What is the title and URL of your blog? :
The Ear of My Heart, http://www.earofmyheart.com/wordpress/ (Guide note: Not everything LaRonda writes is about deafness, but most of it is).
Why did you give your blog that title? :
The title is from St. Benedict's prologue, which says 'listen carefully...and attend with the ear of our hearts.' He urged us to listen within our soul, inclining our hearts toward understanding. His words are timeless and universal, and provide insight into wisdom, especially amidst adversity. It is not about being able to hear. It is about LISTENING to what people are really saying. This is what it means to listen with 'the ear of my heart.' I wanted to speak from my heart and I am learning to listen. Occasionally words seem to come from some divine place. The title fits where I am.
Why did you start your blog? :
I began my tale of suddenly becoming deaf 26 years earlier at 17, and of finding my way as a deaf person. Writing nourished my spirit. I was surprised with truths. Writing became a revelation. My screen became a window to my soul, and I often found God looking back. It inspired me to begin a book.
My posts tell of being born "hearing" in a world with rhythm and song, then losing hearing due to side effects of medication. I write about waking up to a silent world. My blog is the story of my journey into deafhood. Guided by the ear of my heart, my blogs express my personal and spiritual insights of the journey.
What kind of things do you typically blog about? :
I share stories of life for me as a deafened daughter, student, professional, wife, and mother, and of the process of discovering my wings. I also write stories and comments on other people's blogs and vlogs to inspire others to find deeper meaning and to encourage them to live with courage, hope, open-mindedness and love, rather than resistance, fear, judgment or hate. Though not necessarily religious, my writings are deeply spiritual. My vlogs also search for meaning, express deep gratitude and spread a little "heartshine." Unique to my blog are the photos I embed, which bring forth moods and the essence or tone.
Do you have any personal favorite past blog posts? :
My first blog post "The Initiation," a conversation I imagine, sets the tone.
"Deaf At Age 17 ," "Finding Grace on the Road Less Traveled," and "Embracing Deafhood" were turning points in my life. "Deafhood: A Hero's Journey" got very moving comments.
I have a few posts about parenting a hearing child as a deaf mom. It's always fun when I write about my son. They are under the "Parenting" category on the side bar of my blog. In addition, the response has been overwhelming and positive to my first vlog post "A Fable for Deaf Children: The Tortoise and The Hare."
How often do you usually blog? :
I blog and vlog when I am inspired. Usually I write or make a vlog after I have LISTENED long enough to the tone of other blogs in the deaf community, and when I have have been moved by them. I usually post things when my creative muse strikes. A few times, I have posted as much as 2-3 stories a day! However, I on the average, I put up a blog post about once a week. The vlog posts take longer to make so they come out every 1-3 weeks.
What role do you see your blog playing in the deaf community?:
I consider myself a "steward" - a protector, supporter and advocate. I write to inspire deaf, hard of hearing, late-deaf and deaf-blind to bring forth their creative talents. I see my role as a muse that gets people thinking and helps them identify strengths. I want to help diverse groups find their own voice, stand their ground, make choices, and define their identity and purpose. Through my stories and questions I strive to inspire others to find deeper meaning. My blogs and vlogs are positive, encouraging and uplifting. I usually make supportive blog comments.
What do you do when you are not blogging? :
When I am not writing, I enjoy reading (see my book interests on the side bar), deep breathing, nature walks, laughing with my son and kissing my husband. You can often find me writing for other venues such as newsletters, newspapers, websites, or giving inspirational community workshop presentations and speaking at special events. I am very comfortable and in my element when talking/signing with groups of people about life experiences and finding meaning. Occasionally, you can find me doing some kind of fundraising and/or event planning for the deaf community, or for my classmates, or large extended family.
Anything else you would like for readers new to your blog to know?:
I became deaf as a result of medication for Toxic Shock Syndrome. I attended Gallaudet for 1 semester in 1984, and I was in Gallaudet's Children's Theatre for the Deaf production of "The Beauty and The Beast." Great memories! Great times! I have a BA in Deaf Studies from CSUN (Northridge, CA) and an MS in Counseling, Deaf from WOU, in Oregon. I am a Family Life Coordinator/Certified Parent Educator at St. Joseph’s Center for the Deaf (SJCD), a nonprofit organization in Hayward, CA. Previously, I was a Certified School Counselor at 2 deaf residential schools up in the Pacific Northwest.
