Blog post contributed by Adrienne Abercrombie, Deaf Advocate / Case Manager, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services / Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida

“CODA” stands for Child of Deaf Adults, which means that you are a hearing child with deaf parents. There are not a lot of people in this world that knows what a CODA is, unfortunately. When you elaborate on what it means, all of a sudden, they become so interested in your life as if you were some celebrity rock star, asking you so many questions that just does not make sense. “I didn’t know deaf people can have children…” “Can deaf people drive?” I really did not feel like a rock star. I felt more alone in this world than anything. No one truly understood what it was like to be me, a CODA.

I did not talk. I did not want to use my voice to speak. I spoke with my hands and I truly believed I was your normal, average kid. I did not realize that I was different from everyone else. I thought I was deaf. Thanks to both of my parents, I had less than a handful of friends who understood exactly what it was like to be me. Thank God, they were CODAs too. I felt so close to them, more than I did with anyone else. I felt like they were my siblings. We had so much fun together and I did not have to pretend to be like everyone else. I was always me.

My words were coming out all wrong. I struggled with my grammar. I knew only what I was able to hear. My mom ended up putting me in speech classes, with the schools advice, in order to learn how to pronunciate my words better. They told my parents that they were holding me back in kindergarten due to my speaking skills. My parents were so disappointed as if they had done something wrong. However, they did nothing wrong at all. It was then that they had decided that moving closer to my grandmother was the best thing to do in order for me to succeed. My grandmother was an intelligent woman and very soft spoken. It was easy to learn how to speak with her help. I had become attached to her. She understood me. She was my second mom.

I will never forget this one day, my mom and I were walking through the grocery store, chatting with our hands. There were two girls, around my age, walking in the same aisle. They were following behind us with their hands over their mouths, whispering. I immediately knew they were making fun of us. I could feel it deep down in my gut. They started flapping their arms around imitating sign and giggling. This was not funny at all. In fact, this hurt my feelings. I tried to ignore them but, as they got a little bit closer, I could actually hear the words they were saying about us. All I wanted to do was shut down and cry. Deaf people do not enjoy being made fun of. Really, who does? I turned around and said, “Excuse me?” and, to my surprise, they both ran off, shocked, that I had heard everything. I felt so incredibly powerful in that moment while my mom, on the other hand, had no clue what had just happened.

“Is your mom is Deaf and Dumb?” or “Is she a Deaf Mute?” I hear these two mostly used phrases all the time when it comes to explaining my life. Deaf and Dumb? Deaf Mute? Who came up with these titles? Just because you cannot hear, does not mean you are dumb or have no voice. Deaf people are just like hearing people except their ears are broken. That is all. This killed me on the inside. I was skeptical telling people that both my parents were deaf. I did not want to have to deal with all the crazy questions that came along with it. It never dawned on me that having deaf parents was actually something special.

As time went on, I realized that it was actually GREAT having deaf parents! I could talk to my parents and CODA friends through windows. I could talk to them in complete privacy and no one knew what I was saying. I could even sneak out of the house, falling down outside of the bedroom window and knocking things over in the process, without being heard. (Sorry Mom!)  I could even to jam out to my favorite music, singing out loud, as loud as I wanted, in whatever voice I wanted. I never got into any trouble. My dad would only tell me to be quiet when he said he could feel the vibrations, but in my mind, I was a rock star! I felt like I had no barriers. I was completely unstoppable!

When I look back at my life, I realize that being different has taught me to have more compassion for those with disabilities. I understand wholeheartedly what it is like to be deaf because I thought I was deaf. Being raised in both the hearing world and the deaf world has shaped and formed me to be the proud CODA that I am today. I subtly mingle with the deaf world and they believe I am deaf because I act as if I am deaf. I am no longer afraid to answer the crazy questions that the hearing world asks nor am I afraid to educate people. I want everyone to understand that being deaf does not mean anything except their ears are broken. They do not need to be judged or looked down upon. They deserve every opportunity that a hearing person has in this world to succeed.

My advice to the hearing world - go ahead and learn sign language now while you still can. It really is not a waste of your time. Whether you do it now or later, face it, your hearing will eventually fade. If you already know how to speak in sign language, you will not feel so lost when you do become deaf. Think about it, really, why wouldn’t you want to know sign? It's empowering. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

CODA Woman - Child of Deaf Adults
Adrienne Abercrombie is the Deaf Advocate/Case Manager at Easterseals Northeast Central Florida which is located in Daytona Beach. She is a freelance and contracted ASL Interpreter since 1997 – 22+ years of experience as a Qualified Sign Language Interpreter, and has also worked at Sorenson Communications for 5+ years. She is always involved in the deaf community, enjoys attending deaf events and is always there to give a helping hand whenever it is needed. 

Her mother, Amy Barber, was the Deaf Advocate/Case Manager for 10+ years at Easterseals before she retired and Adrienne came in and took over the position to ensure the deaf community could continue to get the help that they need and deserve. Her father, John Hogg, was a Sign Language Professor at University of South Florida/Polk Community College in Lakeland, FL and her stepfather, Chuck Barber, was a Sign Language Professor at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach. Her grandmother, Pat Lozell, was strongly involved in the deaf community after retiring as a model in New York and believed in advocating for deaf rights. Pat did everything she could to help the deaf. She worked for the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind which is located in St Augustine, FL. She also worked for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in Daytona Beach along with the FTRI department distributing specialized telephones to the deaf and hard of hearing. 

Deafness is hereditary on one side of her family but not on the other. She has a lot of family members (aunts, uncles and cousins) whom are deaf from birth. She also has some family members who have become deaf over time. Everyone in her family are big advocates for the deaf and they are constantly trying to ensure that they are treated fairly in every perspective of their lives. “Equality is the key to living a happy life,” Adrienne says.

Star Legere has been a paraprofessional in Easterseals Northeast Central Florida’s classrooms for three years. In her position, she assists lead teachers and works with children on their individualized developmental goals, helping them reach – and surpass – them.

Star said she finds that many folks have a misconception about what it means to be a paraprofessional.

“One thing most people don’t understand about being a paraprofessional is that it’s not a babysitting job,” she said. “I’m there to help children grow to reach their fullest developmental potential and to care for their needs.”

Star is dedicated to children’s growth and understands how important her relationship with students’ families is.

“What I enjoy most about working with families through Easterseals is bonding with them,” said Star. “Connecting with the families helps me understand their children’s needs better.”

Star said she loves working in Easterseals’ team-focused environment; it has helped her become a better paraprofessional.

“There are other people (on my team) whom I can count on when I need help, or when I need to review ideas that most help the families we serve,” she said.

Star never stops pursuing learning opportunities; it’s one of the reasons she’s right at home on the IMPACT Team at Easterseals. IMPACT is a team of Easterseals leaders who are creating positive changes at the organization. The inaugural team was formed this spring as a result of strategic planning at Easterseals and is a method for enhancing employee engagement.

Personal growth and professional development remain important to Star.

“When I first began at Easterseals I had my CDA (Child Development Associate) credential,” she said, “and, through working with my encouraging coworkers, I now have my associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.”

Star has immediate plans to continue her professional development too: She will be pursuing her director’s credential in late summer.

“When people think about Easterseals, I hope they think of the caring and loving people that help their children reach their developmental goals,” said Star. “It’s a happy environment.”

Indeed, with Star on the Easterseals team, it seems that her students’ potential – as well as her own –  has no limits at all.

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If you have a love of teaching or an interest in helping children and adults with disabilities reach their fullest potential, you may have a place at Easterseals. All current job opportunities may not be available online, so contact HR Generalist Fran DeCinto at careers@esnecfl.org  for more information. In the meantime, complete our application for employment opportunities, available here. Additionally, Easterseals has partnered with GettingHired.com, an online resource that connects people with disabilities to employers in search of qualified jobseekers with disabilities. Visit www.GettingHired.com to open your door to opportunity!
 
Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida serves the region with facilities in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Bunnell, and Leesburg. To learn more about Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, please visit  www.eastersealsnecfl.org.
Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida serves the region with facilities in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Bunnell, and Leesburg. To learn more about Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, please visit  www.eastersealsnecfl.org.

In response to kids' playtime crisis, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida and the Early Learning Coalition are teaming up this summer to remind adults why children need to "play on purpose" by offering unique educational and interactive events offered in Daytona Beach.

The Play on Purpose (POP) events will be held at Dave & Buster's, 1507 Cornerstone Blvd., at the following times and days: 5 -7 p.m. Thursday, June 27; 12 - 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 9; 5 -7 p.m. Thursday, July 11; 12-2 p.m. Tuesday, July 23; and 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25. The cost is $35 per person. Business casual/casual attire is recommended.

Why is playing on purpose an important issue to address in our community? In short, being a kid today isn't what it was 50 years ago. Children don't play as much as they once did – structured after-school activities have replaced spontaneous get-togethers, and free time has been replaced with scheduled activities. This reduced playtime has contributed to increased mental disorders in children, higher instances of childhood anxiety and depression and increased suicide rates among older children and young adults.

The "play deficit" children face today is real, consequential and unhealthy, but thankfully, it's also reversible.
Easterseals' POP events are formatted to educate adults as to why kids need more playtime and allow adults to engage in their own purposeful play in the process. At every event, participants will experience an interactive presentation about the value of playtime for children, engage in play challenges with other group members, enjoy tasty hors d'euvres and refreshments and then will be set free in Dave & Busters with a $10 play card to get more playtime in and to use their newfound knowledge.

RSVP for an upcoming event below, or contact Susan Moor at 386-944-7820 at smoor@esnecfl.org to schedule at POP event for your organization.

​Register on your preferred date below:
June 27, 5 - 7 pm
July 9, 12 - 2 pm
July 11, 5 - 7 pm
July 23, 12 - 2 pm
July 25, 5 - 7 pm
Together, we'll erase the "play deficit" for the children of our community and launch the #MovementToMove!

Easterseals Northeast Central Florida and the Early Learning Coalition are teaming up this summer to remind adults why children need to play on purpose with unique educational and interactive events offered this summer in Daytona Beach.

The Play On Purpose (POP) events will be held at Dave & Buster’s on several dates between June 27 and July 25. The registration fee is $35 per adult.

Why is playing on purpose an issue to address in our community? In short, being a kid today isn’t what it was 50 years ago. Children don’t play as much as they once did – structured after-school activities have replaced spontaneous get-togethers and free time has been replaced with scheduled activities. The “play deficit” children face today is real, consequential and unhealthy, but thankfully, it’s also reversible.

“In play deficit, we see many consequences for not allowing children to use their imaginations and play freely within healthy parameters every day and for significant intervals,” said Dorothy Lefford, OTR/L, VP-Clinical Services at Easterseals Northeast Central Florida. Lefford added that research shows lessened play time has contributed to increased mental disorders in children, higher instances of childhood anxiety and depression and increased suicide rates among older children and young adults.

POP events are formatted to educate adults as to why kids need more playtime and allow adults to engage in their own purposeful play in the process. At every event, participants will experience an interactive presentation about the value of playtime for children, engage in play challenges with other group members, enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres and refreshments and then are set free in Dave & Busters with a $10 play card to get more playtime in and to use their newfound knowledge.

Event dates and times are 5 -7 p.m. Thursday, June 27; 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9; 5 -7 p.m. Thursday, July 11; 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 23; and 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25. The cost is $35 per person. Business casual/casual attire is recommended.

Easterseals’ goal is to set #100PlayDates in 2019 with engaged adults throughout the community who will share the value of playtime with others, especially the children they love and care for.

Join the #MovementToMove today!

RSVP for an upcoming event at https://www.easterseals.com/necfl/get-involved/events/play-on-purpose-pop.html.

Meet Jaslyn (Jas) Clemmons, an Easterseals IMPACT Team member, teacher of the two-year-olds at Easterseals Charter School and Joey’s Respite program coordinator.

Jas joined Easterseals as a floater/substitute in the Child Development Center in 2008. Her responsibilities include overseeing and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities, while ensuring a safe environment for the little ones. She’s focused on creating experiences at Easterseals that help children thrive.

Jas spends her weekdays caring for youngsters at Easterseals Charter School in Daytona Beach. Her classroom of spunky two-year-olds keep her on her toes, and she loves it. Jas also is a key member of Easterseals’ Joey’s Gift Respite program and always is willing to help wherever and wherever she’s needed.

“I enjoy helping families reach their child’s highest potential goals,” said Jas, adding that she wants to be known for the impact she’s made in children’s development.

Jas is right at home on the IMPACT Team at Easterseals as well. IMPACT is a new team of Easterseals leaders who are creating positive changes at the organization. The inaugural (spring) Team was formed as a result of strategic planning at Easterseals and is a method for enhancing employee engagement.

Jas is excited about the opportunity to share and draw new ideas from other team members – something she values in her daily teaching experiences too. She’s proud of how she’s grown personally and professionally by serving Easterseals families for 11 years.

“I’ve become more knowledgeable about ways to work with children and families, and I’ve taken many courses through the years to help me expand and become a better teacher and professional,” Jas said.

Ever focused on customer services, Jas added: “When people think of Easterseals, I want them to know us for how well we serve clients in all departments.”
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If you have a love of teaching or an interest in helping children and adults with disabilities reach their fullest potential, you may have a place at Easterseals. All current job opportunities may not be available online, so contact HR Generalist Fran DeCinto at careers@esnecfl.org  for more information. In the meantime, complete our application for employment opportunities, available here. Additionally, Easterseals has partnered with GettingHired.com, an online resource that connects people with disabilities to employers in search of qualified jobseekers with disabilities. Visit www.GettingHired.com to open your door to opportunity!
 
Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida serves the region with facilities in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Bunnell, and Leesburg. To learn more about Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, please visit  www.eastersealsnecfl.org.

The spring 2019 IMPACT Team at Easterseals Northeast Central Florida is in full swing, and Courtney Gibson is proud to be a part of it!

Courtney is an administrative assistant with Early Steps. Early Steps is a program of the Florida Department of Health that, through Easterseals, provides early intervention programs aimed at providing support families and caregivers to empower them to help their children learn developmentally appropriate skills.

Courtney joined the Easterseals team three years ago. In her day-to-day work, she’s responsible for analyzing data, and scheduling and structuring information for internal and external distribution throughout Early Steps. She loves working with families and having opportunities to provide guidance and directions to those who may have uncertainties about their child’s development.

Courtney is thrilled to be a member of Easterseals’ inaugural IMPACT Team, a group comprised of future Easterseals leaders who are empowered to implement new ideas and to help shape Easterseals’ future.

“As a member of the IMPACT Team, I believe that collaborating amongst my peers will allow us the ability to generate fresh ideas on how we can productively grasp a new approach on what Easterseals has to offer,” Courtney said. “Working at Easterseals Early Steps has given me a clear perspective on what it looks like to be an advocate for children who require additional assistance.”

Courtney takes her position as the first point of contact with families at Easterseals seriously and with heart.

“I pride myself on being a resource,” Courtney said. “And, I’d like to be known as an empathetic listener who provides encouraging words to families and friends of Easterseals.”

Added Courtney: “When people think of Easterseals, I hope they are reassured that it is a dedicated organization that continues to break barriers and stigmas for children living with disabilities.”

                                                                                                          ***

If you have a love of teaching or an interest in helping children and adults with disabilities reach their fullest potential, you may have a place at Easterseals. All current job opportunities may not be available online, so contact HR Generalist Fran DeCinto at careers@esnecfl.org  for more information. In the meantime, complete our application for employment opportunities, available here. Additionally, Easterseals has partnered with GettingHired.com, an online resource that connects people with disabilities to employers in search of qualified jobseekers with disabilities. Visit GettingHired.com to open your door to opportunity!
 
Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida serves the region with facilities in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Bunnell, and Leesburg. To learn more about Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, please visit  www.eastersealsnecfl.org.