Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam

Quoting the always-always-always entertaining Karen Putz, writing on her website deafmomworld.com:

I came across a post this morning, The Shame of Wearing Hearing Aids, and it brought back memories. I was one of those kids who hid a hearing aid under long hair. It wasn’t until I was in college that I finally wore my hair up and my hearing aid perched for all to see. Kinda sad, eh? All those years spent trying to hide something that was basically a part of me—except I didn’t want any part of it.

I decided to raise my kids with a different attitude about their hearing aids. From the start, we went with brightly-colored earmolds with swirls and glitter. I even joined my daughter in getting matching glitter earmolds. I’m pretty sure I saw my audiologist hold back a gulp when I asked for the blue with glitter when she squeezed the earmold goop into my ear.

So far, no one has had the guts to tell me that I look foolish sporting glitter at my age.

Despite my years of preaching about being proud of those two pieces of technology on their ears, my kids had minds of their own … Continue reading this great essay

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Karen Putz is an insightful, talented and entertaining freelance writer. She provides early intervention services to families with deaf and hard of hearing children. She serves as a board member for Hands & Voices (www.handsandvoices.org) and runs Illinois Hands & Voices in her state. She’s also a deaf mom to three deaf and hard of hearing children, and her husband is deaf, too. Learn more at karenputz.com.

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Read Irked posts tagged “deaf”
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Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, Campaign Watch

SolarAid:
A solar-powered hearing aid that costs less than $100.

By comparison:
The least expensive retail model sells for about $500.

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Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, Irked Videos

Ray Dobson and the dog he now calls Goblin both had a problem.

The little mixed-breed who was rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico needed a home. Dobson, of Orleans, Mass., was losing his hearing.

“My wife saw me kind of dropping out,” he says. “As people get deafer they get more anti-social.”

Both problems were solved when man and dog were brought together Click to continue »

Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, Irked Videos

Many of you may remember Drew, the youngest child in Ohio to ever receive simultaneous, bilateral cochlear implants.

It’s hard to believe that Drew celebrated his third birthday last month!

Happy birthday Drew!

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Just to make the day a little sunshinier, here’s a clip of Drew singing the great Ohio State University game day anthem Carmen Ohio (lyrics can be found here):

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Learn more at turnonmyears.blogspot.com

Tune in to the “DrewTube” channel here

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Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, Books & Book Reviews, Irked Videos

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Filed under: Themes, Auties & Aspies, Blind Visionaries, Deaf Jam, Irked Videos, Irked Audio

The swiftly-gaining-speed rock band Rudely Interrupted was originally formed by Rohan Brooks, a professional musician who was also working as a music therapist/instructor at St. John of God’s Churinga Day Service in Victoria, Australia—teaching the popular School of Rock class to people with disabilities. “Don’t Break My Heart,” Rudely Interrupted’s first single and first music video, took Australia by storm. Since their debut live performance in 2007, “the Rudies,” as they are now known to their loyal (and ballooning) fan base, have captured the hearts and minds of thousands upon thousands of people across the globe, leaving all who see the band perform speechless, amazed and ultimately inspired.

Yeah, but here’s the cool part…

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Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, Irked Videos

Drew was born in September 2006 with profound hearing loss in both ears, which means he is deaf. In the summer of 2007, when he was 8½ months old, he became the youngest child in Ohio to receive simultaneous, bilateral cochlear implants. TurnOnMyEars.blogspot.com, written by Drew’s mom and dad, is a record of their efforts to “turn on” Drew’s ears and educate him with an auditory verbal philosophy.

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Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, QuIrked Kids

Hello everyone!

I have just been skiing, and it was fabulous. I went to La Plagne, France.

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Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, QuIrked Kids

Hey!!

I am writing about one major life experience i have had so far. In two words, Robbie Williams is a 100% entertainer!! Whether you like his music or not he will surprise you. I went to his concert in Roundhay Park with my Mam and friends. We had to wait for four hours just for him. Luckily we got a good view on the hill called the side bank. He came on in the dark, and rose from below the stage! There were fireworks everywhere and pyrotechnics lit up all around the stage-i could even feel the heat! He went straight on singing! It was a huge opener, and it was intense, and everyone was screaming along with me! He sang “Millenenium” and his new single called “Rudebox.” I quite liked it. It is a bit of rap mixed with his usual. He sang “Angels” and everyone immediately started singing along to it. Even though i knew the words it took me a long time to sing along with it, because i have such a terrible voice! We were all dancing along to his amazing music!

Then he had a break for a bit, and when he returned he sang “Let Me Entertain You.” As usual, he performed a stunt during that song!! He appeared from the top of the stage and descended while singing the song!! It was fantastic!!! His dancers were really professional, too, of course!

He then asked for all the lights to be turned off, and said that, when he counted down from three, we should all turn our mobile phone lights on or take pictures with the flash from our cameras. When he counted down it was BEAUTIFUL!! It was supreme to see how many people were there, and it was actually quite an amazing sight! All the lights were flashing from everywhere. I had a go too.

Then he invited his friend John Wilkes onstage to sing “Me and My Shadow” with him!

The ending was brilliant. Everyone had such a good time, and so many people were there, and we were all sad to leave!

In the end, sitting here writing this, i have to admit i don’t think there will be any better entertainers for a long time to come!

See you soon baboon…

Joci Caven is Irked Magazine’s first music critic. She’s deaf, and just about the coolest kid ever. 

She totally digs her iPod, which she plugs right into her Cochlear Implant. She likes bands with strong beats, ’cause she’s “able to pick up on their frequency.” 

She’s about to take the music scene by storm.

Related:
Robbie Williams’ Official Site: http://www.robbiewilliams.com
The Friends of Roundhay Park: http://www.forp.co.uk

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Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, QuIrked Kids

I am wearing the implant on its own now. I have always worn a hearing aid but found it was getting too confusing picking up different types of sounds using two different aids. I am learning more about the sounds and everything just seems weird but I will get used to it. It has been frustrating and hard work because I have to adapt to the new sounds and concentrate harder. But it is worth it!

I did my SATs (also known as National Curriculum Assessments) on music! I got 74% and that was a huge thing for me. I was dead proud! I am studying the electric guitar so I can get through for the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)! The electric guitar sounds amazing. I have missed so much in my life, and I still have quite a lot to learn. 

I am into hip hop and heavy metal at the moment. I enjoy listening to The Ordinary Boys, a band that is popular with the boys at the moment. Most of my friends are boys so I learn quickly about what boys like to listen to. Another band that I like at the moment is Orson. The band has done quite a few good songs like “No Tomorrow” and “Bright Idea.” I have it playing all the time on my iPod! It is Indie music which is another name for soft rock. The five people in the band are Kevin, George, Jason. Johnny and Chris! My favorite is Jason because he does the vocals and has an excellent voice!

The one thing I am looking forward to doing next week is seeing Robbie Williams!! My aunty is very into his music and has got a couple of tickets. I will be seeing him next Friday in Leeds! Robbie originally came from the band Take That! He did “Let Me Entertain You” (which is awesome). His birthday is 13th of February, eleven days before mine. He comes from Stoke-On-Trent, in Staffordshire. In 2000, he did a single called “Rock Dj” from an album called “Sing When You’re Winning,” which hit number one on the charts in England! He has also recently released an album called “Intensive Care.” It is some of his best music so far! I’m sure you will know about him as well!

I am starting year 9 of school and I will hope it to be a good start!

I’ll let you know what I think about the concert next time.

Catch ya later.

Joci Caven is Irked Magazine’s first music critic. She’s deaf, and just about the coolest kid ever. 

She totally digs her iPod, which she plugs right into her Cochlear Implant. She likes bands with strong beats, ’cause she’s “able to pick up on their frequency.” 

She’s about to take the music scene by storm.

Related:
The Ordinary Boys’ Official Site: http://www.theordinaryboys.com 
Orson’s Official Site: http://www.orsonband.com 
Robbie Williams’ Official Site: http://www.robbiewilliams.com

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