Gratitude...

Today I took the kiddos to a playground next door. There were three kids already there, probably somewhere between six and ten years old. The girl (and the oldest) noticed the boys and asked if they were deaf. When I replied that they were, she said her brother was deaf, too.

The little boy was named Joshua, and although he wasn’t wearing it at the time, he had a cochlear implant, just like Ben. It was sitting on a table right next to where he was fumbling with a kite string. Joshua’s implant equipment looked to be an older model, so I can only assume that he’s had it for longer than Ben’s had his.

Joshua couldn’t have been older than six, and it was obvious that the other two kids didn’t really know how to play with him. Joshua was out doing his own thing, away from the others, trying to get a kite to fly. His sister was riding her bike around, and kept asking the other boy to keep an eye on her brother.

When I heard Joshua was deaf, I signed to him, “Hello, how are you?” His eyes widened a little, and he signed hello back. He was playing with his kite, and I signed to him that I liked it. He signed that it was his. I signed, “Cool, I like the colors!” He smiled an adorable, great big smile.

Interesting thing for a kid with a cochlear implant to not speak at all and revert to signing, especially when his sister had already told me earlier that he was “lazy” with his signing. Now, maybe this is just how those particular siblings play, each doing their own thing. Maybe Joshua only plays by himself because that’s the way he likes it. Felt to me like he may not be used to so much personal attention from someone who speaks his language (albeit slowly and not very well).

As I was watching the triplets play on the slide, I noticed that Joshua was kicking his foot out. His shoe had come untied and he was trying to figure something out. He looked up at me and caught my eye. I signed to him, “Can I help you out?” He ran right over to me and stuck out his shoe. I quickly tied it for him and signed, “OK, all finished,” and his signed “thank you” with the biggest smile yet.

Shortly thereafter the wind turned quite cold and I gathered the rugrats to take them inside. I signed “see you later” to Joshua, and he signed “bye” back. Cute boy. I can’t say how Joshua’s family treats him, because of course I haven’t any idea, but I hope his family gets him.

While I’m sure Ben’s implant, Colin’s aids and Abby’s mere presence will guarantee that my boys have an easier time in a hearing world, I can’t help but be grateful that my kids have parents who care to learn and love how their kids live, parents that know that not speaking isn’t the same as not communicating. I’m grateful that my kids have resources around them at school and at home that “get” them. (Granted, I’m a slow signer and could use a lot more practice, but I’m trying every day.) I am in awe of the Deaf culture and am honored that I get to try to understand and be a part of it through my children.