Additional Resources

2006-0169

AND THE JOURNEY BEGINS, Axelrod, Cyril. -- Douglas McLean: 2005, 228. This is the autobiography of a man who was born deaf and later lost his vision due to retinitis pigmentosa.  He was raised as a Jew, but became a Catholic priest.  This story chronicles his life and work.

2001-0604

BRAVO!  MISS BROWN: A World Without Sight and Sound, Mactavish, Joan. -- Cavu, Inc. 2000, 392. This is a non-fiction book about a deaf-blind Canadian woman, Mae Brown.  She was the first deaf-blind person to graduate from the University of Toronto.  The book tells of her journey and accomplishments.  

1995-0502

CONSUMERS SPEAK OUT, Carr, Theresa S. -- Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. 1995, 71-85. This book chapter summarizes responses obtained through interviews with seven individuals who received services from the Helen Keller National Center in the spring of 1993.  The goal of this book chapter is to introduce novice service providers to the population of individuals who are deaf-blind and remind more experienced service providers of the diverse experiences, needs, and dreams of this low-incidence population.  The results of these interviews reinforce four particular themes:  1) the importance of employment and community living; 2) the importance of effective communication; 3) the need for friendships and other relationships; and 4) the importance of engaging in satisfying leisure and recreation activities.

Supporting Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind in Their Communities. Jane M. Everson (Ed.)

1993-2314

LIVING WITH DEAF-BLINDNESS: NINE PROFILES, Yoken, Carol. -- Gallaudet College: 1979, 175 p. This book introduces students and professional workers to nine deaf-blind people including four born with severe or profound hearing loss who gradually lost most or all of their vision due to retinitis pigmentosa; two who suffered sudden, concurrent loss of hearing and vision; two with severely impaired vision as young children who later developed hearing loss; and one person who lost his vision in his early 20s and his hearing 20 years later.

2000-0708

MISS(ED) COMMUNICATION, Kozlik, Lisa. 2000, 1. This is a poem written by a 29 year-old college student who is deafblind.  It describes her experiences and missed communication as a result of being a deafblind adult.   This document is available on the web at: http://www.tr.wou.edu/tr/dbp/pdf/sept00.pdf

DEAF-BLIND PERSPECTIVES, vol. 8, #1, Fall 2000, p. 5.

2002-0093

ORCHID OF THE BAYOU: A Deaf Woman Faces Blindness, Carroll, Cathryn, Fischer, Catherine Hoffpauir. -- Gallaudet University Press: 2001, 253. The story of Catherine (Kitty) Fischer who discovered as an adult that she suffered from Usher syndrome.  Addresses her upbringing and Louisiana Cajun heritage, early adult life, and how she coped with the diagnosis of Usher syndrome. 

2007-0345

SILENCE WITH A TOUCH: Living with Usher Syndrome, National Technical Institute for the Deaf: 2006, 26 minutes. This DVD introduces several individuals, from early adolescence to adulthood, who are living with Usher Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes both hearing loss and progressive vision loss. The individuals profiled are shown in a variety of settings including at school, at home, and in places of employment. All speak about how Usher Syndrome has changed their lives and about the adjustments and challenges they face. It was produced by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in cooperation with the New York State Technical Assistance Project Serving Children and Youth Who Are Deafblind. To order, send a check or money order payable to Teachers College for $20.00 (U.S.) or $25.00 (International). The cost includes postage and handling fees. Mail to New York State Technical Assistance Project, Teachers College Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, Box 223, New York, NY 10027. For further information, call 212-678-8188, e-mail nystap@tc.edu, or go to http://www.tc.columbia.edu/nystap/detail.asp?id=dvd.

2009-0010

SUDDENLY SLOW: Poems, Clark, John Lee. -- Handtype Press: 2008, 32."Suddenly Slow: Poems," is a limited edition chapbook that showcases sixteen poems by the award-winning deaf-blind poet, John Lee Clark. Clark was born deaf and became progressively blind beginning in early adolescence. Through his poems, "Clark is making sense of a world that comes to him differently," says Morgan Grayce Willow, the author of two books of poetry. "All we need do is place our trust in the crook of the arm of this DeafBlind poet; he then leads us into a world where 'there is no answer in sight.' This is a world of broadened vision emerging from narrower sight, of heightened passion blossoming from experience at a slower pace. Each lyric along the journey into this poet’s 'kind of light' rewards our trust." Cost: $8.00.   Publisher's web site: http://www.handtype.com

2000-0265

VICTORY, MEASURED BY THE HEART, Hane, John. 1999.  An article highlighting the successful efforts of a woman with Usher Syndrome completing a triathlon with the assistance of a support team of interpreters and guides.  Describes Maricar Marquez's experiences as a woman who is deaf-blind and her will to do many things including rock climbing, exploring caves, skydiving, and triathlon.   DEAF-BLIND AMERICAN, vol. 37, #3, April-June 1999, pp. 11- 14.

2005-0028

WORDS IN MY HANDS: A Teacher, a Deaf-Blind Man, an Unforgettable Journey, Chambers, Diane. -- Ellexa Press LLC: 2004, 263. After his wife died when he was 86, Bert Reidel, a man with Usher Syndrome, moved to Colorado to live with his son and daughter-in-law. Although Bert was an expert Braille reader, he had never learned sign language and his wife had been his “eyes and ears” to the world. This book tells the story of Bert’s life and how he learned sign language beginning at age 86. It illustrates that it is never too late to learn as it describes how sign language transformed not only Bert’s life, but the lives of his family, friends, and the interpreter who was his sign language teacher. Cost $15.95. Available from Ellexa Press LLC, 32262 Steven Way, Conifer, CO 80433. Fax: 303- 838-7010. E-mail: dlc@ellexapress.CityMax.com.   Publisher's web site: http://www.ellexapress.citymax.com