Imagine you’re the parent of a young child, in that magical age where their belief in Santa Claus and the holidays are a wonder. Now imagine that all the Santas in every mall, park, and winter wonderland speak a language your child cannot understand. Your child eagerly climbs up on St. Nick’s knee and starts explaining how good they’ve been, and what they want under the Christmas tree, and Santa…looks confused or scared or just shrugs and pats your child on the head. The omnipotent magic of the world’s jolliest elf is diminished, and your child walks away dejected.
Not exactly the kind of Christmas you’d want for your youngster, but it’s exactly what hundreds of Deaf/hard-of-hearing and non-verbal children in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington experience every year when they greet Santa in American Sign Language. However, thanks to The Oregon Association of the Deaf and the Vancouver Association of the Deaf, there is a now a Deaf Kids’ Christmas Party every year. It’s open to Deaf/HoH kids, children with cochlear implants and kids with Deaf parents (and non-verbal, signing hearing kids by individual decision). It’s held in inner NE Portland, and staffed by volunteers.
Needless to say, it’s a fantastic experience for children who otherwise feel swept to the sidelines, and the joy in the room is evident. Kids hop from craft table to face-painting, to miniature basketball, hands a-flying as they interact with their peers and Deaf adults (as well as many hearing, signing volunteers). Children communicate freely, can ask Santa any question their hearts desire, and walk away with a small gift.
This year’s party was on December 4th, and was an astounding experience, as always. If you have a Deaf/HoH child, or are Deaf yourself and would like to take your kiddo to a party where they can interact with other CODAs, be sure to mark your calendar for next year. If you’re an ASL student, interpreter, Deaf adult or grown-up CODA and you’d like to help out, it is definitely one of the sweeter Christmas gifts you can give the community.
Carissa Martos is the mother of, and advocate for, two children with special needs, including one who communicates mostly through American Sign Language. An interpreting student at PCC, she works for the Signing Time Foundation through PDX Loves Signing, LLC and creates award-winning art and bicycles in her “free” time.
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