Tips for parents of deaf children starting school

This week Andy posted on the limping chicken site his tips for parents of deaf children starting school

It’s that time of year again – back to school time. Yesterday I gave my boy an almost teary but fatherly thumbs up as he walked off down the road towards his new future as a secondary school pupil.
Unlike the first day at primary school, kisses and cuddles are no longer cool. They’d be embarrassing. Actually, is the word ‘cool’ even cool anymore? Or is it ‘sick’ these days? Is ‘sick’ the new ‘cool’ or is ‘cool’ no longer a ‘sick’ word? Oh, I don’t know.. I’m just showing my age.
One thing that is for certain is that things have changed around here in the last seven years. The little boy who ran into my arms at the end of his very first school day now has styled hair, a powerful right foot strike and he can give me a memorable dead leg (if he catches me right). I’m still the boss around these parts though. Occasionally a grimacing and limping boss, but the boss nonetheless.
For those of you taking little deaf children to mainstream primary school today, the power behind junior’s punch or kick is probably not something on your mind, unless its been one of ‘those’ mornings. There is a world of worry going on about how your deaf child will cope in mainstream school. A plethora of considerations and anxieties and rightly so. You need this to go well and so do they.
I’m a veteran of mainstream primary school parenting now. I graduated along with my son at the end of July and I’ve had all summer to think about the experience from a parent’s perspective.
So, if you’re interested, I wrote down the advice that I’d give to anyone if they asked about how to get the best out of it. Here it is! ....    For the full post click here

Signature 2013 Regional winners announced

Today Signature 2013 Regional winners were announced and PDDCS people are among the winners.

In 2011 Tara won 'Young Learner of the Year'. Last year Tara started teaching for a local BSL company. She has clearly made an impression with her teaching abilities as this time she has been selected as East of England Teacher of the Year. Well done!

This year Andy Palmer, PDDCS committee member was shortlisted and has won East of England 'Learner of the Year'. Well done!

Andy Palmer and Limping Chicken

Today Limping Chicken featured a post about Andy Palmer, the mastermind behind this PDDCS site.

To read all about Andy; growing up in a deaf family, being a CODA, his time as a sports journalist, his work at Action on Hearing Loss and his involvement with the local deaf children's charity, click here to link to the Limping Chicken website.

Casterton Business and Enterprise College supports PDDCS in 2012-13

One of the four houses at Casterton Business and Enterprise College has chosen to support PDDCS as their charity of the year in 2012-13.

The Green House as they are known, will be raising money for PDDCS through a range of events taking place over the academic year with students raising or donating all of the money. The Green House raised over £800 for their nominated charity last year which if they repeat the feat this time, will be a huge boost.

Committee member Andy Palmer is due at the school to talk about the charity and deafness and teach the students a little sign language. He said: "This is brilliant news and hopefully the money raised by the kids from the Green Team at Casterton will help pay for some of our events in the coming year - can't thank the Green House enough for nominating us."

He continued: "And in recognition I promise the Casterton College Green kids a free sign language lesson once the total raised reaches £500."

Keep it here for more information on the fundraising events through the year..

Pleased to announce that @cbectweets Casterton College Green House will be supporting PDDCS this year! Thanks! pddcs.co.uk/2012/09/caster…
— PDDCS (@PDDCS) September 25, 2012

Bergerac

More video appearances coming from PDDCS members! This time in the classic BBC TV series, Bergerac.



Here's the original if you're wondering ..

Inspirational Deaf Role Model Event in Peterborough

We have a very special evening for deaf young people in Peterborough on September 21st 2012.


Film makers Charlie Swinbourne and Ted Evans will be coming to the John Clare Theatre in Peterborough to show off their creative work and inspire the next generation to follow their dreams and overcome barriers to be the best they can be.

The event is free to young deaf people aged 13-30 and their parent or guardian at the John Clare Theatre, Peterborough from 7pm on the 21st September 2012. BSL interpreters and speech to text will be provided.

For tickets - Email Andy Palmer andypalmer177@hotmail.com or call or text 07949 571173

Our two esteemed guests will be showcasing some of their work and talking about what it takes to make a successful career and be deaf.

Here is what they are all about:

Ted Evans
I am a highly creative, motivated person with a huge passion and drive to excel in my profession. I thrive upon all aspects of pre-production, production and post-production, and find the whole process of film making extremely fulfilling and enjoyable.

I have been involved in some fantastic productions, which have offered me valuable opportunities. Through my work in the mainstream and in both the Deaf and the disabled community, I have honed and developed my skills. I currently work freelance, which allows me to collaborate and work with a variety of exciting media and production companies.

As a freelance filmmaker, I have built up a pool of regular clients and take on large projects, often putting together a team, delivering to the client’s specifications with professionalism and efficiency. You can check out more about Ted here.

Ted recently created this hit film about inspiring the deaf people of the world.


From us to You from Ted Evans on Vimeo.

Charlie Swinbourne
I’m a freelance journalist and scriptwriter – often (but not always!) writing about the world I know: I’m partially deaf and grew up in a deaf family.

As a journalist, I’ve written for the Guardian, with a piece for G2 in January revealing the world’s funniest live subtitling mistake. I’ve contributed to Radio 4 programmes on deafness, and recently appeared on BBC News giving my verdict on some revolutionary subtitled glasses.

I wrote a humorous column on deaf culture for the BBC’s Ouch website for three years, and have also worked in TV for the BBC and Channel 4. To read my work, check out the Journalism section.

I’m now the editor of a brand-new website offering news, features and opinion on deaf issues and culture in the UK – called The Limping Chicken. Along with publishing a range of writers, I write a regular column about being a deaf stay-at-home dad, and other news and opinion articles too. Since it was set up three months ago, it’s had over 140,000 hits. Check it out!

As a scriptwriter, I’ve created a series of award-winning dramas about deaf characters, in sign language. My latest script is the half-hour drama My Song, about a girl stuck between the deaf and hearing worlds (broadcast last summer on digital TV and online).Other credits include hospital drama Departure Lounge, mini-series The Fingerspellers, the cheeky comedy Coming Out and my directing debut, Four Deaf Yorkshiremen.

In 2009, I also wrote the play Lipstick and Lollipops for Deafinitely Theatre. My latest film, The Kiss is now in post production after being shot last October. To watch all my films in full, read reviews of them and find out about the directors, cast and crew, go to the Filmssection.

All this is from Charlie's website here:

Check out Charlie's popular film - My Song

Check out the Poster for the Event ..
Deaf Role Model Night Peterborough 21st September 2012

This page is also hosted permanently on this site here:

Fascinating insight into life for deaf children in 1954

Last week my father bought to my attention two videos that had been uploaded to YouTube of a documentary into life at the Royal School for Deaf Children in Margate from 1954. Unfortunately, the videos were not subtitled so Teresa Quail and myself set about the task of transcribing the videos and re-uploading them for all to enjoy.

The video is particularly close to my heart because in part two it features my mother, Catherine, as an eight-year-old girl enjoying class with her friend Linda Fincham who has remained a friend of our family for years.

It's provides a fascinating insight into school life and the approaches to educating deaf children sixty years ago. In the second part of the film, the children are discussing a book called 'Little Black Sambo' which was popular in the first part of the 20th century. Since then the book has fallen out of favour in schools because the language and illustrations are not appropriate today. For more information on this book, please see it's Wikipedia entry.

Please click the 'CC' button at the bottom right of the screen to access the subtitles.

Poetry - Andy's Answer!

Are you sitting comfortably,
For another instalment of poetry?
I found myself with fifteen free
which I'm using to write expressively

See I gotta win this poetry war
I gotta try and settle the score
Zaimah's sonnet knocked off my socks
Now its my turn to write something that rocks

I could write about the wind and rain
But I think that would be a little mundane
I could write about a walk in the park.
A lark, a shark or a question mark.

I could write about the beautiful scene
At sunset when I was seventeen
Or the time I ran in the pouring rain
Soaked to the skin and never again

I could tell you all about what it was like
When I crashed my car into a dyke
Or explain my feelings of joy in this rhyme
Of when I saw my son for the very first time

So many things a poem can express
A poem can bring out your very, very best
So Zamiah (or your friends) I await your poetic reply
But until then, enjoy your holidays ... and goodbye!

By Andy

Your turn!

John and Andy in the Evening Telegraph

John and Andy

Outgoing President John Cheetham and Secretary (at the time) Andy Palmer are in tonight's Evening Telegraph on page 21.

Andy is pictured handing a specially engraved tankard to John to mark his term as President and thank him for all his work on behalf of the area's deaf children. John served for over 25 years as President allowing PDDCS to benefit from his vast experience and contacts in the charities sector both locally and nationally. More recently, John has been instrumental in bringing Music and the Deaf to the city. John will remain on the committee.

In other news, Andy Palmer has stepped down as Secretary after his latest two-year stint but will also remain on committee to focus on PDDCS News, Hi-Five Bulletin and some special events. Andy is replaced by returning former secretary Jill Medlock. Leaving the committee are Debbie Powell, Anna Baker, Tony Brigeman and Linda Angus who PDDCS would like to thank for their efforts.

Outstanding Chairperson, Nicola Epathite, remains at the helm with Dean Monaf as Vice Chair. The rest of the committee remains the same with Adrian Fisher and Debbie Reilly joining the fold. Many thanks to all the committee, past and present, for their support in this successful year.

Anonymous £500 boosts fire family appeal

A generous anonymous donor boosted the PDDCS appeal to help a local family of a deaf child forced to leave home after a devastating fire.

Secretary Andy Palmer presented the £500 cheque to Louisa Stokes at her home on Saturday and saw for himself the progress that is being made, in part, thanks to the £800 already donated and the time and effort of the volunteers who helped out in the weeks following the fire.

"The house is looking much better. The walls are clean and white and new door frames and skirting boards look good" Andy Palmer said.

"Louisa has been through so much and has worked continuously to get her home back to a condition where her children can come back. I have so much respect for her resilience and spirit in such difficult circumstances. I would also like to pay tribute to everyone who has donated so far, be it time, toys, clothes or money. It has all made a difference. I would also like to give a mention to the anonymous donor who boosted the appeal by £500. Thank you so much. Thanks again to everyone who has helped so far." he said.

There is still lots to do in the house including replacing furniture, carpets, the kitchen and replacing blinds and curtains. The house is still not fit for children to live in. All the work to come costs money so if you think you can contribute, please visit the Virgin Money giving page. It only takes a moment and every little helps.

PDDCS raises £700 for Local Fire Family .. but so much more to do

Andy Palmer, Secretary of the society handed over cheques worth over £650 to Louise Stokes, mother of deaf child and PDDCS member Charley, to go towards the cost of repairing her house following a fire in February that caused extensive damage and rendered the property uninhabitable. Back then the family was separated and they are still not back together.

Andy Palmer handing over cheques worth £650 to Louisa Stokes

Louisa said: "Thanks so much for the donations. They will help to cover the cost of plastering the house - the whole house had to be re-done and that alone cost me over £1000.

"The kids aren't back yet - this has all taken longer than I realised it would but I will keep working till they are back and the house is put right."

The donation was made up from the generosity of people via the Virgin Giving page. £150 from the Peterborough Lions and £100 from a paint company. A very big thanks to all those who have donated so far - the money makes a big difference. In addition, Louisa also thanked people for the kind donations of toys, furniture and clothes. "It means so much to me" she said. "I don't know most of the  people who have helped and I just want to say a big thanks for everything." 

Back in February and March, teams of volunteers from Action on Hearing Loss, Jack Hunt School and Peterborough Sensory Support Services volunteered to help get some of the work done and made some progress but three months on from the fire and work still continues on the house. "There is still much to be done". said Andy Palmer.

"The house still needs to be painted throughout. All the carpets must be replaced and all the electrical fittings must also be changed as they are blackened and in some cases warped. A downstairs window must also be replaced as it cannot be opened thanks to the heat from the fire." he continued. 

"I renew the appeal for people's generosity. The Virgin Giving page is still up and running and we have a new target to reach of £1,000 which will help cover the cost of paint and some carpeting. If anyone can help with ideas or a donation, then the sooner this little girl and her family are reunited."

To make a donation, please visit the Virgin Giving page or if you can offer help in another way, please contact Louisa direct on 07989 435395


New Update .. 

William Palmer on the Cover of Action on Hearing Loss Magazine

Member William Palmer features on the cover of Action on Hearing Loss Magazine this month with a story on the inside written by his Dad, Andy.

See the article is below:

Andy and William New

William and Andy Palmer's Radio Interview with Subtitles

This is the audio and text from BBC's Radio Cambridgeshire's Peterborough Breakfast Show, featuring William and Andy Palmer on Jeans for Genes Day.

 

William and Andrew Palmer on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Friday Morning

Fresh from being on TV last month and Yours Magazine this week, PDDCS member William Palmer and his Dad (also our Secretary) will be on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Friday talking to Paul Stainton about Jeans for Genes Day, genetic deafness and cochlear implants.

They're due to be on sometime after 8am. You can tune in on your digital radio or on 95.7FM. Unfortunately, we don't think the programme is available to listen online. There will be a transcript available shortly afterwards for those who don't listen to the radio, which will be available through PDDCS News

(Picture: From left: BBC's Paul Stainton, William and Andy Palmer)

Watch The Wright Stuff Extra with William and Andy Palmer (with subtitles)

Local member William Palmer and his Dad and our Secretary, Andy, were on the Wright Stuff Extra on September 6th talking about family deafness, cochlear implants and the Monkees...

This version has subtitles in case you missed it. The Channel 5 online version did not include subtitles for the hearing impaired.

Action on Hearing Loss also have a transcript of the interview which you can read here.

Andy and William Palmer on live TV on Tuesday

Gabby Logan and William and Andy Palmer

Andy (me) and William Palmer will be appearing on Channel 5's the Wright Stuff Extra to do a live interview on Tuesday 6th September about growing up with deafness and cochlear implants.

The Wright Stuff Extra doesn't normally have subtitles. I have asked that the show be subtitled - the production team on the show are trying to arrange a BSL interpreter too. If the show isn't subtitled live, a recording with subtitles will be available on this site afterwards.

The show starts at 11.10am on Tuesday.. Wish us luck!

Update - watch the show here: