow, bro… I’m sure this is the kind of news that racalibrates your life on many levels. What’s most exciting for me is that God has trusted you to take care of this amazing boy, which means He must think you’re pretty amazing, too. Praying for you and Gina to walk in this new cadence of life with clean hearts.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Dude
My daughter has some hearing problems in her left ear. My son had double spinal surgery three years ago to correct major scoliosis.
What I’ve learned with both of them is that kids adapt, roll, compensate, and adjust better than most…hell, ALL adults. I just look at your boy’s face and know that everything will be okay.
Peace
Steve
March 13th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I love ASL. In college, I had to take two years of ASL. I feel in love with the deaf culture. It is really fascinating culture.
This is a culture that feels soo alienated from the “hearing” culture.
Even though I met a college requirement, I am thankful that I had such exposure to the deaf culture. I go out of my way to communicate with my fellow ASL friends. They are blown away when I stop them and begin to sign.
March 15th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Hey bro, thanks for sharing your life. I grew up with a hearing impaired father who was able, through hearing aids, to adjust the volume of my voice. Julie and I will be praying for you.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:06 am
[…] A few months ago I posted re: my son’s recently identified hearing loss. You can read the post HERE. […]