Deaf awareness at scout groups

Charlotte started Squirrels (scouts) when she was four years old and still in pre-school. The group had already had her brothers take part and they knew Charlotte was Deaf and used cochlear implants. The leaders had previously invited us in to run a deaf awareness session and teach the kids and leaders some basic signs in preparation for Charlotte attending.

We always take a relaxed approach and tell the leaders that Charlotte is deaf and wears cochlear implants, but other than that we don't make a fuss. We find that at social groups deaf awareness is the most important thing. We want people to know how to get Charlotte's attention, especially if it’s needed to keep her safe. We tell them that once her cochlear implants start flashing the batteries are dead and Charlotte can no longer hear them.

One evening, they were watching a movie and Charlotte's implants started to flash red – the batteries were done. It was really obvious because they were all sitting in the dark! The leaders phoned me and asked what to do. They were worried that the other kids would point and annoy Charlotte about the flashing and that she might get upset. As it was only one ear that was flashing I asked them to get Charlotte to turn that one off and check if she was happy to have one ear for the remainder of the movie - otherwise I could pop down with new batteries.

The next week, the leaders asked me to come in and chat with the kids. Charlotte and I talked to them about what deafness is, we showed them photos of hearing aids, cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids and explained what sign language is. Charlotte even took her implants on and off (her own decision) telling them "now I can hear you, now I can't" just to demonstrate.

We love that Charlotte is so proud of her deafness and while she loves that her implants allow her to hear, she also loves to be deaf and explain to people what it is like!