Karen Mahoney-Wilson

 
Where I live Sonora CA
Family Info  
Where my deaf grand child attends school 10 year old granddaughter attends CSDF. Her mother, my adult daughter is deaf.
How I felt when it sunk in that my adult daughter doesn’t hear I experienced a gamut of emotions ... dismay to hopefulness.
What having a deaf child has brought to my life Immeasurable joy.
My advice to other parents Enjoy your child for his or her own personality and gifts. Cultivate a family, social, educational and creative environment which brings out those gifts.
My deaf child’s biggest milestone(s) Child: becoming the woman and mother I’d envisioned. Grandchild: pursuing her love for horses
Year I joined IMPACT 1995
Someone I remember from my first conference Lori Steed; past president 2005-2006. I admire her ability to organize and motivate.
One thing I remember from my first conference Attorney Richard Peterson’s keynote presentation on advocacy for deaf & hard of hearing children.
Why I joined the board IMPACT is the hub from which I can work with other parents to increase opportunities for deaf & hard of hearing children to fulfill their potential.
My role models, mentors, heroes and inspirers in this journey My daughter’s first Early Start teacher: Gloria (Foley) Sevilla. She guided me toward knowledge which would ensure my daughter’s success in life.
Outside of parenting a deaf child, I also… (hobbies) LOVE to spend time with all my grandchildren.
And a little about my education, work or career… Background as a paralegal and special education advocate. I currently work as a Parent Consultant for PARENT CONNECTIONS, a program within DCARA (Deaf, Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency) in which I provide parent to parent support for parents of deaf & hard of hearing children, up to age 5 in Santa Clara County.
And my final words… Spend time with your child ... communicate effectively with your child ... ensure an appropriate education ... cultivate your child’s gifts ... let them your child know he or she is loved and has an important place in this world.