Support Talk Sign campaign
Mother of three deaf children, Bianca Birdsey, encourages the community to buy stickers for Talk Sign Day on 10 March.
DOCTOR Bianca Birdsey has had first-hand experience with the communication challenges faced by families with deaf children, and is in full support of the Talk Sign campaign.
Bianca, mother to three deaf daughters, is the founder of THRIVE Parent Support Group and parent leader on the Global Coalition of Parents with Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
“I’m a firm believer, that what works for a child, is what makes a communication choice appropriate which is why we founded the unbiased parent support programme, THRIVE.”
“Through my journey of learning what best fits my unique girls and through meeting deaf adults who communicate using Sign Language, a campaign like Talk Sign, is so appreciated, as being able to communicate your thoughts and feelings, and being accepted just the way that you are, is key to having a sense of well-being and belonging,” explained Bianca.
Talk Sign has been a friend to THRIVE, as this campaign has supported parents who wish to learn Sign Language. The general awareness created around hearing loss is so powerful, as deaf people deserve to be seen and heard, as important members of society with so much to offer.
“For families with children who have a hearing loss, learning Sign Language can be very challenging. I believe that part of this challenge, is the initial grief experienced by parents as they start their unfamiliar and often overwhelming journey of parenting a deaf child. Again, campaigns that bring awareness, facilitate the learning of this complete language, and foster an overall sense of acceptance of this minority group, are hugely beneficial to families who often feel very alone,” she said.
Talk Sign Sticker Day is on Friday 10 March this year. The public is encouraged to buy and wear a sticker to show their support of deaf awareness and the promotion of South African Sign Language.
Visit www.talksign.co.za to find out where to buy your stickers from or send an email to alice@thealist.co.za to order stickers in bulk for your school or business.
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