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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'The Importance of Perspectives on the Journey: Parents, Siblings, and D/HH Adults ' Track: 7 - Family Perspectives and Support Keyword(s): Sibling, mentor, parent, perspectives Learning Objectives: Utilize perspectives beyond the 'parent voice' in understanding the impact of deafness on a family. Correlate the research on Siblings to a real life perspective Abstract: In a distinctive and honest exploration of the impact of deafness on the family life, this session will take a peek into three lives that have been intertwined with one another as deafness has been a part of their life stories in unique and interesting ways. In a panel format, each presenter will tell their own story– the challenges and the joys- and will also respond to one another’s comments in this interactive session. Told from the viewpoint of a mom who often presents her story of her deaf child, but rarely talks about her hearing kids in a presentation format – to a hearing sibling with a degree in psychology who emerged into adulthood with reflections of her own childhood – to a D/HH adult/mentor who often shares her own life about growing up with families to challenge, encourage and inspire. The exploration of the relationships the panelists have had with and the viewpoints learned from one another and other family members will also be shared: • Mother of a d/hh child and its impact on her relationship with her hearing daughter (now adult) • Mother of d/hh child and her relationship with her deaf adult mentor/friend • Hearing sibling and her relationship with her d/hh sister • Hearing sibling and her relationship with her parents • D/HH Adult and her relationship with her hearing family. • D/HH adult and her relationship as a mentor to other families. Current research on the sibling relationship will also be shared. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Stephanie Olson - Co-Presenter Children's Hospital      Credentials: B.A.      Other Affiliations: Children's Hospital Colorado       Stephanie Olson works as a Family Consultant for the Bill Daniels Center for Children’s Hearing at the Children’s Hospital of Denver and the Colorado Home Intervention Program. She draws from her experiences as a D/HH woman. With degrees in special education and social work, Stephanie’s background as a preschool director and as a teacher for students with special needs has helped her to develop positive relationships with those she serves. During 2009, she was part of a team from Children’s Hospital in Denver that traveled to London, South Africa, Brazil and New Zealand and presented on best practices for addressing auditory neuropathy. Stephanie was identified with a hearing loss at the age of three. In her presentations and her work, Stephanie brings her unique perspective which has been shared with parents and professionals nationally and internationally.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Leah DesGeorges - Co-Presenter,Author Hands & Voices      Credentials: B.A.       Leah DesGeorges lives in Boulder Colorado and is the hearing sister of a D/HH sibling, now both adults. She has a degree in Psychology from Wheaton College in IL, and worked for several years as a Mental Health Case Manager. Ms. DesGeorges is currently studying to be a nurse/midwife. Leah has spoken to groups of children who are siblings of deaf/hard of hearing family members.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Janet DesGeorges - POC,Co-Presenter,Author Hands & Voices, Headquarters      Credentials: N/A       Janet DesGeorges lives in Boulder, Colorado and is mom to Sara, who is hard of hearing. She is a co-founder of Hands & Voices, serving as the Executive Director since September 2011, and as the E.D. of the Flagship chapter of Hands & Voices in Colorado for 10 years prior to that. Ms. DesGeorges is the author on the chapter for Family Support in the NCHAM e-Book, the co-author of the book Educational Advocacy for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: The Hands & Voices Guidebook, and many other publications. Ms. DesGeorges received a program certificate from the MCH Public Health Leadership Institute in 2011 at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Her areas of interest include Leadership Development for parents; Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Systems; Parent/Professional partnerships in Quality Improvement processes.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.