The Ear of My Heart

Just Call Me Deaf ~
The Ear of My Heart At a class reunion a few years ago, an old friend of mine admitted that she had been uncomfortable around me after I became Deaf because she didn't know if we could still communicate, and if we did, she was afraid that she might offend me by saying the wrong thing. I asked her what [...]
Culture Tue, Jul 01 2008 hide this blog

Fairlady interviews LaRonda Part 1 ~
The Ear of My Heart Closed Captioned Join Fairlady as she begins a series of interviews with LaRonda Zupp from Ear of My Heart.
Art and Storytelling Culture Thu, Jun 26 2008 hide this blog

A Complex Mixture of Deaf Identities ~
The Ear of My Heart Transcript below Join LaRonda as she reflects on how each person is greater and more complex in their personal identities and make-up than the sum of their subdivided (D/deaf/HH/Late-Deaf/CI user) parts.
Language Culture Sun, Jun 22 2008 hide this blog

Unity, How? Mutual Respect ~
The Ear of My Heart Unity doesn't mean trying to be the same. Unity means showing mutual “respect.” Live and let live.
Language Audism Culture Thu, Jun 19 2008 hide this blog

Assimilation vs. Defending a Way of Life ~
The Ear of My Heart At The Rim writes: The ‘non-Deaf' are inheriting the deaf world, and will change it probably to suit them. The old ways can't go on... ...deaf schools have been decimated, inclusion is here, and despite frantic and heated repulsion of these changes, they continue unabated... I cannot see deaf culture surviving against the odds, and again...
Language Audism Culture Sat, Jun 07 2008 hide this blog

Deafies, Careful Where You Point Your Pagers!
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: davynin If you're a pager or cellphone user, you have to see these videoclips! (Scroll down below) Cellphone Popcorn Popping using electromagnetic frequency transmissions! AMAZING! Deafies: Be careful where you point your pagers! You know, my favorite TV show is LOST. I love the mystery of the Island's natural geoelectromagnetic effects and it ha...
Tech Sat, Jun 07 2008 hide this blog

No Need To Hear ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda as she offers her opinion about the basic philosophical difference between culturally Deaf people and Cochlear Implant users.
Culture Wed, Jun 04 2008 hide this blog

Workout And Walk With Me ~
The Ear of My Heart This is how I nurture my body and soul. Join me for an afternoon workout and walk. ~ Subtitles
Wed, Jun 04 2008 hide this blog Moved from DeafRead Extra

Flirting: A Universal Language ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda as she describes how online flirtation is used as a universal language that allows d/Deaf/HH/Late-Deafened/Hearing people to cross the cultural divide, become quickly familiar, and successfully communicate. Photo by: The Alieness When we think of people who flirt, we usually think of people with the intent of entering an intimate contact relationship. Ho...
Language Tech Culture Sun, May 25 2008 hide this blog

Feeling Groovy?
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: gmonster25 “Hello lampost, whatcha knowin? I've come to watch your flowers growin. Ain'tcha got no rhyme for me? Dootin-doo-doo-doo Feelin' groovy” ~ Simon and Garfunkle ~ There is so much negativity in our lives today being pumped at us through media, marketing, d/Deaf/Hearing cultural conflicts, or communication breakdown. ...
Language Culture Fri, May 23 2008 hide this blog

Spreading Some Heartshine ~
The Ear of My Heart Just me, LaRonda, spreading a little heartshine.
Art and Storytelling Culture Sun, May 18 2008 hide this blog

LaRonda Dances With Wolves ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda as she compares her journey of Deafhood to that of the character, Lt. John Dunbar (played by Kevin Costner) in the film: Dances with Wolves. Dances with Wolves is one of my favorite films. I love it, not only for it's breathtaking cinematography, but also because Kevin Costner made the film as authentic as [...]
Media Art and Storytelling Culture Sun, May 11 2008 hide this blog

Handicapped This Morning, But Not This Afternoon ~
The Ear of My Heart “Handicap: The extent to which a person's overall functioning is limited by their disability.” Blah. Another medical description. No one likes the word “handicap” and very few use that word anymore. But in this vlog, I will explain how a Deaf or Hearing person can feel situationally handicapped.
Education Culture Mon, May 05 2008 hide this blog

Deafhood for Deaf Seniors ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda Zupp and the Bay Area Deaf Seniors as they gather in Fremont, CA to welcome Ella Mae Lentz as she helps them kick off their celebration of Older Americans Month with a presentation entitled: “Connecting Deaf Elders and Young People & Those in the Middle Through Deafhood.”
Culture Sun, May 04 2008 hide this blog

“We Need Each Other!” An Interview with Di Herron ~
The Ear of My Heart Join guest vlogger, Diana Herron, as she provides her perspective in response to Joey Baer's vlog: “Think Global, Act Local.”
Culture Sun, Apr 27 2008 hide this blog

A Beautiful Bouquet of Shared Leadership ~
The Ear of My Heart Join guest vlogger, Julie Rems-Smario, as she provides a lovely perspective in response to Joey Baer's vlog: “Think Global, Act Local.”
Language Wed, Apr 23 2008 hide this blog

Fremont Deaf Seniors: Walking the Labyrinth ~
The Ear of My Heart Labyrinth A short, 8 minute, subtitled documentary of a journey to a nearby Labyrinth with Fremont Deaf Seniors. Film and subtitles by LaRonda Zupp.
Culture Mon, Apr 21 2008 hide this blog

Not Boycotting DeafRead, Just Busy ~
The Ear of My Heart Just for clarification, dear ones, I'm still here. ~ I am not boycotting DeafRead. I am just busy. It's that simple. I started a new full-time job in late January and have been juggling work and family ever since. I'm also back in school for 8 weeks taking classes to advance my career. [...]
Media Higher Education Language Tech Culture Tue, Apr 15 2008 hide this blog

Deafhood Classes: A Catalyst for Change ~
The Ear of My Heart
Higher Education Language Audism Culture Sat, Mar 29 2008 hide this blog

Lost in the Light of Your Eyes ~
The Ear of My Heart About 7 years ago, I went with my husband to his 20 year class reunion. I was the only deaf person there among the throngs of hearies chatting away, sharing memories foreign to me, of times gone by. I stood quietly and patiently to the side of my husband most of the evening, smiling when [...]
Culture Tue, Mar 25 2008 hide this blog

Choosing Sensuality and Pleasure In Midlife ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: WTL Photos Midlife is not a crisis. It's a time of rebirth; a time to reawaken sensual life energy and to reclaim our right to pleasure and passion! I'm a Deaf Woman in Midlife, and I've decided to embrace it! One way I have been living a more sensual life is by joining Y! [...]
Sat, Mar 08 2008 hide this blog

DeafHope: Fundraising At It’s Glimmering Finest!
The Ear of My Heart The spirit of volunteering is alive and well within the Deaf Community! Join LaRonda Zupp as she captures successful fundraising dynamics and a variety of familiar faces in the Deaf Community as they gathered together in spirit to support a local bay area organization called DeafHope, a nonprofit organization established for and by Deaf women [...]
Language Culture Sat, Mar 01 2008 hide this blog

Glimmer of Hope: A Male Perspective ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda Zupp as she highlights the male point of view at a local fundraiser for DeafHope, a nonprofit organization established for and by Deaf women to end domestic and sexual violence against Deaf women and children through empowerment, education and services. (More highlights of this event will follow in the days ahead, so keep [...]
Culture Sun, Feb 24 2008 hide this blog

Flirtacious Friday Nights on Y! Live/DeafRead ~
The Ear of My Heart It was the end of a long and demanding week for me and I needed a good stress release. The challenge of settling into a new job and trying to get over the learning curve has been difficult. I want to be effective and efficient, and I'm eager to please. Yet, I know I need [...]
Sun, Feb 24 2008 hide this blog

Is Chat Room Addiction Real? You’d Better Believe It!
The Ear of My Heart I'm still fascinated by the psychological, social and emotional implications of internet use. With the recent introduction of Y! Live, deaf people are now spending an extraordinary amount of time in the online chatroom at Y! Live/Deafread. I know. I'm one of them. For the last 2 days, I've been a relational chatter — building [...]
Media Language Tech Culture Sat, Feb 16 2008 hide this blog

Dealing With Web Harassment ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda Zupp as she explores the negative aspects of blogging and vlogging and how to deal with web harassment. This is part 2 of a 3 part series of Understanding the Psychological, Social and Emotional Aspects of Blogging and Vlogging in the deaf v/blogoshpere. This information comes from LaRonda’s presentation at the recent DeafRead [...]
Language Tech Culture Tue, Feb 12 2008 hide this blog

About The Ear of My Heart: Voted Best Blog of 2007 ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda Zupp as she celebrates one year of v/blogging at DeafRead by taking you behind the scenes of: “The Ear of My Heart” — voted Best Overall Blog of the Year, 2007 at DeafRead. Why I chose this title for my blog: The title of my blog comes from the opening verse of St. Benedict's [...]
Language Art and Storytelling Tech Culture Mon, Feb 11 2008 hide this blog

Why We Blog and Vlog ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda Zupp in a 3 part series of Understanding the Psychological, Social and Emotional Aspects of Blogging and Vlogging in the Deaf v/blogoshpere. Part 1 of 3. This information comes from LaRonda's presentation at the recent DeafRead Conference, Feb. 2, 2008.
Education Tech Sun, Feb 10 2008 hide this blog

DeafRead: 2007 Best Blog of the Year! A Night To Remember ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda Zupp as she thanks readers and voters for nominating her blog, The Ear of My Heart, as the Best Overall Blog of the Year in 2007 on DeafRead. In the videoclip below, LaRonda shares some of the highlights and enthusiasm at the DeafRead Awards banquet. It was a night to remember!
Mon, Feb 04 2008 hide this blog

DeafRead Conference Soapbox Event ~
The Ear of My Heart Read on as LaRonda Zupp shares a summary of her perception of the DeafRead Conference Soapbox event. Written on February 2nd, 2008. Photo by: notsogoodphotography Hi. I'm here in my luxury suite at Embassy Suites in Burlingame catching a break before the awards banquet begins this evening. I wanted to provide you with a quick update [...]
Art and Storytelling Culture Sun, Feb 03 2008 hide this blog

From Tolerating to Valuing ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: lumaxart Recently, my husband and I joined my sister-in-law as she treated my son to a day at a Science and Tech Museum. There, an anatomical exhibition of the human body was on display along with educational and insightful information about wellness, disease, genetic disorders and the mysteries of the human brain. As my son [...]
Audism Culture Tue, Jan 22 2008 hide this blog

A CODA Angel In My Corner ~
The Ear of My Heart Introducing my CODA son as he gives his support to vote for my blog for the DeafRead v/blog awards. He's just toooo cute! I had to share. This was HIS idea and HIS script, but he did ask me to film him and put it on my v/blog. It never hurt to have an angel [...]
Culture Mon, Jan 21 2008 hide this blog

Embarrassing, but Funny Deaf Moments!
The Ear of My Heart
Art and Storytelling Culture Thu, Jan 10 2008 hide this blog

Can Deaf People Learn Forgiveness From Whales?
The Ear of My Heart I happened to discover a blog post at Evolving Times entitled: Can Gray Whales Teach Humans About Forgiveness? It was about how the relationship between gray whales and humans began to transform once the nearly extinct, hunted whales were given protection. The story goes like this: “In the 1800s these whales were referred to as Devil [...]
Art and Storytelling Culture Sun, Jan 06 2008 hide this blog

The 10 Great Traits of Deaf Leaders ~
The Ear of My Heart (This is a blog post you'll not want to miss! It's among the best I've written! ) What is it that makes Joey Baer, Amy Cohen Efron, Ella Mae Lentz, and Barb Digi's v/blogs, for example, among the top viewed and respected in the Deaf Community today? The number of visits to these v/blogs can [...]
Tue, Jan 01 2008 hide this blog

How to Encourage a Postive Community of Commenters ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: ~Aphrodite One of the things I hope to commit to in the new year ahead is responding more steadily to those readers who leave comments on my v/blog posts. I have been blessed to have a very positive group of people who frequently leave comments on my v/blog and a number of optimistic passers-by. [...]
Language Tech Culture Sun, Dec 30 2007 hide this blog

The Importance of Interdependence ~
The Ear of My Heart
Fri, Dec 28 2007 hide this blog

Desiderata: Things to be Desired ~
The Ear of My Heart We, as diverse deaf people, are all the sum of a larger body — the DEAF. We are the sum of all kinds of separate, yet inter-dependent parts. We are individuals and systems swimming in a wholly fluid, fluctuating and changing universe. We are illusively separate in our individual essence, yet we are ALL profoundly [...]
Art and Storytelling Mon, Dec 17 2007 hide this blog

A Letter to Mountain Mama ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: clb “I really do love the Holidays, but I am not feeling the Christmas spirit...,” ...writes Jenny, over at her journal blog called Mountain Mama. Jenny's blog happens to be one of my favorites on DeafRead, because her stories are the stuff that make up authentic living. Just as her title bar says, “What you [...]
Sat, Dec 15 2007 hide this blog Moved from DeafRead Extra

The Ear of My Heart Vlog/Blog Posts - A Year in Review -...
The Ear of My Heart Hi! While you're all thinking about the DeafRead Vlog/Blog Awards, I'm going to toss out my own shameless plug. If you would like to review any of my 2007 vlog posts or blog posts, they are all listed conveniently for you below. Just click on the link to have a look. Vlog posts are [...]
Art and Storytelling Wed, Dec 12 2007 hide this blog

Im Going to DeafRead V/Blog Awards! Are you? ~
The Ear of My Heart
Media Language Art and Storytelling Tech Culture Tue, Dec 11 2007 hide this blog

Confessions of an Ex-Hearie ~
The Ear of My Heart In this video, LaRonda shares Christmas memories, discusses her thoughts about Cochlear Implants and music, and makes a confession as a former hearing person. (6:13 mins.) Hosted by: Videoserver.us YouTubers: Go Here Transcript:
Culture Tue, Nov 27 2007 hide this blog

The Eye of My Heart ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: ReporterGimmi We deafies are often referred to as “people of the eye” because we seek and gain information in life mainly through a visual mode rather than an auditory one. Whether we have some residual hearing or not, most of us are primarily visual learners with eyes fine-tuned to detail — details such as [...]
Mon, Nov 19 2007 hide this blog

Deaf Joke - Lipstick in the Girls Dorm ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: Auntie P Join LaRonda as she shares a Deaf joke about Lipstick in the girls' dorm at a deaf school. (2:51 mins.) Hosted by: Videoserver.us YouTubers: Go Here Transcript:
Art and Storytelling Sun, Nov 04 2007 hide this blog

10/30/07: 8:04pm - Bay Area Earthquake!
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: jessicafm Hey Everyone! It's October 30th, 8:15pm here in Fremont, CA. Just a quick note to let you know that we just had a 5.6 earthquake centered in the San Jose area. My family and I all felt our house bobble up and down. Quite a jolt and it lasted a long time. My [...]
Tue, Oct 30 2007 hide this blog

My Love/Hate Relationship with Motorcycles ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: jbram Join LaRonda as she shares her love/hate relationship with Motorcycles. Includes memories of her dad's Harley Davidson chopper and her pet peeve as a Deaf driver around motorcycles. (5:08 mins.) Hosted by: Videoserver.us YouTubers: Go Here Transcript:
Fri, Oct 26 2007 hide this blog

We Gather at the Cyberspace Well ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: cfarivar This is a story about how the Peace Corp helped build a pipe in a village to bring in water. Ironically, while the water channeled in, communication and community gathering channeled out! Join LaRonda as she compares and contrasts this village story with the Deaf Community gathering at DeafRead. (4:23 mins.) Hosted by: Vide...
Language Art and Storytelling Tech Culture Sun, Oct 14 2007 hide this blog

The Myriad of Labels ~
The Ear of My Heart Join LaRonda in the videoclip below as she explores the intricacies of her experiences with “labels” as a “d/Deaf” person. (9:58 mins.) Hosted by: Videoserver.us Transcript:
Art and Storytelling Fri, Oct 12 2007 hide this blog

Alice in Cyberland ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: "75joanna's"Join LaRonda as she highlights scenes from the "Alice in Cyberland" Tea Party fundraiser put on by Deaf-Hope, shares photos from their recognition of International Sign Language Day, and recaps the antics from these well-known Deaf female vloggers/bloggers who gathered together with Julie Rems-Smario and friends after hours.
Mon, Oct 01 2007 hide this blog

Characteristics of a Well-Adjusted and Healthy Deaf Person ~
The Ear of My Heart Photo by: Deaf RED Bear Some of you may remember the original list of “Characteristics of a Well-Adjusted Deaf Person” written by Allen E. Sussman, Ph.D.: Positive self-concept and self-esteem Positive psychological acceptance of deaness Ability to effectively compensate for deafness Ability to cope with negative and devaluative attitudes Assert...
Language Audism Culture Fri, Sep 28 2007 hide this blog