What It's Like To Be Deaf and Advocate for the Deaf Community

What It's Like To...

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At age 10, Rachel Zemach lost her her hearing in an accident. That obviously changed her life--but, she says, becoming deaf was one of her life's greatest gifts. In this episode, Rachel shares her experiences going through the world with and without hearing, and offers advice on how hearing people can help and advocate for deaf people (including words and actions both to use and to avoid--hint: don't assume all deaf people can lip read!). Rachel also offers her opinions about cochlear implants; teaching deaf kids and their parents American Sign Language; the strength and humor of the deaf community; and much more. She spent many years as a teacher of deaf children, and recently wrote a book, "The Butterfly Cage," chronicling her experiences and observations.
In this episode:
03:37--Describing coming home from the hospital at age 10 and realizing things were different
05:13--How and why Rachel's love and language stayed strong
07:21--Some of the "great gifts" she has experienced being part of the deaf community
10:49--Frustrations and challenges Rachel faces
14:31--Cochlear implants: what they are, how Rachel feels about them, and the benefits of learning ASL
20:47--Why many doctors tell parents of deaf children not to learn ASL, and the harm that causes
26:01--Rachel's thoughts on the state of advocacy for deaf people
30:26-Rachel's advice to parents of deaf children
31:25--The experience of writing a book about her years teaching deaf children
33:42--Tips on things hearing people should (and should not) do and say to deaf people

Want to know more about Rachel?

• Link up with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-zemach/
• Tweet her on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachel_zemach
• Search up her website: www.rachelzemach.com
• Buy her book, The Butterfly Cage, at www.bookshop.org

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