TOGETHER WITH PRIDE |LETTER FROM CURTIS'S PARENTS

Dear Parents,

Since our son, Curtis, is well into adulthood, we have visited the area of deafness many times. We are extremely proud of Curtis and all that he has accomplished through hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

We are happy to have the opportunity to share our experience with you, and to offer you some suggestions based on this experience. Read and keep abreast of new trends and research in all areas of deafness; talk to other parents; join a parent group; visit your child's classroom regularly; and by all means, talk to the teacher. You should become so familiar in the school that every staff member greets you by your first name. The more involved you are in the education process, the more your child will see that learning is exciting and fun, and your child will experience positive results. By the time your child gets to Shakespeare, it will be a piece of cake for you!

Remember, there isn't a teacher or institution that can teach a child everything within the school day. You, as parents, are the first and foremost educators of your children.

Education is very important, but raising the child to become a well-rounded, confident individual with a sense of humor and a strong sense of self is your number one priority. Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities and to get involved in the community to the maximum extent possible. His or her dreams and desires should be no different than those of other children.

Raising a child is a real challenge everyday, but it's a wonderful feeling to see the positive results, especially when that child has a disability.

Best wishes,
John and Sallie Pride