No, My Dog Didn't Eat My Keyboard: My Excuse For Not Blogging Lately

Orion and Dad swings away at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, TX.

My mind has been brimming with continuous feed of newfound knowledge, realizations, discoveries, developments that's been keeping me away from blogging lately.

What's the inspiration?  Deafblind Intervener information!  I was invited to test some Open Hands, Open Access (OHOA) online modules that were developed for intervener training (not available nationwide yet, still in development). From the modules I've been a "student" in, I picked up increased awareness and skills I can use with Orion.

I can tell you right now Orion LOVES affirmation. Affirmation is letting him know I see what he's doing, I recognize his actions, basically by copying what he does.  He laughs, he smiles in response… we're having experiences together. I could go on and on about the other things I've been enlightened with. Another day!

In addition to testing, I am also so honored to be a contributor in one of the upcoming modules as a parent of a deafblind child.  The contributors are teachers (of the Deaf/HH and/or Vision), interveners, state outreach specialists, parents and so on.  I am learning so much from my module buddies!

You can read a little more about the OHOA modules at: https://nationaldb.org/library/page/2269

You can watch an upcoming webinar, "Looking to the Future of Deaf-Blind Services and the Role of Interveners", (February 12, 2014 at 3 pm).  You don't need to register to participate.  It will be captioned and recorded.  To link to the webinar, visit https://nationaldb.org/events/detail/0/187

Life isn't all rosy, yes, I'll take life with the pits and stray bones… I am so thankful for things to be motivated about.  Orion is growing up, his communication is developing slowly but truly, I'm tuned-in better on his movements.  I'm puzzled more because I recognize meaningful movements and need to figure them out.  I know what to watch for now and how to respond to Orion when he makes certain movements.  I feel empowered and able to elaborate interactions with Orion and his environment.  (It takes a village to raise a Deafblind child.  His teacher and intervener at school are doing their part, too.)