Review of Deaf Daughter, Hearing Father

Deaf Daughter, Hearing Father starts with a strong focus on the child's (Miranda "Randi" Medugno) deafness. Then it becomes a book about a father (Richard Medugno) with a daughter who happens to be deaf.

The Medugnos chose American Sign Language (ASL) instead of oral education. As a result of the Medugnos' choice, Miranda grows up with ASL as her first language.

It is an honest book. Medugno is a writer, and it shows. He does not mince words when describing his reaction to his daughter Miranda's deafness. In fact, he had never met a deaf person before her diagnosis.

Early Years

Miranda gets more language exposure from early intervention teachers. Plus, a local nonprofit organization gives them free sign language "classes" at home. Through these services, the Medugnos become acquainted with deaf adults. They even find and hire deaf babysitters.

Miranda's deaf childhood continues as she attends a deaf preschool, and her father perseveres in sign language classes. During this time, her father also becomes close friends with Gary Malkowski, who was a deaf politician in Canada at that time.

Elementary School

For elementary school, the Medugnos consider several schools before settling on the California School for the Deaf - Fremont (CSDF). Miranda thrives at CSDF, where she befriends a child who is deaf of deaf parents.

However, in her first years at CSDF, Miranda is tracked into a "B" clas. Most students in the lower class track are less attentive, so the quality of education is not as good. Not only that, students in the "B" classes do not get the privileges given to students in the "A" class. It takes Miranda a few years to work her way out of the "B" class and into the "A" class.

Medugno embraces ASL so thoroughly that he finds it "shocking and sad" when he is asked to write an article for the school newsletter explaining why parents of deaf children should learn sign language. In an excerpt from the article, Medugno likens parenting a signing deaf child without learning sign language, to trying to drive a car without a steering wheel.

Good Aspects

I wish more segments were like "Hearing Brother, Deaf Sister," about raising Miranda's hearing brother with a deaf sister. The Medugnos do not sign all the time when Miranda is around to recognize their hearing son's right to speak without signing.

Another good part is about other hearing family members. Medugno tells how he feels when Miranda is left out by hearing cousins. The Medugnos learn how to "facilitate" and cope through tactics such as inviting other deaf children to family events.

One of the best segments is "Did You Want a Deaf Baby?" In that chapter, Medugno honestly describes his struggle to answer when confronted by Miranda with that question. As a deaf parent of hearing children, I never had to deal with that question. Plus, I didn't know that deaf children sometimes asked their hearing parents that. I certainly never asked my parents that.

Weak Aspects

One weak area is literacy. It is barely touched on. He acknowledges that Miranda's English is behind. This is illustrated by examples of her writing. By fall of sixth grade, she is reading at second to third grade level. However, as she matures, her reading improves.

In my opinion, one of the weak aspects (some people may consider it positive) is that deafness seems secondary at times. Deafness is woven into the fabric of daily life. For instance, Medugno recalls deaf summer camp, sports with deaf and hearing girls, acting in school plays, and a Britney Spears craze. Another example is the title of the last chapter, "Middle School, Break Out the Mascara."

After reading about the pleasure the Medugnos had in raising their daughter who happened to be deaf, with ASL, it was surprising to discover through Medugno's blog Deaf Daugher, Hearing Father that Miranda was struck with anorexia later on in middle school. Needless to say, it was a hard time for the family as they tried to get Miranda to eat. In an email, Medugno explained that anorexia is something Miranda will continue to struggle to control. Miranda even shared her experience with anorexia on the stage at CSDF.

Unfortunately, the Medugnos also divorced. According to Medugno, Miranda's deafness did not play any role in the divorce, and in fact, her deafness may have held the marriage together for awhile.

Randi Medugno graduated from CSDF in June 2009, and chose to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. She now loves to read, and Medugno expects that she will continue reading and improving her literacy skills.

_Source:

Email interview with Richard Medugno, May 2009.