By LeeAnn Mason
Words cannot express the amazing experiences over the last 14 years. Our hearts are full as we read the hundreds of emails, reviews, and letters we receive. It has been a privilege to have met so many of you at playgroups, speaking engagements, concerts, and other events. YOU are part of our Signing Time family.
In 2002, Rachel Coleman and her sister, Emilie, created the first Signing Time video to help their friends and family members learn sign language so they could communicate with Rachel’s daughter, Leah, who is deaf. We have been so blessed to see how American Sign Language has given communication to thousands of children who would not have a voice otherwise.
In 2008, Leah wrote an essay for her 5th grade class about her hero – her mom! We asked Aaron Coleman, Rachel’s husband, to record Leah as she expressed her appreciation to her mom. We thought it was appropriate to share it with you in honor of Mother’s Day!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUjZVAV8Tto]
We know many of YOU are mothers and have found our website and products valuable for various reasons. We honor YOU for giving your child the gift of communication using Leah’s first language, American Sign Language. We honor YOU for the sleepless nights, the love, the laughter, and the tears that go along with being a parent. So thank you for signing with us!
We also want to honor Rachel for making a difference, not only for Leah, but for individual families all over the world. Rachel has touched the lives of so many as she cares and shares her love to people everywhere.
In 2008 and 2012 Rachel & the Signing Time Foundation traveled to Ghana Africa, in partnership with Signs of Hope International, to help deaf children in Ghana attend school, improve teacher training, and increase deaf awareness. She has attended many Buddy Walks and Conferences. Rachel’s newest project is focused on helping other families who find them in a similar situation as she and Aaron were in in 1997, when they found out Leah was deaf. This project is brought to YOU through MyDeafChild.org and SignItASL.com.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_Khnd5tqEI]
We want to thank the Deaf Community for sharing their beautiful language to assist so many families. We want to thank the thousands of families who have become part of our family. We dedicate this video to YOU. Thank you for signing with us!
Our vision of the world is one in which all children – regardless of their abilities – can express themselves, feel valued and understood, and be supported in achieving their full potential. This would not be possible without American Sign Language.
Happy Mother’s Day!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lACX28immT8]