Newly identified family weekend October 2007

The majestic Mourne Mountains in Newcastle, Co. Down provided the backdrop for the latest family weekend specifically for families with newly identified deaf children in the last 18 months. Friday 5^th October saw the steady arrival of families for the start of their weekend

After registration and dinner families and staff joined a craft workshop facilitated by Stacey (NDCS Arts Officer). The session started with some braid making culminating in many showing off their new bangles! However, some of the bangles didn’t look new for too long once the clay session got under way! Most families made family plaques (dare we say there was a little competitiveness?) which the children then painted the following day.

The children settled quickly into the crèche very well and parents came together for the first session entitled “Sharing our experiences”. Parents introduced themselves and shared with the group, their story which consisted mainly of how and when their child’s deafness was discovered.

Following coffee break parents split up in a mums group and a dads group. Within this smaller group context further issues were explored and parents shared tips as to what they do in certain scenarios. Discussion was mostly around getting their child to adjust to wearing hearing aids, support of family members, issues around discipline and explaining right from wrong and if having a deaf child had any effect on other siblings. In fairness the discussion was frank and thoughtful. When laughter was heard coming from the dads group some of the mums concluded that the dads must have moved on to a topic like football!  

The afternoon session entitled “Understanding Audiology” was facilitated by Cecilia McAnallen,(Deputy Director of the Cochlear Implant Centre at Belfast City Hospital) and Amanda Speers (Clinical Scientist, Cochlear Implant Team. They explained the physiology of normal hearing and then went on to talk about various types of deafness. Audiograms were explained which parents found most useful in helping them understand what level of hearing their child had. Cochlear implants were explained as well.

'I liked putting the ear cups on because it taught me what it’s like to be deaf.  It was good fun making the ear.  I learned a lot – I understand better what it must be like being deaf.'

 However, parents weren’t the only people learning about audiology! Joanna Walker (Teacher of the Deaf) was explaining to the older children about how their ears work or don’t work so well, as the case may be.

And at the end of these sessions one young child summed it all up by saying his younger brother’s ears were “just broke”! 

Irene and Barbara concluded the day’s sessions talking about local support and what NDCS services are available to families including what their role is. Families were then offered the opportunity to meet with either of them on a one to one to discuss any issues. Families then had some free time before meeting up again for dinner in the evening.

With the children breakfasted and safely in the crèche, Sunday morning kicked off with a session on communication with Gwen Carr (Early Intervention Studies and Deputy Group Director, University of Manchester). Gwen gave an amusing and informative talk on how to communicate with your deaf child. The main message coming out was for parents to do what ever it takes to get communication happening and to not forget that a lot of information is given nonverbally as well.

'Ended weekend in such a positive note and help us go away much more positive.'

Following coffee break parents then had the opportunity to listen to 2 deaf people talk about themselves. Valerie and Thomas both gave accounts of their childhood, school experiences, growing up as a deaf person in the family and then went on to talk about how they get on with life now. They were both inspirational! Parents really enjoyed meeting them and seeing their lip reading skills in full flow. They both spoke frankly and honestly and invited questions from the parents. For a lot of parents there, Valerie and Thomas were the only deaf adults they had ever met. Parents said afterwards they could not put a monetary value on the session because it was “worth any money” such was the inspiration the parents came away with.

 'Kids had a fantastic time.  Didn’t miss mum and dad at all!'

A buffet lunch concluded the family weekend along with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” and a cake for one very surprised mum! Families exchanged contact details as they parted with children saying goodbyes to their new best friends and some demanding that daddy build them a swimming pool at their house!