No Limits Theater Is Therapy For Deaf Kids

CNN Heroes: Born Deaf, Live Determined - Theater is Therapy for Kids with Hearing Loss.

CULVER CITY, California -- Twenty years ago, Michelle Christie directed a stage performance. The actors were all students with hearing loss. As a teacher, Christie had been helping them learn to speak -- and listen. Theater, she realized, brought a noticeable improvement in their oral language skills and self-esteem.

To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.

"When you have characters in costume and they're all with all their friends who had a hearing loss, they felt like they belonged," Christie said. "I remember just looking at the audience a lot and seeing parents just weep. They're just so happy to see that their child can do this."

The theater group was such a success that Christie was asked to continue the program and replicate it in other cities. So, in 1997, she founded No Limits Theater Group. She traveled the country, bringing together groups of children with hearing loss to rehearse and perform plays written specifically for them.

From place to place, Christie says she noticed a trend: Students who'd had more early intervention also had improved speech and reading ability. She found that low-income students were falling through the cracks because families couldn't afford the resources their children needed to succeed.

"It just didn't seem fair. I decided I wanted to start an educational center really helping families in poverty," she said.

Today, her No Limits organization has three education centers -- located in California and Las Vegas -- offering free support and enrichment programs to children with hearing loss. The organization works with about 600 children and their families each year.

No Limits has also produced 100 plays in 13 states. The group has reached more than 200,000 people nationwide.

"Many kids are enrolled in college or have already graduated from college. It's so exciting to see it, because now they are the future. ... I want them to dream big for their lives," Christie said. "We have kids who are pilots. We have scientists. We have lawyers. We have psychologists. There are so many successful people with hearing loss."

CNN's Allie Torgan spoke with Christie about her work. Below is an edited version of their conversation... HERE.

SOURCE - CNN

Related Posts: #DeafCommunity - #DeafNews - #DeafPeople - #FakeNews

Deaf Crows Headed To The Sound Off Festival

A group of talented Deaf Regina high school students will soon be taking their show on the road to Edmonton Sound Off Festival.

REGINA, Saskatchewan -- After two, sold-out performances this summer of the one-act play Deaf Crows by the Thom Collegiate students, they were inundated with requests to do other shows. Teacher Joanne Weber said most were turned down because they’re simply not set up to tour. But they couldn’t pass up the invitation to perform next month at the Sound Off Deaf Theatre Festival in Edmonton. A first for Canada, the festival will showcase the work of Deaf playwrights and actors, which presents a unique educational benefit for the students, said Weber.

“These kids will have a chance to be part of a vibrant Deaf community, if only for about three days,” she said, explaining such opportunities are lacking in a small community like Regina.

Fundraising events by the students’ parents combined with a highly successful GoFundMe campaign to generate the money to cover travel expenses for the group of 17, including students and chaperones. They perform Feb. 17, 18, and 19 in Edmonton.

Weber calls the outpouring of support “amazing,” with contributions even coming in from theatre companies from in and outside the province. Momentum grew when a U.S.-based sign language news service did a feature story on the group.

Last year the students at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program at Thom worked with artist-in-residence Chrystene Ells and Berny Hi, a Regina filmmaker, to create visual art, write a script and develop acting skills. Wearing crow masks that they fashioned, the students shared their experiences and challenges growing up in a hearing world -- such as being excluded during games like telephone and hide and seek or struggling to be understood by classmates. The actors signed their lines, and a storyteller interpreted for the hearing audience, except for one part so hearing people might appreciate the deaf experience of seeing but not necessarily comprehending what’s going on.

The original plan was for one Regina show, but when it sold out, a second was added.

Weber, who is herself Deaf, is surprised how Deaf Crows took off. “I have basically toiled in obscurity all these years. And it’s weird to get all this spotlight on the performance. It seemed to have touched some kind of a raw nerve … It’s so interesting because at the same time we have the human rights commission investigating complaints about how poor these deaf people are served in this province.”

In written surveys, audience members called Deaf Crows “inspiring,” “captivating,” “thought provoking” and “powerful.”

She said the students and their parents saw the benefits. “It’s really amazing how those kids have been transformed,” said Weber. “They’ve really come alive,” she added, explaining how they’ve gone from feeling isolated to working together in a community.

“For the first time, their experiences were valued and recognized.”

In a video prepared for the fundraising campaign, student Fatima Nafisa, signs, “I don’t want Deaf Crows to be over.”

Now that they’re headed to Edmonton, the students are back in rehearsals, re-learning lines, and sorting out how they’re going to re-create the same magic in a theatre far different from Regina’s Artesian.

The students are also working on a visual art installation planned for the Dunlop Gallery in October. And the success of Deaf Crows has also led to the creation of a non-profit theatre group (the Deaf Crows Collective) that’s looking to develop more pieces.

In the fundraising campaign video, student Alex Bristow, signs: “All people want the same thing -- to be equal, strong and feel like they are supported.”

SOURCE - Regina Leader-Post

Follow @DeafCrows:
Like on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deafcrow

Related Deaf Saskatchewans:
Saskatchewan Needs More ASL Interpreters
Deaf Education 'Nonexistent' In First Nations
Deaf Crows Headed To The Sound Off Festival

Related Post: #DeafTheatre -- #DeafCanadians

Theater Cancels Until Deaf Actor Found For Role

Troupe seeks to collaborate with the Iowa Deaf community to create authentic portrayals.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Gazette: The Deaf Community has spoken, and Theatre Cedar Rapids has listened.

The community theater is postponing its production of “Tribes,” after two weeks of rehearsals and protests over casting hearing actors in the roles of two Deaf characters.

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Leslie Charipar, the theater’s artistic director said: “In light of conversation among and feedback from the Deaf community and after a great deal of conversation and soul-searching with TCR staff, Tribes director David Schneider, and the cast of Tribes, TCR has decided to postpone our production of Tribes until we can gain the support of the Deaf community and collaborate with them in finding Deaf actors to play the Deaf roles as well as ensure that we are portraying the Deaf experience in an authentic and respectful way.”

New production dates haven’t been chosen yet.

“It might be possible that it’s next year,” said Casey Prince, TCR’s executive director. “What we’re most excited about is quickly getting people plugged into the production.”

TCR will contact ticketholders; information also is posted on the theater’s website.

Those options could include workshops to promote education and understanding between the Hearing and Deaf communities, from sign language and culture to theater studies.

“This postponement is our sincere and earnest way to meet our mission of serving the entire community and specifically to do right by the Deaf community as we share their stories in an authentic and collaborative way,” Charipar said.

The message spread on social media as swiftly as the protests posted the past two weeks.

“WOW! Thank you, TCR for listening to the Deaf community,” wrote Carly Armour of Iowa City, who helped initiate the early discussions on Facebook and spoke passionately - using American Sign Language and her voice - during a public forum Tuesday afternoon in Cedar Rapids. “This decision will not only bridge the gap between the theater and Deaf communities but also create a STRONG partnership for years to come. Thank you to our community - Deaf and Hearing allies - for coming together to make this change!”

“We will work together to help and heal,” wrote Robert Vizzini of Cedar Rapids, chairman of the Cedar Rapids Association of the Deaf, reiterating what he said at the forum.

Prince, who attended that event, made good on his promise to take their comments back to his team, continuing a discussion already underway at the theater.

“We’ll regroup,” he said, “(and) get feedback from those who want to participate going forward.”

The cast’s reaction was “very emotional,” he said. “They were very invested in the piece for their own personal reasons. The story, the material really resonated with them. In light of the public nature of this conversation that’s been playing out, they connected with each other over a short two weeks in a way that some casts never do over multiple months. I’m certainly sad for those who are sad, but I’m very happy that they found each other and grew through the material with the limited time that they did.”

“I hope this proves to you that we were listening and silently observing,” cast member Mindy Oberreuter said via Facebook, where much of the controversy played out. “I truly hope both sides can move forward in collaboration. The very heart of theater is telling a story, and we want to tell it honestly and correctly. We all love theater that is why we are a part of this group. ... I wish you all could have seen our rehearsal on Monday night. I don’t know if the universe was telling us something, but it was beautiful. We rehearsed the second act and if you are familiar with the show’s end, you know how emotional and raw it is. It ends with love and tears and hugs.”

SOURCE - The Gazette

Working In The Theatre - Sign Language Theatre

WATCH [CC] - Exclusive interview with the cast of Spring Awakening and Deaf actors from Gallaudet University.

American Theatre Wing shares video with captions on social media - Sign Language theatre has recently come to the forefront of commercial theatre through the acclaimed Broadway production of Spring Awakening which is performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English.

To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.

However, beginning with vaudeville acts in Deaf clubs (in the early part of the 20th century) to the work at National Theatre of the Deaf and Gallaudet University, Deaf actors and creative team members have produced incredible theatrical experiences for both Deaf and Hearing audiences.

Follow members of the cast of Spring Awakening, Gallaudet University, and others as they explore the creative process, the history, and the joy that comes from sign language theatre. Subscribe https://youtube.com/americantheatrewing.

For more information on Gallaudet University's Theatre program, visit:http://gallaudet.edu/act/undergraduate-programs/theatre-arts.html.

For more information on Spring Awakening, visit: http://springawakeningthemusical.com.

For more information on Deaf West Theatre, visit: http://www.deafwest.org.

For more information on the Accessibility program at the National Endowment for the Arts, visit: https://arts.gov/accessibility/accessibility-resources/nea-office-accessibility.

For more information on the American Theatre Wing, visit: http://americantheatrewing.org.

Follow @DeafWest:
Spring Awakening - http://springawakeningthemusical.com
Facebook - https://facebook.com/springawakeningbroadway
Facebook - https://facebook.com/deafwesttheatre
Twitter - https://twitter.com/deafwest
Website - http://deafwest.org

Related Spring Awakening:
Deaf West's Broadway Spring Awakening
BuzzFeed - How To Make A Musical For The Deaf
This Is How You Make An All Deaf Music Video
Deaf West's Production Transfers To Broadway
'Spring Awakening' Makes Broadway Debut
‘Spring Awakening’ On The NBC Nightly News
Working In The Theatre - Sign Language Theatre

Related Posts: #DeafTheatre

'Spring Awakening' Makes Broadway Debut

WATCH [CC] - Michael Arden's Deaf West Theater production of the Tony-winning musical 'Spring Awakening' makes a few dozen broadway stars.

NEW YORK CITY -- The revival of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's musical 'Spring Awakening' opened last night at the Brooks-Atkinson Theatre where nearly the entire company, composed of more than 20 performers, both Deaf and Hearing, celebrated a Broadway debut.

To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.

TheaterMania caught up with Austin P. McKenzie and Sandra Mae Frank, who lead the cast as Melchior and Wendla, along with Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, Emmy winner Camryn Manheim, "Glee" veteran Ali Stroker, and more of the Deaf West cast members, who are joyfully getting acquainted with the Great White Way.

Michael Arden, who makes his directorial Broadway debut at the helm of the production, also shares some feelings about the musical's journey from a Los Angeles black box theater to the biggest stage on the East Coast.

The Oscar winner Marlee Matlin takes on the Great White Way for the first time in Michael Arden's Deaf West Theater production of the Tony-winning musical... Read The Full Story.

Get tickets to Spring Awakening: http://broadway.com/shows/spring-awakening

Follow @DeafWest:
Spring Awakening - http://springawakeningthemusical.com
Facebook - https://facebook.com/springawakeningbroadway
Facebook - https://facebook.com/deafwesttheatre
Twitter - https://twitter.com/deafwest
Website - http://deafwest.org

Related #SpringAwakening:
Deaf West's Broadway Spring Awakening
BuzzFeed - How To Make A Musical For The Deaf
This Is How You Make An All Deaf Music Video
Deaf West's Production Transfers To Broadway
'Spring Awakening' Makes Broadway Debut
Working In The Theatre - Sign Language Theatre
Deaf West 'My Junk' Snow Storm Sing Along

Related Posts: #DeafTheatre

Deaf West's Production Transfers To Broadway

WATCH: Believe! Deaf West's Spring Awakening revival opens on Broadway in New York City.

BROADWAY -- Deaf West’s revival of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's Spring Awakening opens officially at the Great White Way's Brooks Atkinson Theatre on September 27. Directed by Michael Arden, the staging incorporates American Sign Language with the dialogue, as select characters are portrayed as Deaf, with additional performers providing their voices.

In honor of the musical’s big night, Broadway.com resident artist Justin “Squigs” Robertson created this sketch. The portrait includes Austin P. McKenzie as Melchior, Daniel N. Durant as Moritz, Sandra Mae Frank as Wendla, and the key supporting cast including Oscar winner Marlee Matlin as a variety of adult characters, along with Broadway.com

Audience Choice Award winners Krysta Rodriguez as Ilse and Andy Mientus as Hanschen and more! Broadway.com wishes the cast of Spring Awakening a happy opening. Make sure you get "Totally F**ked" at the after-party...

Read The Full Story.

Get tickets to Spring Awakening: http://broadway.com/shows/spring-awakening

Follow @DeafWest:
Spring Awakening - http://springawakeningthemusical.com
Facebook - https://facebook.com/springawakeningbroadway
Facebook - https://facebook.com/deafwesttheatre
Twitter - https://twitter.com/deafwest
Website - http://deafwest.org

Related #SpringAwakening:
Deaf West's Broadway Spring Awakening
BuzzFeed - How To Make A Musical For The Deaf
This Is How You Make An All Deaf Music Video
Deaf West's Production Transfers To Broadway
'Spring Awakening' Makes Broadway Debut
Working In The Theatre - Sign Language Theatre
Deaf West 'My Junk' Snow Storm Sing Along

Related Posts: #DeafTheatre

Cochlear Controversy Dramatized In ‘Sound’

Deaf News: The world-premiere play “Sound” explores the controversy over cochlear implants for the Deaf.

To hear? To speak? To sign? Those are the questions.

Deaf children in America are eligible for a procedure that can significantly expand their ability to hear. It is a cochlear implant, and rather than amplify sounds like hearing aids do, it works by directly stimulating the auditory nerve in the brain.

By 2012, about 96,000 adults and children in the U.S. alone had undergone the procedure.

Yet while many have hailed it as a breakthrough that not only can turn up the volume but also help Deaf children develop speech, not everyone is cheering.

“There are a lot of emotional feelings about CIs (cochlear implants) in the Deaf community,” explained Howie Seago, a Deaf Tacoma-bred theater artist and co-director of the new play “Sound,” which debuts this week at ACT Theatre.

“Many Deaf people feel that the doctors and other ‘professionals’ in the field of deafness consider us ‘defective’ and need to be fixed,” Seago commented by email.

“They stress this ad nauseam to the parents and do not fully educate them as to the range of communications options available. They almost always leave out the benefits of using sign language with their Deaf child.”

The conflict over whether children in particular need the device intrigued Seago’s co-director, Desdemona Chiang, when she read an early draft of hearing playwright Don Nguyen’s drama, “Sound.” It portrays the heated dispute between a Deaf father and his non-Deaf ex-wife over whether to try to restore their daughter’s hearing with CIs... Read The Full Story/.

Related Cochlear Implant:
Deaf Girl's Family Sues Cochlear Ear Implants For $7.25M
Cochlear Implants Is NOT A Cure !
Deaf Culture - Have We Cured Deafness ?
Violation of Human Rights: Forcing A Deaf Child to Wear CI
VICE News: Deaf Culture 'Signs of Change'
Deaf Adopted Child To Force On Cochlear Implant
Deaf Girl Dies of Bacterial by Cochlear Implant
No More Sign Language For Deaf Children With Implants ?
Cochlear Business Is Dirty Business!
Cochlear Implant User Struck By Lightning
Cochlear Implant Users Parody
The Language in Space of the Cochlea Implantation
University Killing Deaf Kittens For CI Research
Deaf Cats In Cochlear Implant Research

Deaf West's Broadway Spring Awakening

WATCH [CC] - In Rehearsal With Deaf West's Broadway Spring Awakening.

NEW YORK CITY -- You may think you know Spring Awakening, but you've never seen or heard it like this. Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's Tony-winning musical returns to Broadway in the hands of the famed Deaf West Theatre in a brand-new production featuring a young cast of Deaf and Hearing actors performing the show simultaneously.

The results will not only blow your mind, but are sure to provide an even more emotionally overwhelming experience than you ever expected.

Follow @DeafWest:
Spring Awakening - http://springawakeningthemusical.com
Facebook - https://facebook.com/springawakeningbroadway
Facebook - https://facebook.com/deafwesttheatre
Twitter - https://twitter.com/deafwest
Website - http://deafwest.org

Related #SpringAwakening:
Deaf West's Broadway Spring Awakening
BuzzFeed - How To Make A Musical For The Deaf
This Is How You Make An All Deaf Music Video
Deaf West's Production Transfers To Broadway
'Spring Awakening' Makes Broadway Debut
Working In The Theatre - Sign Language Theatre
Deaf West 'My Junk' Snow Storm Sing Along

Related Posts: #DeafTheatre

Deaf Twins Ouahid 'Unexpected Moment'

Deaf Short film: 'Unexpected Moment' by the Ouahid Twins.

Swedish the Ouahid twins, Amina and Jamila in International Sign storytelling 'Unexpected Moment' video goes viral in Deaf community.

Amina Ouahid is a Deaf amateur actress who was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden. For Amina has the acting has always been a passion. When she was 10, she became the host of SVT's children's program Pi, and worked there for four years. In 2007 she participated in the show Ulla & Ulf in both Stockholm and in Vanersborg.

Additionally, she has appeared in several plays, television shows and magazines. Currently taking Amina a break from their studies to focus on acting. In the spring of 2012, she is current in Fame Visukalen, a collaboration between the National Theatre Silent Theatre, Örebro county theater and the National Theatre Örebro County: wiki.riksteatern.se.

Follow @TheOuahidTwins:
Subscribe: https://youtube.com/channel/Amina Ouahid
Facebook: https://facebook.com/amina.ouahid8
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamilaOuahid

Hope! Deaf Theatre: Interviews

Hope! Deaf Theatre: Interviews with students of arts, culture and recreation through Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind.

In a celebration of Deafness within the hearing world, Hope! tells the story of Thabo, a boy born Deaf and cast out by his community who believe he is bewitched. In his exile, Thabo is found by a tenacious and helpful Deaf girl who teaches him to communicate in sign language.

To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.

Thabo is eventually reunited with his family and the community realizes that his deafness is not a bewitchment.

The play is acted in sign language by students from the Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind, and narrated for the hearing in English, isiXhosa and Sesotho. Report by Robyn Perros and Michelle Avenant.

Hope! finds its expression within the fusion of the hearing and the Deaf. The play is a celebration of Deafness within the hearing society.

It is a delightful, touching story of a young boy born Deaf, rejected by his parents in fear of societal embarrassment and declared bewitched by his own community.

This is modern storytelling in its purest form combining speech, movement and physicality.

SOURCE

Deaf Theatre: Message By Canadian Deaf Actors

WATCH: Deaf Theatre: Message by Canadian Deaf actors and director.

We are part of The Northern Lights Theatre with European's Deaf actors and directors. Currently, Canada does not have a "Deaf Theatre".

The director, Liz, is asking Deaf organizations and people to help and donate some money toward Canada's funding. Currently, We do not have any money because many grants don't see her Deaf actors as professional yet.

This project is their first step of setting up the future Canada's Deaf Theatre. More info at The Northern Lights Theatre and/or www.Actor-ElizabethMorris.com for more informations.

Related: Sign Language Production Makes History

Related Posts: #DeafCanadians

Sign Language Production Makes History

Deaf Theatre: Sign language production makes history in South Africa.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- For the first time in history, a South African Deaf Theatre organisation is set to perform in Europe at the Clin d’Oeil Festival, which is a one-of-a-kind, multi-disciplinary event that aims to highlight the richness of the sign language community. And the chosen body is the Catalina Theatre for its breakthrough performance of Listen with Your Eyes.

The Tonight caught up with the director of the Catalina Theatre, Alison Swannick, to chat about this honour that’s been bestowed on South Africa.With an interpreter joining us, Swannick said she was elated that the play was chosen for the European fest.

“When I got the e-mail, I screamed. I never expected to get that invitation. On the other hand, I am a bit scared. At first it felt like it wasn’t even real. The first thought I had was, ‘where is the money going to come from?’, because the only difficulty was that we would have to pay half the airfare. And we’re looking for funders.

“But I was amazed that South Africa is going to be in the European Deaf Festival.

It’s like our time has finally come. It’s more for the young actors who are involved in this, so I’m ecstatic for them.”

Last year, Swannick hosted the first Deaf theatre festival in South Africa, Talking Hands. Chatting about the response to that event, she says: “The festival was a success, but there was not enough audience support. It was the first time, so we learnt a lot. But it was a difficult experience and we had no sponsors.

“But in terms of the performances at the festival, they were very good. Everybody reported that they enjoyed it. There are no deaf filmmakers in South Africa, so many people enjoyed the international films that we showed at the film fest. But, now when I look at it, it was successful because one of our performances is going to France. It was a major breakthrough in Deaf performance art.”

Read The Full Story.

Deaf Entertainer: Signs of Laughter

A Deaf entertainer CJ Jones shares signs of laughter.

CJ Jones is an internationally known Deaf entertainer who has been making audiences of all ages laugh for over 25 years. Through sign language and humor, he hopes to remind people that 'life is good'.

CJ is an awesome motivational role model for not only people of the Deaf community, but to every person who has ever faced an obstacle in life.

Follow @CJJones:
More video clips: https://hooplaha.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/hooplaha
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hooplaha
Website: https://cjjoneslive.com

The Language in Space of the Cochlea Implantation

'The Language in Space' is a play written by Herbert Gantschacher.

The scene "The Cochlea Implantation" performed by the Deaf actors Horst Dittrich as the father and Reinhard Grobbauer as the son and Werner Mössler as the doctor" shows a cochlea implantation real ironically.

It is a real question, the cochlea implantation could be helpful.

On the way of an operation the return to the "hearing world" is technically possible. But the way of operation is not helpful for the Deaf society.

What happens to operated Deaf people, which are living now with a cochlea implantation but without a better result of hearing? They are not integrated in the "hearing world" and the Deaf world, they damaged psychological and physical. In such a situation the cochlea implantation destroys Deaf society.

ARBOS-Company for Music and Theatre.
Director & Producer: Herbert Gantschacher.
Camera: Bidpai.

Cochlear Implants is a Form of Child Abuse:

On the surface, cochlear implants sound like a promising medical solution to the problems surrounding hearing loss or total deafness. A cochlear implant uses existing nerves and electronic signals to override damaged auditory nerves, thus restoring a sense of hearing to the recipient. However, this technology has also caused serious divisions within the Deaf community concerning the hearing society's position on deafness in general. A number of members of the Deaf community choose to view their deaf status as a subculture of society, in the same sense as a Hispanic person would embrace his or her Hispanic culture.

Deafness is not a handicap per se, but a shared experience which gives the Deaf community its unique cultural identity. To members of this Deaf subculture, cochlear implants are considered disrespectful and insulting, since the medical community views deafness as a handicap which must be treated or corrected: Cochlearwar - Myths and Facts.

Certain factions of the Deaf community also believe a Deaf person's ability to live a full and meaningful life is not compromised by his or her deafness, so the suggestion that cochlear implants provide advantages over a Deaf lifestyle is shortsighted and insensitive.

Many people cope very well with their deafness, learning sign language and lip reading and adapting their work and home environments to accommodate their loss of hearing. Perhaps the cochlear implant is only for MONEY as dirty business, watch Cochlear Business is Dirty Business.

Another controversy surrounding cochlear implants and the Deaf community is the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. Cochlear implantation involves major surgery in an area of the body filled with delicate nerves which control facial movements. One mistake during surgery could cause long-term facial paralysis, also and it is might be a risk to cochlear implant users where the thunderstorms approaching as weather affected of the conspiracy theory as seen on video clip Cochlear Implant User Struck By Lightning.

Cochlear implants can also destroy any remaining healthy auditory nerves, which means a Deaf person could lose all remnants of natural hearing which may have helped them adjust to a Deaf lifestyle. Cochlear implants require the recipient to undergo significant fine-tuning sessions, and success can vary widely from recipient to recipient. The controversy over cochlear implants often pits hearing parents against Deaf parents when it comes to raising their Deaf children in a hearing world. Many Deaf parents would prefer to raise their Deaf child in a Deaf culture, including the use of sign language and lip reading. Hearing parents who are not familiar with the Deaf community may opt for the cochlear implant surgery to correct their Deaf child's perceived handicap, Cochlear Implant Cruelty.

The result may be a Deaf child who can partially hear, or a hearing child with a Deaf cultural heritage. Either way, the child may face social ostracism from both communities if the parents do not consider the long-term effects of cochlear implant surgery. Not all members of Deaf community view cochlear implants as an unnecessary procedure, but hearing parents facing a difficult decision concerning a Deaf child may want to research both sides of the controversy before committing to cochlear implant surgery. Benefits and Risks of Cochlear Implants.

What is the Leading Cause of Child Abandonment?

History of Abandonment/Abuse - History tends to repeat itself and this is especially true of abuse and neglect patterns. Parents who experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment at the hands of someone when they were a child are more likely to repeat the pattern and abuse, neglect or abandon their own children. UNICEF estimates that 13 million children worldwide have been abandoned by both parents for various reasons, abuse and neglect among them, the video in behavioral problems for not learning in sign language and oppression.

Handicap/Illness of Child - A child born with a handicap, birth defect or chronic illness has a higher chance of being abandoned by their parents. Since infants and children are needy to begin with, parents living with a child with a chronic condition may not be able to cope with the increased demands of their child. Like parents who live in poverty, these parents believe their child will be better off without them and abandon these child to the foster care system or to live with other relatives.

Behavioral Problems - All children experience behavior problems as they grow and learn about the world around them. For some parents, their child's misbehavior is a source of extreme stress they are unable to handle. Other parents have children with extreme, even criminal, behavior that they are unable or unwilling to control. These children are at an increased risk of being removed from their parent's care or having their parents find alternative placement situations for them. Watch short film Alone In A Hearing World.

STOP abuse Deaf children for profits.

Cochlear Implant Fails... Lawsuits... Call Lawyer... Cochlear Implant Lawyer for Advanced Bionics and Clarion Devices. Get a free lawsuit review for Advanced Bionics cochlear implants and earlier Clarion models by completing the form on this page. A Deaf attorney is available to review your information and can discuss it by videophone (VP). The lawyers of Weitz and, Luxenberg P.C. have expanded litigation against Advanced Bionics related to defective Advanced bionics and cochlear implants implanted in young children and adults: yourlawyer.com/cochlear-implants-lawsuits.

Related Cochlear Implant:
Deaf Girl's Family Sues Cochlear Ear Implants For $7.25M
Cochlear Implants Is NOT A Cure!
Deaf Culture - Have We Cured Deafness?
Violation of Human Rights: Forcing A Deaf Child to Wear CI
Deaf Culture 'Signs of Change'
Deaf Adopted Child To Force On Cochlear Implant
Deaf Girl Dies of Bacterial by Cochlear Implant
No More Sign Language For Deaf Children With Implants ?
Cochlear Business Is Dirty Business!
Cochlear Implant User Struck By Lightning
Cochlear Implant Users Parody
The Language in Space of the Cochlea Implantation
University Killing Deaf Kittens For CI Research
Deaf Cats In Cochlear Implant Research

Related Mainstreaming School:
Mainstream School Lacks Communication Access
Dropout Rate Among Mainstream Deaf Students
Mainstream School Is Failing Deaf Students
Living In Between The Deaf And Hearing Worlds
Deaf Awareness: Alone In A Hearing World
Animated Short Film 'Deaf in a Hearing World'
Deaf Awareness 'Voiceless' Short Film
Deaf Awareness Short Film - 'Rise Up'

Related Bullying:
Bullies Dump Deaf Student's Backpack In Toilet
Bullied Deaf Boy Forced To Leave School
Deaf Girl's Bullying In Mainstream School
Deaf Awareness Short Film - 'Rise Up'
Deaf Victim Of Bullying At Three Different Schools
Deaf Student Bullied at the AG Bell School
Deaf People Bullied By The AG Bell Association

Sean Berdy Performs - Deaf Dancing Group

ASL Music Video: Sean Berdy Performs Deaf Dancing Group Part 1 & 2.

Sean Berdy, star of the ABC Family's "Switched at Birth", performing with an all Deaf dancing group when he was a young pre-teen.

Follow @SeanBerdy:
Subscribe: https://youtube.com/seanberdy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanberdy
Website: https://seanberdysite.com
Blog: #SeanBerdy

Cochlear Implant Users Parody

Parody of the cochlear implant users at Gallaudet University theatre.

'Cochlear Implant' parody. Watch the video and giving you an example of what a cochlear implant looks like. It's a worthwhile to watch this hilarious video. Enjoy!

Related Cochlear Implant:
Deaf Girl's Family Sues Cochlear Ear Implants For $7.25M
Cochlear Implants Is NOT A Cure!
Deaf Culture - Have We Cured Deafness?
Violation of Human Rights: Forcing A Deaf Child to Wear CI
Deaf Culture 'Signs of Change'
Deaf Adopted Child To Force On Cochlear Implant
Deaf Girl Dies of Bacterial by Cochlear Implant
No More Sign Language For Deaf Children With Implants ?
Cochlear Business Is Dirty Business!
Cochlear Implant User Struck By Lightning
Cochlear Implant Users Parody
The Language in Space of the Cochlea Implantation
University Killing Deaf Kittens For CI Research
Deaf Cats In Cochlear Implant Research

Related Mainstreaming School:
Mainstream School Lacks Communication Access
Dropout Rate Among Mainstream Deaf Students
Mainstream School Is Failing Deaf Students
Living In Between The Deaf And Hearing Worlds
Deaf Awareness: Alone In A Hearing World
Animated Short Film 'Deaf in a Hearing World'
Deaf Awareness 'Voiceless' Short Film
Deaf Awareness Short Film - 'Rise Up'

Related Bullying:
Bullies Dump Deaf Student's Backpack In Toilet
Bullied Deaf Boy Forced To Leave School
Deaf Girl's Bullying In Mainstream School
Deaf Awareness Short Film - 'Rise Up'
Deaf Victim Of Bullying At Three Different Schools
Deaf Student Bullied at the AG Bell School
Deaf People Bullied By The AG Bell Association