When I got home tonight, a friend had posted this very moving video on Facebook, and I wanted to share it. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be so isolated. The video is a little tough to watch, but the payoff is huge.
If you’d like to learn more about Patrick and his story, the Huffington Post published an article about him, here.
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My OBT 
December 12, 2014 at 12:11 am
I could watch this 100 times (and not because that woman is so beautiful)…the unfolding of that boy is so gorgeous. My father is deaf and has been teaching sign since retiring. Amazing how sign gives both the ability to “hear” and speak. As an aside, deaf culture is so rich.
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December 12, 2014 at 12:39 am
That’s lovely! I didn’t realize you had a deaf family member. I have had a couple of non-hearing friends over the years, and I know just what you mean about the richness of deaf culture. I can remember being a little jealous that I didn’t have a tribe like they did. (This was before I realized to which tribe I belonged, obviously.)
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December 12, 2014 at 7:33 am
This is immensely meaningful to me. My daughter, Jennifer, was deafened at age 29. I’m writing a post as we speak about her journey which I may or may not ultimately publish. The isolation of the deaf is almost unbearable and I am so happy to see these smiling faces shining with hope.
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December 12, 2014 at 10:19 am
Wow. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to lose your hearing at 29. Isolation indeed.
I hope you do publish your post about your daughter. The details you’ve shared have really stayed with me, and I’m sure people would really benefit from reading her story (and yours!).
Sending good writing karma your way!
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December 12, 2014 at 10:24 am
It’s as horrible as you could possibly imagine. And the worst part is that nobody loved music more than Jen. I look at the eyes of that boy in the video you posted and just want to weep. Because the hard part to contemplate is that if he is surrounded by others who don’t know sign language, he will remain in isolation. His father needs to learn it and those he interacts with daily. I hope that happens.
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December 12, 2014 at 1:36 pm
I hope he continues to flourish in his new language. So sad in the beginning of this video, but to see that beautiful, closed face open up and smile was just awesome!
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December 12, 2014 at 2:38 pm
I hope he keeps it up, too.
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