Rachel's Blog

[abusch]

I am absolutely in tears. I just read Rachel's blog entry (under the "fun stuff") about Leah winning first place in her schools spelling bee...amazing...wonderful...inspiring!

When I taught High School DHH students, they all had about a 3rd grade reading level. They struggled like crazy to read, , and comprehend what they had read. You have no idea the despair and total frustration I felt when I would have sit in an IEP meeting with the parents of my students and listen to them talk about their children as if they were not sitting right there in the room next to them. These parents did not sign...they had no idea how their children felt every day - knowing their parents still had not accepted them just the way they were.

I think I sit here in tears because I am so inspired by Rachel and Aaron. Here these two have faced some incredible issues in a very short period of time and are raising some amazing kids! Leah's success today is a direct reflection of the time, effort, and endless love Rachel and Aaron have put into her. I thank you so much for sharing your lives and your success stories with all of us die-hard Signing Time fans. I just wish the parents of my former students would have found the strength within themselves and put their children first, like you all have done so beautifully.

Sincerely,

Allison :)

[Rachel]

Allison,
Thank you for that awesome acknowledgment. What makes me excited is that Leah is living proof of the benefits of raising a bilingual deaf child.

Aaron and I are just so proud of Leah. It seemed like the whole auditorium was rooting for her as well. Each time she got a word right, we heard a whispered chorus of "YES!" from many students in the audience.

Within 30 minutes of arriving home from school, Leah's aunties, cousins and grandparents arrived at our home with balloon bouquets and flowers. There are about 5 dozen balloons now! Everyone came to congratulate her and watch the video of her win. You can watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbBTJFy87cE

You can read about it on my blog. You can even subscribe to the blog.
www.signingtime.com/rachel

[fia's mom]

I read the blog and then watched the video. All I can say is WOW!! Leah did an awesome job and should be incredibly proud of herself. I was as excited for her as I was watching as I have been for my own daughter when she has gone to the spelling bee. WAY TO GO, LEAH!!!

[dmmetler]

There is a wonderful series called "The Flying Fingers Club", about a Deaf child and a boy with LD, who become friends-it's a typical children's mystery series except for the Deaf/signing culture aspect. It's published by GUP.

One scene I LOVE is the LD child, who has always really struggled with class spelling bees, who finds that because of all his efforts at communicating with his Deaf friend, which, out of necessity, often involves fingerspelling, he is able, by fingerspelling the words as he hears them in the spelling bee, to get through several rounds before making a mistake-the first time he's been able to do it.

There's just so much benefit to signing-and it's so wonderful when it is so clearly demonstrated. Way to go, Leah!!

[ST! LeeAnn]

I was brought to tears when Rachel announced that Leah had won the spelling bee last night on chat. This morning was a whole new experience for me as I read Rachel's Blog and then watched the video on YouTube. I sent the link to all of my friends who are not a part of our ST! forums. I have been choked up ever since.

[Rachel]

Last night Leah took her winnings ($25 gift card to Barnes & Noble) and when she came home she had 4 new books for herself and in true Leah style, she bought a book for her little sister Lucy.

:D

[3girlsmom]

Congratulations to Leah! It was fun to watch her win! I will have to watch the video again with my 8 1/2 year old. We just watched Akeelah and the Bee this weekend - it is like a theme. I am trying to inspire my oldest to work on her spelling - it has always been a challange for her. Way to go Leah! :D

[tamthompson74]

I was in tears as I watched Leah's spelling bee. I am so proud of Leah. I felt like I was cheering on my own child as I watched. Rachel and Aaron---you two never fail to amaze me at what you do for your children with the busy schedules you have. Good job to all of you! Does Leah move on to a state spelling bee?

[mom2E&G]

Leah is an inspiration to us all!

[becnorris]

I was so happy last night when I found out during chat that Leah had won the spelling bee, but the full effect of it didn't hit me till I was sitting here watching it!!!! How amazing to see all that Leah has become because of her amazing parents and the support she has been given!!!

I too was crying watching the video! Seeing that AWESOME girl that we have watched in so many stages of her life, compete in such a hard event!!! I was watching it knowing full well that I couldn't have spelled them all correctly even now as an adult!!!

CONGRATS LEAH!!!! YOU ARE TOTALLY AMAZING!!!!

[Rachel]

I found out today that Leah's school does not do a district Spelling Bee. I am half relieved and half bummed.

[mandible]

You know, I was amazed by Leah's performance in the spelling bee- because some of those words were hard! Hard for any 5th or 6th grader, really hard for a 4th grader, especially hard for someone who can't always hear all the sounds in a word, and nearly impossible for a grown-up! :o

Leah's a good role model for me... I wish I could spell as well as she does.

[StaceyHay]

Way to go Leah!!! You are an inspiration for all of us. :)

[Sally6473]

*grabs Kleenex* Way to go Leah! That was just awesome. It brought tears to my eyes. She worked so hard for that and absolutely deserves it.