Celebrating Christmas with Children Who are Deaf Or Hard of Hearing

Once a year, Boys Town National Research Hospital and the Metro Regional Programs for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, sponsors a holiday party. What’s so unique about this experience is that the children and their families see the physicians that have served them over the years, early interventionists, educators, audiologists and speech pathologists. It's just a wonderful opportunity for us to gather once a year and see how the children are growing and celebrating their communication. We have Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa uses sign language and Mrs. Clause uses spoken language. So, all different children using different communication methodologies can express their wishes. We have cookie decorating, ornament making, face painting, just all kinds of party activities that children would enjoy anywhere. I think this is our fifth or sixth year coming, we love Boys Town. Our youngest son has bi-lateral cochlear implants so we’ve been here for lots of reasons. Every experience we’ve ever had here has been awesome and the boys have a good time. We also have a lot of volunteers, specifically, this year we have the Junior *** students. Those are students that belong to the National Association of the Deaf and are role models for the newly identified families and to let families know that their children will grow up just fine and be productive parts of our society. I like seeing the little kids because before, I had that experience. I like to make it better if I can. I see them smile and it makes me happy inside. It’s also an opportunity for families of children, who are newly identified, to meet older families, that are a little bit further along down the diagnosis, and just to learn and have hope for their children’s futures. Sometimes the most powerful things come from families meeting with families. We’re here to make those connections.