The Impact of Deaf Mentors in New Mexico… Working with D iverse Families

1. The Impact of Deaf Mentors in New Mexico… Working with Diverse Families Stacy Abrams, Deaf Mentor Program Coordinator Joseph Lopez, Full time Deaf Mentor (Southwest) Norah Matthews, Full time Deaf Mentor (Southeast) • A:Deaf Mentor is a member in the Community too • The DM and the familiesinto each other in the community reflects the fact that the Deaf individual leads their own life. • the Deaf Mentor shares resources and connections to another support services in the community. • The DM eposes different early intervention agencies to ASL, and collaboration opportunities between agencies and NMSD for families. • Ethnic connection is important so family can relate and accept in home. However, coming from a different ethnic background is very important as that enables to a new perspective that allows children to have access to different ideas. • Observing deaf adult model communication with their children teaches familieshow to communicate with their child. • Deaf mentor allows me to learn how to signs to share our home culture with our son through communication. Q:What is important to families about their Deaf Mentor? What convinced families to participate in the program? • A:Deaf child will become a Deaf adult • First exposure to a Deaf adult leads to realization that their Deaf child has to grow up someday. • The Deaf mentor shares their experiences growing up Deaf. Shares advices and ideas. • Allows families to parallel their home culture to the Deaf culture. A: “It’s much better to meet a live Deaf person than read about it in books. A new world opens up once we met our Deaf mentor.”- Dad A: “The realization that my child will be an adult someday. I have no idea what lives deaf adults lead. I wanted to see one in action. So I can prepare my daughter for whatever comes her way. The best way is to meet deaf adults and learn about their experiences. Our child will never be hearing regardless of their hearing level. That was why we wanted to participate in the Deaf Mentor Program.” – Mom “We want to raise our children so that they can take a sense of pleasure in both their own heritage and the diversity of others.”  -Fred Rogers (1994) You Are Special: Words of Wisdom for All Ages from a Beloved Neighbor Having access to a Deaf mentor provides families with the understanding that their deaf child can be a member of both worlds. It is their responsibilities to provide that access to their Deaf child. The Deaf adult becomes the link to access to both worlds.