Why I Wrote the Book?
We started out as Reid's parents with many
years of parenting and very little real information about hearing
problems and children. By the time Reid was starting kindergarten, I
felt that I had learned so much, and suggested adopting another child
with hearing problems. This was voted down by all the family. During
Reid's early years, I wrote a column for VOICE for Hearing Impaired
Children which always had an appropriate cartoon. I felt we all needed
to laugh. I felt so isolated, and reached out to see if other parents
had similar problems by writing. Other parents would comment from
time to time, which meant my columns were being read.
Research was about DEAF Children
I wanted a book which had easy to read,
easily accessible information. It was meant to be "Everything you
always wanted to know about Hearing Problems but were afraid to
ask." I wrote the book in longhand, on the days Reid went to
school.
Daniel Ling
Daniel Ling sees the book "Not Deaf Enough" which is dedicated to
him for the first time in Utah with PAM, 1996
I showed the manuscript to Dr. Daniel Ling who said it must be typed on
a computer. My typewriter had died, and we did not have a computer, but
were saving to buy one. A new computer (about a 21.5) went to live in
the attic where I nearly froze while typing and typing and typing.
Eventually, I got to the end, and printed the whole thing. It was a big
book. I brought the manuscript, now called "Ear, Hear, Heart"
to Dr. Daniel Ling at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Ling found time and
read through and recommended the book be published by VOICE for
Hearing-Impaired Children. Judy Simser spent a summer on the dock with
the manuscript and recommended that VOICE publish the book. VOICE
declined. Dr. Ling suggested A.G.Bell Association for the Deaf.
Lucy Cuzon Du Rest Undertakes Editing of Ear Hear Heart
I was honored to have the same editor as
Daniel Ling. Lucy Cuzon Du Rest told me she always wanted to do a book for
the parents, and my book was the book, and probably the last book
she would edit. Lucy worked on the manuscript through many editings. The
peer review and criticism process is enough to drive any sane person up
the wall, especially in this field where there are so many conflicting
points of view. Lucy is such a charming and fascinating person that I was happy to hear
from her.
When I first wrote the book, before reading it my
sister ask me if there were footnotes because she did not like the
distraction of footnotes. I agree with her, and constructed the book
with in-text reference for single references. Ideas which could be found
in more than one source were considered to be in the public domain, and
were not footnoted. Lucy and I argued about the footnotes. She said,
"The audiologists will look at the book, and if they don't see
footnotes they won't read it." I said, "If the parents look at
the book and see footnotes, they won't read it." Our compromise was
to footnote the chapters on audiology,
Liz Quigley, PAM and Don McGee in Utah. I could crop
the picture, but looking at the scenery is good for you!
using Martin's Introduction
to Audiology. When Don McGee became the word by word editor, I
was able to prove to him that I had two references available for every
page in the book, in two Rubbermaid containers in the attic! Another
anonymous editor I called Mr.Picky who earned the name. Mr. Picky always
had something to say, and thought I was an overprotective
mother.
PAM, Ross and Lucy discuss the book while eating
soft-shelled crab, and the world's freshest salad.
Lucy Cuzon du Rest is an artist who does fascinating
collages. Lucy did not like my cartoons and asked for pictures
instead. She pulled the pictures for the cover, and the book from
my hundreds of pictures in our family photo albums and Reid's Experience
Book, plus some taken by friends for their better lenses. My daughter
Barbara took the picture of me on the back cover. All the pictures were in
color, taken to black and white to keep printing costs down. Lucy did a wonderful job with the
pictures. Even though there is a ton of terrific information,
the pictures welcome you warmly into our family with a child who uses
hearing aids. That is Lucy's magic.
The Best Part About Writing a Book is Writing your References for Permission
Some famous people wrote me back
themselves, Sheila Kitzinger and Frederick Martin and Danielle Steel
wrote nice notes of encouragement.
Our MPP Ted Arnott sent an official letter of congratulations
from the province.
The Writers of ER respond to my suggestion that
Pete should have a copy of my book to help him through the rough
times.
Like many or most of us, I watched ER to see the story of Reese
unfold. I felt it was close to the reality which we parents of
hard of hearing children face on a daily basis. I howled with
laughter when Reese put the hearing aids in the toilet. I
wrote to the writers of ER to suggest that Pete should have a copy
of my book to answer his questions about Reese.
Get my Book
