View Full Version : C.O.D.A.
(This thread is pretty much about me/my family/the origin of my username, so if you don't care, you might as well leave now.)
A while ago, I was asked by an FC member (I have no idea who it was. I forget.) what Coda means. I decided to clear things up on the forums. Coda is a term in music, but this is not the case. CODA means Child Of Deaf Adult. My father is both deaf, and blind. CODA is a term that is often only found within groups of other CODAs, which is why my gamertag is imacoda (I'm a CODA). It is supposed to be a message to find other CODAs. Sadly, I have never found one that way, but it is no surprise, due to the small amount of people with deaf parents. I have used "imacoda" in almost everything. Online, I always go by the name "Coda" which is why I chose that to be my username on FC.
Both my father, and my uncle (his brother) is deafblind. No, I do not have any visual, or hearing impairment, however my future children might. Despite what many people think, deafblind people like my uncle and father are extremely capable. They are both gold medalists in the Para Olympics. My father and uncle both use ASL (American Sign Language) to communicate. However, they can speak other types of sign language as well. Yes, I know sign language too.
Below, there is a link to a youtube video, showing Keith Wann (he's a CODA) singing a song in ASL. I think you guys will enjoy the video. I encourage watching it.
CLICK HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2AIHlDTzxM)
EDIT: June is Deafblind Awareness Month!
UNLUCKY NUM13ER
05-13-2012, 12:13 AM
I actually didn't know that about you Coda, very interesting read. I'm happy to hear your father & uncle can live such promising lives.
I actually didn't know that about you Coda, very interesting read. I'm happy to hear your father & uncle can live such promising lives.
Thank you, they have lived very well their entire lives. However, they both weren't born blind. They have always been deaf though. They became blind over time. My dad still isn't COMPLETELY blind, but it is very, very close.
RENGADE 0F FUNK
05-13-2012, 02:16 AM
I'm just curious, how does a deaf and blind person learn sign language? Like how do they know you're talking to them if they can't see the signs?
bazongaman502
05-13-2012, 02:19 AM
I'm just curious, how does a deaf and blind person learn sign language? Like how do they know you're talking to them if they can't see the signs?
I would really like to hear this answered
still a good read, and very nice to see the other side of people :)
RaZ Vader
05-13-2012, 02:38 AM
2286
Ichyban
05-13-2012, 03:25 AM
If you read his post over again it says that his dad is blind a deff but he can still see a very small portion out of his eyes. just enough to comunicate in sighn. And how do i know that he has a very tiny spot he can still see in?because Coda is a friend of mine and ive heard the story in ful length. right coda!!!???
Deafblind people use what is known as "tactile signing" or hand-to-hand sign. This is when my father's hand would be on top of mine as I sign, so he can feel the signs. My uncle does that too. If someone is born deafblind, it becomes much harder to teach them sign language, and they often end up pointing at symbols and pictures as a way of communicating
Ichyban
05-14-2012, 07:15 PM
hey. what if youve got both parents are deaf. whould the classification be changed from C.O.D.A too C.O.D.P ?
RENGADE 0F FUNK
05-14-2012, 07:32 PM
If you read his post over again it says that his dad is blind a deff but he can still see a very small portion out of his eyes. just enough to comunicate in sighn. And how do i know that he has a very tiny spot he can still see in?because Coda is a friend of mine and ive heard the story in ful length. right coda!!!???
But he can see just a small bit then? So its like heavy cataracts?
Ichyban
05-14-2012, 07:37 PM
But he can see just a small bit then? So its like heavy cataracts?
i think that might be a safe asumption. that or part of the retna has stope funkstioning
@Ichyban: You're still just called a CODA
@RENEGADE 0F FUNK: He has cataracts, yes. However, he has many things causing blindness. They all play a factor in the blindness. For example, my dad's pupil is now spread past the iris (coloured part of the eye), and into the sclera (white part). He also had his retina detached due to a surgery that didn't go well.
Fuzzy
05-14-2012, 08:40 PM
I would have never guessed this by looking at your name, it is really intriguing to hear your story. I understand that this must add a bunch of challenges and obstacles in your life but I am glad to see that you wear this classification with pride and you are not afraid to tell people about this.
How difficult would you say sign language is compared to the English language, who knows I may give it a shot one day!
I would have never guessed this by looking at your name, it is really intriguing to hear your story. I understand that this must add a bunch of challenges and obstacles in your life but I am glad to see that you wear this classification with pride and you are not afraid to tell people about this.
How difficult would you say sign language is compared to the English language, who knows I may give it a shot one day!
I've lived with this my entire life, and I see no problems with it. Yes, it can be difficult not speaking to people, but using sign language can be even easier sometimes. Personally, I think the English language makes no sense sometimes. I find sign language much easier. While thinking about something, some people will speak it aloud. But, I will often sign it instead. Sign language is a great tool. No more yelling across the house -- just sign! I really hope you do learn sign language, for I believe everyone should at least know some, even if it is small. Flipping someone off is technically sign language, but that's not what I mean. Everyone should be able to AT LEAST know how to communicate with a deaf/deafblind person.
Ichyban
05-14-2012, 08:52 PM
And thats why i still gotta get you to teach me. cant find any books on sighning
And thats why i still gotta get you to teach me. cant find any books on sighning
DO NOT learn by book. It is very hard trying to sign based off of pictures. Take a course in college for it. There is no signlanguage course in our school, however, I know of another high school that does. So, it is possible.
This a really interesting read .
This a really interesting read .
I'm glad you think so.
RENGADE 0F FUNK
05-19-2012, 04:12 AM
I'm glad you think so.
Just remembered I saw this on CNN not too long ago. Think you might like it.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/health/stem-cell-research-breakthrough/index.html
Just remembered I saw this on CNN not too long ago. Think you might like it.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/health/stem-cell-research-breakthrough/index.html
Wow. I'm really glad those two women were able to get help with their blindness. That is a very large medical milestone. However, I don't think this could help my dad in any way. He has too many things causing blindness. For example, you know how the pupil is actually a hole in your eye, and what you're seeing is really inside the eye? Well, my dad's retina is stretched into the sclera. He also has his retina detached. I don't think they could help with that kind of thing. However, I'm glad to see that many other people can get help.
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