Session Description

Heart Work, not just Hard Work - we often talk about the hard work of raising children but we don’t always talk about the “heart work” of raising children and showing and giving love and attachment and how to establish those firm foundations and attachments. When we follow the child’s lead that is heart work and those are the things that keep the baby stimulated and wanting to continue to communicate - that is what will want them to communicate with us. When left to their own devices, they will find other ways to communicate whether that is.

Session Objectives

Heart Work, not Hard Work - we often talk about the hard work of raising children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing but we neglect to focus on the “heart work” of raising children who are DHH. Join Lisa Jolly and Mary Reaves, Parent Education Specialists from Beginnings SC, to learn about how hearing loss impacts parents’ ability to do this heart work. Participants will learn:

●      The stages of grief or joy regarding learning your child has a hearing difference

●      Language delay/deprivation and its impact on attachment, attention, mental health, and more

●      The general process of hearing loss, screening, and diagnosis and where the gaps remain

Presenters 

Lisa Jolly believes in the power of parents. Following the diagnosis of her youngest child’s profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, she received Parent Education Services from Beginnings. She and her husband received unbiased, research based information about communication opportunities and met adults with hearing differences who used a variety of communication modes. With this support, they were able to process their emotions and move forward with a plan to provide access and give their son the gift of language. With support, her family moved from feeling like deer caught in the headlights to a mindset filled with endless possibilities.

Lisa received her Master of Education in Counseling and Development from Winthrop University. She founded Hitch-Up, a social and educational support group for families of children with hearing loss. Hitch-Up is still going strong over 20 years and has 4 chapters in NC, 1 in Rock Hill, SC and a Latina Support Group as well. She has served in many capacities over the years and is a former Executive Committee member of the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council, Coordinator for FRIENDS ASCEND a church based youth group including accessible activities for youth with special needs, PTA president and Secretary of LowCountry Special Needs Network. She is the current president of the South Carolina Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

She passionately educates about ability where many may see disability and firmly believes every person has a gift to use to better the world. Married to her college sweetheart, Steve, the Jolly’s and their 2 adult sons enjoy spending time with one another traveling, exploring and taking adventures as often as possible.

Mary Reaves is a Rehabilitation Counselor by training who worked in Deaf Mental Health for nearly 10 years before co-founding Beginnings SC - a statewide nonprofit that aims to help families who have deaf or hard of hearing children find belonging. Their programs include parent counseling, services for child care providers, advocacy and policy, training and technical assistance, and awareness and education to support the families and professionals who serve deaf and hard of hearing children. She received her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from UofSC School of Medicine in 2009 with a Certificate in Deaf Studies and through this program learned American Sign Language and found a home in advocating alongside deaf and hard of hearing adults and children. Mary received a Certificate in Special Education Advocacy from William Mary Law School in 2021 and has gone on to support families (including her own) as they navigate the educational needs of children with disabilities.

Mary has served on the board of directors for community organizations including Girls Rock Columbia and is currently a member of the Advisory Board the The Hive. Mary's goal is to help remove the barriers put into place when language access is not provided so that all deaf and hard of hearing children can reach their fullest potential. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Larry, and together they have 3 small humans. She loves making cool stuff, baking, reading, learning new things, and naps, on the rare occasion she can get one.