Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle was sunny, warm and filled with excited children and their families for the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing’s Aroostook Family Fun Day last month. The MECDHH’s Public School Outreach Program put on the day of activities that include face-painting, games and a picnic lunch.
The Falmouth-based MECDHH provides educational and support services for deaf or hard or hearing children from birth to age 21. Its classroom programs include parent, infant, and toddler, preschool and elementary school as well as high school classes through Portland High School. The Public School Outreach program serves children who are deaf or hard of hearing within their local school districts. Consultants visit public schools to make sure every child has their access needs taken care of, whether they rely on sign language, hearing aids or cochlear implants for communication.
Angela Bruno, director of public school outreach and community services, believes that events such as Family Fun Day are important for deaf or hard of hearing children and their families. She said that some children who don’t attend MECDHH are often the only deaf or hard of hearing child in their classroom.
“It’s hard to figure out and know why you’re different from other people because they don’t wear hearing aids or use sign language. But when you get the opportunity to meet other families and other kids that are like you, then you can feel better about yourself,” Bruno said.
Patty Cook, regional program coordinator of public outreach, noted that events such as Family Fun Day aren’t just great for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Parents also get a chance to meet each other or catch up with friends they’ve made through the program.
“It allows families to just relax and not have to explain anything. They can just know that everyone here understands what it’s like to have a child who has a hearing loss,” Cook said. “And they get a chance to share their experiences and maybe help other families who are new to the program.”
Cathy Glover, MECDHH’s Early Childhood and Family Services consultant, said that Family Fun Day is a great way for families of deaf or hard of hearing children in Aroostook County.
“It gives them the opportunity to talk to other families and learn about things that they normally don’t have the chance to learn about because they live so far away,” Glover said.
Many parents and family members who attended Family Fun Day are glad for the benefits that the Public School Outreach Program provides for them and their children. Hilary Burube of Caribou was at the event with her nephews Logan Smith and Harley Brown. Brown is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids. Burube was glad to see her nephew having a good time.
“It’s helped him meet other kids who are like him and feel accepted,” Burube said.
Dawn Thompson of Presque Isle was another parent at Family Fun Day whose 3 1/2-year-old daughter, Emma, has cochlear implants in both ears. Thompson said that MECDHH’s Public School Outreach Program has been a great help to her daughter.
“It helped with Emma’s cochlear implant and speech therapy,” Thompson said.
Lynn Jandreau-Potter of Caribou was at Family Fun Day with her 12-year-old son Carson who is hard of hearing. She said that she would recommend Family Fun Day to other parents and families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
“We get to make new friends and meet new people and they invite us to these fun outings,” Jandreau-Potter said. “It’s just a good day to get together with other families.”
Officials from MECDHH and its Public School Outreach Program hope that the families who attend Family Fun Day build lifelong friendships and support systems with each other.
“I hope the kids leave feeling that they’re part of a community,” Bruno said. “The Deaf community in Maine is one that is very important to the members of that community.”
That community, Bruno said, is one that deaf or hard of hearing children can choose to join as adults thanks to the friendships built at Family Fun Day.
