Kids of Deaf Adults: Metro DC
Are you a deaf parent raising hearing children and live in Maryland, or VIrginia or DC? Maybe you want something to offer, volunteer or even better be part of our Metro Maryland Kids of Deaf Adults (MM KODA)?
Let me talk about our organization, Metro Maryland Kids of Deaf Adults known as MMKODA which was established in 2000 that may interest you. Before that, there was a young koda group that lasted for a couple of years and then dismantled. With the new MM KODA as it is known today, we set out to develop MM KODA as we all had hearing children ourselves. The primary purpose for MM KODA was to enable koda children to experience the joys of being a koda child and to meet other children as well. Over the years, we have arranged for several family-fun activities and parent workshops. Our best activities were the holiday party and the Mother Father Deaf Picnic (where deaf parents are being honored, this came from CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) that we held every year and still do.
I could tell you the benefits of joining MM KODA! Many of these children develop instant friendships, deaf parents get together and talk about issues and it is a rewarding thing. Often times, many parents are feeling isolated and left out from their children’s schools especially when it comes to PTA activity or whatever and when a KODA event is set up, it is gratifying for deaf parents and children to attend as well because there is no communication barrier and of course, what is more, it is fun to see your friends there.Â
We have been very grateful and appreciative of several sponsors who have come out and helped with the financial aspects of planning these two parties every year. Now we are turning to other people and deaf parents to see if they can come and help volunteer with MM KODA.
Unfortunately, I have to share something with you, the common thread we keep hearing is that most deaf parents tell us that they do not have time to help us out or they are too busy so we are often short-handed when it comes in selecting new committee members. We really need people to come out and help run our organization. Without the help, it is possible that MM KODA may have to dismantle just like the first KODA group did which would be a repeat of the first one and we do not want to see this happen. I am not sure why.Â
It only takes a few hours of your time and MM KODA organization has potential for growth, change and flexibility in order to adapt to a degree that is easy for parents to run this organization. We want this organization to stay “family-friendly” and will make adaptions to make it easier on deaf parents with families. We also have lots of fun when we meet and there are lots of opportunities to make your ideas come alive and have fun with your family as well as meet other koda families. What more can you ask for? Believe me, it is more fun to be part of MM KODA where you can communicate freely without having to depend on interpreters or miss out a lot of social interactions.
Our dream is where we could get all KODA groups that have formed all over the United States and overseas to come together for a national conference. This would be great to meet a lot of deaf parents and children as well. There would be lots of workshops provided for parents to choose from and children would have a camp to attend while they are in the conference. I am sure we have lots of deaf parents who have wonderful ideas that could be brought to MM KODA and we would love to hear from you.
I would like to hear your feedback on this and see where the answers lie. Once someone comes out and be a part of the committee, it looks good on their resume. Believe me, it helped me to get a job because on my resume, I listed my volunteer experience and I am tremedously glad that I was able to be part of MM KODA and help out as much as I could.
Volunteerism is a positive outlet and you get to learn a lot of new things as well as meeting new people and develop friendships. I would love to see some of you out there to contact Lori Leal-Johnson at kodaofmd@aol.com to get more information and be able to come to our meeting this coming Saturday to learn more about our organization. Our website is www.mmkoda.org.
Commentary: I think this is a terrific organization for kids of deaf parents to gather. Parents can trade information on how to handle deaf and heairng issues with their kids while the kids can share a common bond of having deaf parents. The events shown on the website look fun! I wonder why more deaf parents aren’t taking advantage of this organization. Michelle, how many KODA groups exist in this country?
Are you a deaf parent raising hearing children and live in Maryland, or VIrginia or DC? Maybe you want something to offer, volunteer or even better be part of our Metro Maryland Kids of Deaf Adults (MM KODA)?
Let me talk about our organization, Metro Maryland Kids of Deaf Adults known as MMKODA which was established in 2000 that may interest you. Before that, there was a young koda group that lasted for a couple of years and then dismantled. With the new MM KODA as it is known today, we set out to develop MM KODA as we all had hearing children ourselves. The primary purpose for MM KODA was to enable koda children to experience the joys of being a koda child and to meet other children as well. Over the years, we have arranged for several family-fun activities and parent workshops. Our best activities were the holiday party and the Mother Father Deaf Picnic (where deaf parents are being honored, this came from CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) that we held every year and still do.
I could tell you the benefits of joining MM KODA! Many of these children develop instant friendships, deaf parents get together and talk about issues and it is a rewarding thing. Often times, many parents are feeling isolated and left out from their children’s schools especially when it comes to PTA activity or whatever and when a KODA event is set up, it is gratifying for deaf parents and children to attend as well because there is no communication barrier and of course, what is more, it is fun to see your friends there.Â
We have been very grateful and appreciative of several sponsors who have come out and helped with the financial aspects of planning these two parties every year. Now we are turning to other people and deaf parents to see if they can come and help volunteer with MM KODA.
Unfortunately, I have to share something with you, the common thread we keep hearing is that most deaf parents tell us that they do not have time to help us out or they are too busy so we are often short-handed when it comes in selecting new committee members. We really need people to come out and help run our organization. Without the help, it is possible that MM KODA may have to dismantle just like the first KODA group did which would be a repeat of the first one and we do not want to see this happen. I am not sure why.Â
It only takes a few hours of your time and MM KODA organization has potential for growth, change and flexibility in order to adapt to a degree that is easy for parents to run this organization. We want this organization to stay “family-friendly” and will make adaptions to make it easier on deaf parents with families. We also have lots of fun when we meet and there are lots of opportunities to make your ideas come alive and have fun with your family as well as meet other koda families. What more can you ask for? Believe me, it is more fun to be part of MM KODA where you can communicate freely without having to depend on interpreters or miss out a lot of social interactions.
Our dream is where we could get all KODA groups that have formed all over the United States and overseas to come together for a national conference. This would be great to meet a lot of deaf parents and children as well. There would be lots of workshops provided for parents to choose from and children would have a camp to attend while they are in the conference. I am sure we have lots of deaf parents who have wonderful ideas that could be brought to MM KODA and we would love to hear from you.
I would like to hear your feedback on this and see where the answers lie. Once someone comes out and be a part of the committee, it looks good on their resume. Believe me, it helped me to get a job because on my resume, I listed my volunteer experience and I am tremedously glad that I was able to be part of MM KODA and help out as much as I could.
Volunteerism is a positive outlet and you get to learn a lot of new things as well as meeting new people and develop friendships. I would love to see some of you out there to contact Lori Leal-Johnson at kodaofmd@aol.com to get more information and be able to come to our meeting this coming Saturday to learn more about our organization. Our website is www.mmkoda.org.
Commentary: I think this is a terrific organization for kids of deaf parents to gather. Parents can trade information on how to handle deaf and heairng issues with their kids while the kids can share a common bond of having deaf parents. The events shown on the website look fun! I wonder why more deaf parents aren’t taking advantage of this organization. Michelle, how many KODA groups exist in this country?
January 24th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
So far we probably have about 5 to 7 koda groups in the U.S. and a couple of them internationally. We would like to see someone set up a blog where deaf parents can chat and discuss about issues that are peritent in raising koda children and perhaps setting up a national organization. That would be a great idea!
January 24th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Michelle, setting up a blog is incredibly easy. Wordpress or even the one offered by DeafRead is free. In fact, I bet this type of blog will attract many readers, including me.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Hi,
I would love to assist you with the conference or a special event. Are you posting a blog for this organization? That way, I could check out occassionally about their events and conferences.If our schedules do fit, I can hand you my support and use my talents. Michelle, Good luck with setting up a blog.
Best wishes,
Ms. Katrina
February 1st, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Oops, my typo error… the last word “blog” should show “the” instead of “a” before it.
Again, Michelle you can do it. I think your idea is splendid and can attract more supporters like myself and others.
Best wishes, Katrina
February 1st, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Hi ms katrina, I stepped down from mmkoda this past month, however I am keeping close contact with the committee members, I will be more than happy to post an event in my blog and also encourage them to set up a mmkoda blog too. If you are interested, please feel free to contact lori leal johnson at kodaofmd@aol.com. Many thanks for your interest! I will be blogging occasionally about koda issues as well so please keep an eye out for my entries.