Hi friends!
Welcome to my ASL Vlog! ASL (American Sign Language) is the most beautiful language in the world!
Always Be Cool.................................................................
A Statement That Rings True!
A day when deaf people and their language are completely accepted -- no, more than that, truly welcomed -- as a part of the family of man, in which God created diversity not to oppress the minority who are different, but to enrich the lives of all.
-- Laurent Clerc
ASL Power!
Long Live ASL!
About Me
- John Lestina ---
- beautiful wife, Jill (married for 25 yrs); 2 lovely sons, Johnnie (24 yrs old) and Jason (22 yrs old)
My wife and bike
2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad
...................................................http://johnlestina.blogspot.com..................................................
50 comments:
It is an inspiring story. That is simliar to my parents. They still drive to see my family and me in Texas from Ohio annually and yes, my parents are always there for and always will. They are very blessed and so are your parents.
Joe
Awww... that is moving. Same goes for my parents (my father... my mom died more than a decade ago); they were and are still VERY involved in my life, wanting to spend time with me and my kids, etc. My family does not know sign language, but they COMMUNICATE, no matter what. I just wish that my husband's parents were like that... they are a bit standoffish, acting embarrassed by deafness. Oh well. Like you, I feel blessed that I have a loving family and I just hope that my children would always look up to me and my husband, proud to spend time with us, etc., like we are with them. :-)
Indeed, it is a touching story. Glad you had a wonderful parents.
I have a wonderful mother who NEVER demanded that I learn anything I can NOT learn. That helped me a lot because today I read a lot and is involved in my classes and can foresee myself interacting well with other hearing people because of my mother's part when I grew up.
YOu made me Cry John!!! it's a Beautiful Story, wishing all other parents was like that but I know my mom as well my family was with me all the way growing up till this day .
Bless your parent's heart!!!
S. (Ontario, Canada)
You are a very lucky person, not many hearing parents are like that.
My great grandparents and my great grandma's two brother and sister, my grandparents and my grandpa's brother, and my mother all went to ILL Deaf school. : )
Wow, what a moving story! You reminded me of my parents a lot:) My parents always visited me on every weekend to watch me playing basketball at St. Joseph's Institute for the Deaf. They drove 4 hrs one-way from Indianapolis to St. Louis, Mo. and another 4 hrs back home! Just like your parents. Wow...glad you share this story with us! you really got my eyes watering and bring back my old memories. Thanks!
Damn you.. I was crying... LOL I remembered my times as well... Sniff! Sniff!! LOL
A Great Story! My mom and dad having hard time through divorce when i was young girl. (Dang), I wish my parents be like your parents doing that.
I have never met you but I have a hunch that you are truly an amazing man. I always enjoy watching your vlog. You are lucky to have a wonderful parents. I know many hearing parents are not like yours.
Virginian
Having amazing parents or single parents will make you be an AMazing person for many more years to come.
Wow what a wonderful story! I have hearing parents who do not know ASL, just like your parents. But they were so involved in my life like served as a board member, donate $ for Christmas tree, watched me played some sports, wrote me letter weekly and drove me to home whenever I wanted. We often visited my favorite relatives on the way home. They even asked me if I want to try mainstream school which I did not attend.
Now, I wonder which is better to have parents who do not give love but know ASL or parents who give a lot of love and do not know ASL. Parents who share love with children!!!!!!!!
jrb
Wow ... really touch me lot. Wish many parents do that !!!
Thanks for sharing that story! I know you but never knew the full story. Awesome.
Your parents are one of a kind! Not many hearing parents do that. I do remember vividly how your parents almost always showed up at every one of your games! They lived the motto of who knows what tomorrow will bring?, live to the fullest every day. Bless them and their good heart.
John,
What can I say? Quite a remarkable parents! Cherish those memories of your parents! Blessed their heart!
Thank you for sharing a sweet story. My parents were like that. They said that their hearts nearly broke when they left me with the residental deaf school. They said years later that they grieved when I said that the school was my home which I still do not remember.
Awesome vlog!
Yes, my parents are like yours, they're very much involved in my life, they learned a little but that doesn't stop them from meeting my friends. Years later, they would joke me about their house being "hotel" with "vacany" sign! LOL...
Please post picture of your parents that way we can recognize them and honor their dedication to you.
Thanks for sharing.
Thumbs up. Blessed with parents of kind hearts.
a picture of my parent: CLICK HERE
Yes, John, I do still remember meeting your parents!
I have deaf parent, too ! but my parent never visit me at once !
You touch my heart, but I cant compare to your parent and my parent so what can I do is move on and I want do good to my 4 kids and future
I want to be there for my kids
let God's take care of it and your parent's wonder by God's Will
smile
***Sniffling, sniffling*** ----your moving story about your parents parallels the dedication and devotion of my own parents!! We are fortunate to have such involved parents in spite of communication-- my mom signs while my dad signs a bit BUT they were and are much involved in my life, even I am married with a child! Your story provoked me to start vlogging about my own parents...be on a lookout for that! Title: A Tribute to the Hearing Parents of Deaf Persons....you are so blessed and so are the others!
-Ginny
Yes our hearing parents deserve recognition and support. Im glad you are bringing up this issue.
One commentor mentioned that he kicked his hearing mom out because she spoke to his baby (her grandson), ouch, i felt bad for the mother. Imagine if my child kicked me out of the house.
I would never do this to my parents, they talk to my hearing children, its hard at times, but my hearing children do tell me or my mom tells me what they talk about. Its like vice versa if i was to have deaf children, they may be more limited in communicating with them as they are not fluent in sign language.
So all of our parents have been through alot of struggles, grief, and pain but they probably feel pride and joy knowing that we are doing well and successful. So it means that they did a great job themselves even though society has treated them with misinformed choices and not supporting them fully. Thanks John!! Now i feel proud of my hearing parents!
great share of ur story! i wish ur father watch ur story. does ur father know abt ur vlog?
Wow, what a story! This reminds me alot about my Dad (he is hearing and doesnt sign). He always came to watch every game I played in (soccer, basketball and baseball). And when i was young, my dad invited almost every friend from school to my birthday over the summer (July), he drove hundreds of miles to pick up kids and bring them to my party and they spent overnight with us. Then he dropped them off.. This was (still is) the most memorable event that happen in my life. Yes i agree with you, it always inspires me when someone asked how my dad was. I love my dad! smiles
Response to Kira: CLICK HERE
No Wonder, I was on Prep Assistant duty at Benson Hall - Gally Campus that happened false fire alarm, everyone need to get out of building, Oh your parents wore PJ with your guidance, your brave parents got used many false alarms in your college years. You may know me well from Illinois, Smile
Your story remain of my dad. I went to St.John School for the deaf in Wisconsin. Dad always drove both ways. No matter what kind of weather it was. When i played little league, he always walked about two miles just to see my team practice and games too. I was fortunately to him as my dad. I miss him alot.
John,
Nice story. I do understand that there are parents out there that means well, and that they try their best.
Some Deaf people need to analyze their situation and figure out this: Are they treating me this way out of Sympathy? Or are they treating me this way because I am their child and they love me?
Unfortunately, many parents do it out of guilt. I know my mother did. I can't determine why your parents treated you that way. Only you can determine that.
Personally, I don't allow any family members that don't sign in my house. That's just how it is. I've kicked my parents out for speaking (with their mouth) to our Deaf baby son. We just won't tolerate that. (They both know sign language, and my father signs in old ASL)
I feel that if a parent truly loves their child, they would take the time to learn ASL, their child's language. If they didn't take the time to learn, they are putting all the responsibility of communication on the child's part and I resent that.
Anyhow, it was a very nice story. Hope to meet you someday. Your wife was the one that married my wife and I. (First couple in N.Y.)
Best wishes,
Erick Ketcham :o)
one of the commenters said that your wife married a couple... is she a minister or judge of peace or something???
Hi ABC!
You got the greatest gift from your parents is love.
That is very much same with my parents who are hearing. My father passed away and my mother still lives in Belleville. They have always put children above themselves. I have Deaf sister and three hearing siblings. They accept who we are and encourage us to do what we want and need.
They said they wished they could learn sign language much earlier but that time in 1950's and 1960's, there was almost no such a thing with sign language at that time. I don't blame them but most important of all is that they accept who I am and make me feel good all the time not forcing me to learn speaking. They accepted my sign language in my early age.
They are pro ASL supporters even though they sign a bit and fingerspell a bit more.
Deafchip
Response to mn: My wife is Rev. Jill Lestina and her 2 websites are www.acimtv.com and www.acimtv.blogspot.com
Hi John
It was so great vlog you have shared with us about your warm parents. :-)
I am wondering if I can ask you a pesronal question. If you don't like my question so you can delete my comment.
You mentioned in vlog that you will share your father about ur vlog with ur son cuz ur dad doesn't know sign language. My question is that if ur sons are deaf so how can you try to tell ur dad abt this if ur sons are deaf. How can you cope with that ? That is what I am wondering. Mine is different situation cuz my parents are deaf so I would not rely on my hearing kids to translate for me.
Questioner
:-)
I'm using my kleenex to sniffle my nose and my eyes.
White Ghost
Response to Questioner:CLICK HERE
John
Thank you for ur effort time to reply me by using ur vlog.
I understand ur clear explanation about the communication between you and ur warm-hearted dad.
I of course don't blame you.
haha lol very funny about interpreter that u would alter.
By the way, I never meet you but I always enjoy watching ur vlogs and you have great sense of humor and creative.
:-)
Questioner
(sorry for not telling my real name. Maybe later I will be disclosed my real name and use my vlogs. )
Your moving story has me shed some tears... your parents are very special to you. I was thinking... Your parents made so many long trips to take you home every weekend when you attended school in Indiania and in Wash. DC so maybe it is time for you to go see your father every week?? It is hard for him alone?? He will be thrilled to see you no matter what. Don't worry about communication... Just a thought. Tears are now rolling down my cheeks so I will have to go find a kleenex!
Just Deaf
Response to Just Deaf: CLICK HERE
John,
Your parents were really unselfish. They devoted their lives to appearing in your life eventhough you were four hours away and that is very inspiring. This should be in Chicken Soup for the Soul. I just ate chicken soup on this rainy day here in California. :-)
It's cool to have a video-reply from you, John!! I am really glad to know your brothers and nephew are keeping an eye on your father on a daily basis... I look forward to more vlogs from you and your sense of humour. Sorry about the mixup of your schools.
Just Deaf
JOhn ! sigh!!! Your reply to "just deaf" made me cry even more again and had goose bumps... I do believe "what goes around comes around" BLESS YOUR FAMILY!!!
S.
See my reply
http://my.videoegg.com/video/dytUyZ
Billy
Billy,
Many thanks. I am sure they never forget about your injured knee and they hope I don't get a bad knee like yours, lol!
Wonderful video!!
Thanks for sharing it with us :)
gwlj
Michele,
This is my response to your comment about the guy that kicked his mom out of the house for speaking to his baby. That's me.
Let me explain something. My mother was an interpreter for 17 years. I told her that the house rules is that she is to sign to our son. Another house rule is that nobody is allowed to buy our baby son a radio, a telephone, a microphone or any other hearing device- real or fake.
The reason why we set this house rule is, our son will have to deal with audist crap outside of our house. He deserves a place where he can be himself and have a break from it. You know?
My mother broke that rule EVERY time she came to our house. She bought our Deaf son a fake cell phone, bought him a scooter with a telephone on it, and a fake radio. AND she talked to him without signing to him.
What kind of message do you think that sends to me? Hence, out the door. Simple as that.
My mother is 49 years old, and she knows my position. She knows my wife's position. Yet she chose to ignore it. Consequence? She is not welcome in our home.
If people disrespected you in your home, I hope you would have the mind to kick em out.
Regards,
Erick
Mn,
Yes, his wife (Jill) officiated our wedding, and she did a WONDERFUL JOB! She did it in "singsong" ASL, very clear and right to the point.
If you ever wanted a Deaf preacher, I would strongly recommend Jill.
No wonder you are the man you have grown to become! Beautiful inside and outside!! Keep on vlogging!!!
John,
Can ya do me a favor,if ya don't mind?
Please pass this to your parents.....
Mr. & Mrs. Lestina, bless your heart and my hats off to ya all for being a Fantastic Parents! I wish I could meet ya and shake your hands. Ya done well. Well done raising a fine gentleman.
Thanks,
Joe
Hi John...
That is very nice your vlog story about your parent support to you when they come to you...as they really love you and importion to you a lot
I didnt know that you was attended to Illinos School Deaf (ISD) Now I was surprised that... Same me too I was attend to ISD for 4yrs.. My parent always come to pick me up for break time and drop me back to dorm...till later some of sophomore and jurior I told dad not need pick me up but I will go ahead join bus for free than waste of money for gas when dad's drive a car! but rather nothing..Go ahead do it myself with them student who will go to Chicago home for break time...
They did show up my Prom 99 and 2000 That is very nice they come to see me and last of graduation whole of family mom dad brother also his wife. I was surprise that brother and his wife coming to watch my graduation but I am so happy to them come my last of ISD Graduated.. I still miss my favorite ISD...but after graduated moved back home in Europe!
Thanks for reader..
~~~Tigrica~~~
Virginia Billy:
I watch your video about 4 hours to drive to Deaf school.
Okay I was small boy...my mom took me go to train to Deaf school 1943. Take train run for 15 hours during World War II. After WWII, I take bus to Deaf school for 10 hours. Now Interstate 81 open, still long trip to Deaf school for 7 hours on one way.
Thanks
Billy
*sniffing**hard to swallow* what a beautiful story! I have to admit you are very lucky son of a wonderful parents. They have a great heart no matter what deaf or hearing child like you. I am sort of jealous, but Every family are different. Have you thought about giving a videophone to your dad to keep in touch? It will be easier for eldery to see the live show. I plan give a old dlink to my brother. why? I want my brother's 5 years old twin sons can see their grandma because she is old and unable to drive that far. Have a great day! Thanks :-)
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