Dear Lipreading Mom Followers, Happy 2020 to you! Thank you for taking the time to follow my blog and read the posts. I will continue to play an active role in blogging this year. And I also have some interesting updates to share with you in the near future. Stay tuned. Blessings, Shanna
“But You Speak So Well”, and Other Comments (And Squeals) Overheard by Lipreading Mom
One of the most challenging aspects of my teaching job is lip-reading multiple speakers’ voices during group meetings. When hands go up for Q & A at the end of staff meetings, I try hard to decipher what is being spoken from multiple mouths scattered across the room. Of course, it helps when the meeting … Continue reading
It Took Two Years Before I’d Let This Much of Myself Show
Nearly 30 years after the Americans Disabilities Act was signed into law, I’ve noticed that some employees continue to hide their hearing loss at work or do not request accommodations. Fellow blogger Shari Eberts wrote a compelling post called How to Combat the Stigma of Hearing Loss, which I highly recommend reading. There are a … Continue reading
Lessons in Advocacy from ALDA
This weekend, I had the opportunity to present the workshop “Thriving with Hearing Loss” at the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) national convention. This was my first ALDA event and, I must confess, ALDA members are some of the best advocates I have ever seen. Here is a glimpse at what I learned from listening … Continue reading
What is Equity? A Look at Inclusion from a Teacher with Hearing Loss
Recently, I blogged about working with my school district’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee and shared my own inclusion story. Every day at my job is an opportunity to advocate for the needs of my students with special needs. This includes advocating for proper accommodations in the classroom so that they can have an equitable, inclusive … Continue reading
Why Disability Should Be Part of Diversity Conversations in our Schools
I serve on my school district’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee. The focus is making our schools friendly and welcoming to all students, staff, and families. Conversations in the room range from better supporting the diversity of our students to promoting more inclusive hiring practices. Each committee member brings a different story. Here is how my … Continue reading
A Book Project Nine Years in the Making
It has been five years since I stopped writing books. Recently I met with two friends, one an author/editor and one an author/book agent. When they asked why I stopped, the answer wasn’t clear. Was it burnout? Work and family stuff competing for time? Lack of interest? After one of these friends prayed, I felt … Continue reading
What is the Easiest Speech Sound to Lip Read?
I recently finished teaching a lip reading class in the Kansas City area. One of the questions I asked attendees was, “When it comes to lip reading, what is the most visible speech sound?” Several hands were raised. “The /M/ sound,” said a gentleman who lost some hearing in the military. “I think it’s the … Continue reading
Order Confessions of a Lip Reading Mom Soon Before It Goes Out of Print
If you would like to order copy of my second book Confessions of a Lip Reading Mom, the publisher will be discontinuing distribution and sales of the book very soon. You can order it on Amazon through the next few days. It will not be available for purchase after that and will be considered “out … Continue reading
When Your Hearing Aid Breaks and You Are Grieving
The past month has been filled with holiday and birthday celebrations, time off from work, snow, and special memories with family. We were excited to have my parents come for Christmas. After hugging each other for dear life Christmas morning, we said our goodbyes to mom and dad who left to visit other family members. … Continue reading
