This week in books - Week 4
Breaking Silence: A Family Grows with Deafness by Ferne Glick Pellham
This book is out of print, from what I can find, so no image is available. My sister picked it up for me recently at a used bookstore knowing it would interest me, since, as some of you know, we have a number of deaf friends since the church we attend is made up of about 25% deaf members. This book shares a mother's story of giving birth to twin sons in the 1960s - back before much of the modern technology and hearing screening was available. Because of this, though they knew something was wrong with the boys from the time they were three, they were not officially diagnosed as deaf until they were 15. Because of this, they were not given the right training, were not taught ASL, and were expected to be like normal individuals - all the while no one understanding just how little they were understanding of the world around them. It was a fascinating read to me as a mother and as an individual who has much interaction with those who are deaf. I'd very much recommend this book (if you can get a copy) to anyone interested in the deaf or to anyone who has a deaf child.
The Mother at Home: Raising Your Children in the Fear of the Lord by John S.C. Abbott
My mother gave me this book - after talking about it many times while she was reading it - with her highest recommendation. Since I don't take my mom's book recommendations lightly, I knew this must be good. And of course, it was. Written in the 19th century, this book contains no fluff. It is packed with challenging, convicting, and motivating exhortations to mothers to fulfill their God-given role as shapers and nurturers of their children. The recent republisher, Solid Ground Christian Books, writes:
Also finished this week:
Ephesians
Currently reading:
Proverbs, Philippians
How to Have a 48-Hour Day
Nourishing Traditions
The Ministry of Motherhood
This book is out of print, from what I can find, so no image is available. My sister picked it up for me recently at a used bookstore knowing it would interest me, since, as some of you know, we have a number of deaf friends since the church we attend is made up of about 25% deaf members. This book shares a mother's story of giving birth to twin sons in the 1960s - back before much of the modern technology and hearing screening was available. Because of this, though they knew something was wrong with the boys from the time they were three, they were not officially diagnosed as deaf until they were 15. Because of this, they were not given the right training, were not taught ASL, and were expected to be like normal individuals - all the while no one understanding just how little they were understanding of the world around them. It was a fascinating read to me as a mother and as an individual who has much interaction with those who are deaf. I'd very much recommend this book (if you can get a copy) to anyone interested in the deaf or to anyone who has a deaf child.
The Mother at Home: Raising Your Children in the Fear of the Lord by John S.C. AbbottMy mother gave me this book - after talking about it many times while she was reading it - with her highest recommendation. Since I don't take my mom's book recommendations lightly, I knew this must be good. And of course, it was. Written in the 19th century, this book contains no fluff. It is packed with challenging, convicting, and motivating exhortations to mothers to fulfill their God-given role as shapers and nurturers of their children. The recent republisher, Solid Ground Christian Books, writes:
Every mother and grandmother ought to read this book once a year to remind them of their most solemn duty, in the words of the author, "to lead their children to the Savior, and to prepare them for their heavenly home."By the way, since this book is in public domain, you can read it online for free here.
Also finished this week:
Ephesians
Currently reading:
Proverbs, Philippians
How to Have a 48-Hour Day
Nourishing Traditions
The Ministry of Motherhood
posted by Crystal Paine at 4:39 PM
4 Comments:
"the church we attend is made up of about 25% deaf members" Wow! That's a high percentage! How many deaf members does that mean then? And is there an interpreter, or does your pastor sign? You say you have "much interaction with those who are deaf"--so does this mean that you sign yourself?
My husband (of 29 years) is deaf, so our family "speaks" English and sign language. He is a residential counsellor at a school for deaf children, and we spent eight years working at a mission school for the deaf in Puerto Rico. I've been reading your blog for a while yet somehow missed your deaf connection--and I'm excited to learn of it!
Blessings to you,
GrammaMack
GrammaMack: Where we live is the area that the state school for the deaf is, so there is a very large population of deaf. At church, we usually have an interpreter, though most everyone in our church does sign. It's a small church, so there are maybe 20 deaf members or so and we often have deaf visitors as well. We've only been going to the church for about a year and a half, so we are not at all as fluent in sign language as most. However, we are improving and learning little by little. Now that I can finger spell, that helps as well. I'm hoping to someday be very proficient in sign language. As it stands right now, my comprehension level is much greater than my ability to communicate back. But I can still carry on at least rudimentary conversations. Kathrynne knows almost as much ASL as I do since we started it with her when she was around six months old. I think it has helped her vocabulary and communication skills tremendously! Two of the deaf ladies from our church are teaching an ASL class at our home each week right now and that has helped me a lot, too. I've found that learning ASL from the deaf themselves seems to give you a much better understanding of the language.
I would like to read the free online version, but am only able to pull up the first 2 chapters. Anyone have any advice??
Thanks!!!
Crystal, that sounds like a wonderful church family. It's great that you can comprehend ASL more than you can yet express, since usually for beginners it is the other way around! You've got the hardest part down and now just need to increase your vocabulary. It's such a beautiful language, and being able to sign worship songs adds a deeper dimension, I find.
By the way, we were sent an e-mail this week about an upcoming TV program featuring deaf actors that your deaf friends may be interested in: "NBC has made it official! Law & Order: Criminal Intent is featuring an episode on April 3rd, 9 pm, called "The Silencer", starring a talent-heavy cast of Deaf actors...Adding to the excitement, NBC broke history by hiring the most Deaf extras (35 people) for a network TV episode."
GrammaMack
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