I am not the job I do, I am not the home I have, nor am I the car I drive. I am still not confident about all the choices I made for my (deaf) son; I was not comfortable with deafness, or my attempts at sign communication. I am not a self-proclaimed expert on anything, I am not sad or ashamed from questioning choices and ideas, nor am I who outsiders say I am. I am not scathed for upholding my family’s rights to equal access nor am I one to back down or give in when my child's academic, social, and emotional future is at stake. However, I am much stronger for having survived and choosing to continue than I am weaker from being forced to survive from the outside in; not unlike many parents!
I had never known a deaf person until I met my son. So, I had never experienced such a deeply profound calling until after I met his obstacles. I have succeeded in becoming an active parent with the learning of my many capacities that I never even knew existed. I have not arrived at the final destination of my journey nor do I see the flash of lanterns for a runaway train, therefore, by the grace of god I go!
My, currently in process, book is the accumulation of my persistent searching, questioning, arguing, learning, and reflecting as a single mother on how to provide my child a family life; rich with traditions, a well-rounded education; full of curiosity and vigor, and a spring board to launch him into a life he would be proud of living.
I am Jeanine E. Roybal.