Our family's journey raising a deaf child bilingually

We're so glad you're here

In October 2019, our son Cooper was diagnosed with full sensorineural hearing loss in both ears as a result of Waardenburg Syndrome. After an array of emotions and lots of processing, we decided to share Cooper's journey in hopes of educating others about hearing loss and offering hope to those in the same situation.

We know it's scary to walk this road, especially at the beginning. As new parents, we found comfort in other's sharing their stories of hearing loss and children. Because of that, we wanted to do that for someone else who is on this same path. We're here to share the good, the bad, the difficult, the rewarding — all of it.

Our Story

Amazon Bestselling Author of The ABCs of Inclusion

a picture book about disabilities

The ABCs of Inclusion is a picture book about disabilities. Meet 26 real kiddos with diagnoses like autism, hearing loss, epilepsy, and Down syndrome. It teaches young readers that it’s okay to be different—in fact, it’s what makes us special!

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The ABCs of Inclusion is a picture book about disabilities. Meet 26 real kiddos with diagnoses like autism, hearing loss, epilepsy, and Down syndrome. It teaches young readers that it’s okay to be different—in fact, it’s what makes us special!

 “The ABCs of Inclusion” named Gold in Mom’s Choice Awards

Yay! I am honored to announce that The ABCs of Inclusion has earned the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award®. After been rigorously evaluated by a panel of MCA evaluators, The ABCs...
A person signing a copy of a children's book about disabilities titled "abcs" at a book signing event with an audience in the background.

Accessible Version of “The ABCs of Inclusion” Awarded CIPA Gold Award

I'm proud to announce that the CIPA (Colorado Independent Publishers Association) awarded the accessible audiobook version of "The ABCs of Inclusion" the Gold 1st Place Book Award. Huge thank you...
A woman engrossed in reading a colorful children's book about disabilities titled "The ABCs of Inclusion" while seated comfortably indoors.

How To Publish A Children’s Book

Writing this post has been on my to-do list for quite some time…and as I am getting more and more messages pertaining to it, I figured it’s time.  This post...
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Brandon, Beth and Cooper in a grassy field. Cooper is on Brandon's shoulders. Beth is an inclusion advocate with a focus on raising a deaf child.
Brandon, Beth and Cooper kneel in grass in front of a colorful fall tree. Beth is an inclusion advocate with a focus on raising a deaf child.
Brandon, Beth and Cooper sit in the grass smiling at the camera. Beth is an inclusion advocate with a focus on raising a deaf child.
Brandon, Beth and Cooper walk in the grass with Cooper swinging between. Beth is an inclusion advocate with a focus on raising a deaf child.
A joyful moment captured in the warm glow of sunset—mother and child, raising a deaf child, sharing a tender embrace amidst a rustic autumnal landscape that celebrates inclusion.
A happy moment as a young family cherishes inclusion, with the parents playfully swinging their deaf child by the arms amidst a backdrop of golden fall foliage, reminiscent of a scene from a children's book
A joyful moment in a grassy field as a couple plays with their little one, raising a deaf child with love and inclusion, holding the child upside down, with laughter in the air.
A joyful moment in the outdoors: two smiling adults lying on a blanket with a happy, young child in a green shirt sitting between them, sharing a children's book about disabilities, against a backdrop of

"Parenthood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you'd have. It's about understanding your child is exactly the person they are supposed to be. And, if you're lucky, they might be the teacher who turns you into the person you're supposed to be."

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Today’s workout interruptions brought to you by @taylorswift genius lyrics.

0/10 recommend listening to it for the first time while at the gym.

#taylorswift #thetorturedpoetsdepartment

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Today’s workout interruptions brought to you by @taylorswift genius lyrics. 0/10 recommend listening to it for the first time while at the gym. #taylorswift #thetorturedpoetsdepartment

Shoutout to @pbskids for adding ASL interpretation to numerous shows! 👏🏻 #asl #signlanguage #pbskids

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Shoutout to @pbskids for adding ASL interpretation to numerous shows! 👏🏻 #asl #signlanguage #pbskids

Earlier this year, my mom and I took my son on a trip to San Diego, during which he didn’t wear his cochlear implants every day. It opened my mom’s eyes to the necessity of using sign language, and she decided she wanted to learn more than the basics.

So we got her set up with @lingvano!

The Lingvano app makes learning sign language less intimidating and more fun. Lessons require 5-10 minutes per day and they’re all taught by Deaf instructors.

And one of the best parts? Lingvano is free to start! If you want to give it a try, check out the link in my bio.

#lingvano

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Earlier this year, my mom and I took my son on a trip to San Diego, during which he didn’t wear his cochlear implants every day. It opened my mom’s eyes to the necessity of using sign language, and she decided she wanted to learn more than the basics. So we got her set up with @lingvano! The Lingvano app makes learning sign language less intimidating and more fun. Lessons require 5-10 minutes per day and they’re all taught by Deaf instructors. And one of the best parts? Lingvano is free to start! If you want to give it a try, check out the link in my bio. #lingvano

I will die on this hill. It’s OKAY to leave your kiddos at home when you travel. In fact it’s more than okay. It’s beneficial and refreshing.

(I want to recognize that I know not everyone is able to leave their child in the care of anyone else. This is more for the parents who feel guilty leaving, or feel like they “shouldn’t” experience parts of life without their children.)

#travel #parenting #momlife #motherhood #vacation

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I will die on this hill. It’s OKAY to leave your kiddos at home when you travel. In fact it’s more than okay. It’s beneficial and refreshing. (I want to recognize that I know not everyone is able to leave their child in the care of anyone else. This is more for the parents who feel guilty leaving, or feel like they “shouldn’t” experience parts of life without their children.) #travel #parenting #momlife #motherhood #vacation

Our fourth time here…and somehow we enjoy ourselves more every time we visit @breathlesscancunsoul . The employees go above and beyond and remember us each visit, the spa is incredible, the rooms are gorgeous, the pools are amazing, and the vibe is 👌🏻.

But truly, the people who work to make this resort what it is deserve all the credit. Until next time, friends. ❤️

(And no part of this is sponsored. Just feel the need to clarify that)

#mexico #cancun #breathlessoulcancun

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Our fourth time here…and somehow we enjoy ourselves more every time we visit @breathlesscancunsoul . The employees go above and beyond and remember us each visit, the spa is incredible, the rooms are gorgeous, the pools are amazing, and the vibe is 👌🏻. But truly, the people who work to make this resort what it is deserve all the credit. Until next time, friends. ❤️ (And no part of this is sponsored. Just feel the need to clarify that) #mexico #cancun #breathlessoulcancun

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