Cats act as ears for deaf woman

Betty Macaluso holds her cat, Tom 2, at her Lawrenceville home. Macaluso is deaf, and the cat wakes her up in the morning and functions as her ears.

Betty Macaluso doesn’t need an alarm clock; she has cats.

The Lawrenceville woman is awakened each morning by Tom 2, a wide-eyed orange and white cat, who gently paws at her arm about 6 a.m. wanting his breakfast. If Tom 2 happens to sleep through his job or gets distracted, Tiger, a heavier gray and black tabby, steps in.

Since Macaluso can’t hear the ringing of an alarm clock – she has been deaf all her life – her cats serve as her ears. She adopted Tom 2 and Tiger, both now about a year old, from PetSmart in Lawrenceville when they were 3 months.

“They know I can’t hear,” Macaluso, 68, said through a sign language interpreter. “They do hear for me.”

Macaluso recalled one morning when Tom 2, whose predecessor, Tom 1, she said was also very smart, stood on her stomach gazing up at the ceiling above her bed. A week went by and she noticed Tom 2 often staring up at the same spot. When Macaluso shined a flashlight over the area that held the cat’s attention, she saw a thin, round line of clay on her ceiling and immediately called pest control. Tom 2 had detected termites.

“(Pest control) came to check up and … found out termite(s) (were) inside (the) wall and asked me how I (heard them),” Macaluso wrote via e-mail. “He was puzzled (how I knew if) I am deaf and can’t hear. I smiled and pointed to my Tom 2.”

The exterminator told Macaluso she was lucky to have a cat like Tom 2; she could have lost her home if he hadn’t detected the termites.

Tom 2 seems especially sensitive to insects in his home.

“He notices the smallest things,” Macaluso said, “a spider on the ceiling, an ant crawling on the floor.”

Tom 2 and Tiger also notice the flashing lights that signal the doorbell or video phone is ringing and alert their owner.

Since Macaluso can’t hear her cats’ meows, whenever the two want to play, they know to gently paw at her leg to get her attention.

Macaluso, whose parents were also deaf, grew up in a home with cats. She remembers one evening when she was a young girl, sitting down with her mother on the swing on their porch, when their family cat began acting strangely.

“We were puzzled why,” Macaluso wrote.

Until the cat began fighting with a rattlesnake that lay five feet away from Macaluso and her mother.

“He saved me (from being bitten) by a rattlesnake,” she wrote. “I will never … live without two cats because they always helped me by (hearing what I cannot).”

Michael Jackson Signed to His Pet Chimpanzee

Bubbles & Michael Jackson in 1986

By Bug

How many signed words did Michael Jackson know? How did he learn American Sign Language?  Nobody really knows. Fookem and Bug team found a rare footage from Jackson on a tour of Japan in 1987. This video shows that Jackson signed “SIT” to his monkey Bubbles.  He understood Jackson’s sign language. Michael Jackson almost wanted to sign “sit” to Bubbles at 0:27 but a chimp did not see it. Finally, Jackson signed to him at 0:36.  View this video of Jackson signing to Bubble. And they are doing the moonwalk:

For many years the baby chimp Bubbles was always beside Jackson until he grew up and became less cute and more unpredictable.  Jackson claimed that Bubbles had slugged him.  Also, he was afraid that Bubbles may attack Jackson’s newborn son, Prince Michael II. He gave his 11 year old chimp friend to a private zoo.The singer stated he regretted having to remove the chimp, as they can live to 60 years old.

How did Michael Jackson meet Bubbles?  In 1985 Jackson rescused him from a cancer-research lab in Texas.  He adopted three year old baby chimp as his pet and friend.  Bubbles lived at Jackson’s Encino home, but moved to Neverland Ranch in 1988. He slept in a crib in Jackson’s bedroom. He was allowed to use Jackson’s private toliet. His chimp sometimes wore a diaper.

Bubbles was taught how to moonwalk and he famously made a cameo in the video for “Liberian Girl” and accompanied Jackson during the recording sessions for Bad.  “Liberian Girl” was not one of Jackson’s bigger hit but was still the ninth and final single from the bad album. See Bubbles in this video at 2:08 – 2:14 but no closed captions or subtitles:

Bubbles and his little Bubbles

The sad news of Michael’s death made many people thinking of Bubbles. The news of his death still doesn’t seem entierly real, and there are still a lot of questions that remain unanswered. Good news is that Bubbles is still alive and enjoying his life at a ranch in Sylmar, California.

At last does Bubbles know his beloved friend Michael Jackson’s death? It is possible because the animals can sense the death of someone they are loyal too.

Bubbles’ life saved by Michael Jackson. He is probably the luckiest chimp. Over years Jackson out to animals for their unconditional love and non-judgmental companionship, he often gave back to them in return. Bless Michael Jackson.

Signing Santa Brings Joy To Deaf Children

Baby Sign Racer

Can you beat the baby’s sign language game?  Click:

http://babystrology.com/baby-games/baby-sign-racer/baby-sign-game.swf

Painful Poem: Deaf Love for Talkie

There is a poignant poem “Deaf Donald” by Shel Silverstein about a little boy, Deaf Donald, who signs, ” I love you,” to Talkie Sue. But because she can’t read his language, she leaves “forever” and never knows that he is trying to tell her that he loves her. This poem is an example of the “absence of understanding” on the part of the characters. I can’t find the picture of Deaf Donald signing to Talkie Sue anywhere on the internet so you can find the children’s book, “A Light in the Attic”, on the page 143. (see below) at many places such as libraries and bookstores. Enjoy reading the poem.

Deaf Donald

Deaf Donald met Talkie Sue

But I Love You was all he could do.

And Sue Said, “Donald I sure do like you.”

But I Love You was all he could do.

And Sue asked Donald, ” Do you like me too?”

But I Love You was all he could do.

“Good-bye then, Donald, I’m leaving you.”

But I Love You was all he could do.

And she left forever and she never knew

That I Love you means I Love You!

-Shel Silverstein

Updated: Our FB reader Sharon found this for you.  Many thanks to her. 

 

Santa Claus speaks with Deaf Child through VRS!

By Bug

Watch this video and see a Deaf girl asking Santa Claus to call her. Did Mr Claus call her through VRS? Yes!

So is there a Santa Claus?

Well, we live in a world where the idea of someone rewarding good behavior in this life, rather than the next (or at the door to the Disneyland) sounds darn nice, and particularly for children, is a good reminder of the rewards of thrift, virtue, compassion and honesty. And those are sorely missing attributes in our modern world, if you ask me.

So yes, I think that there is a Santa Claus.

I’ll certainly make sure we leave a plate of cookies and glass of milk out on Christmas Eve. How about you?

Enjoy the video.

If you appreciate their service, give them a sign.

Written by Bug

Our Deaf friend from Holland (thanks to Jodi) sent this link : http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php  Please feel free to click it and view Deaf people signing “thank you”. I think the sign for ” thank you” is different a little bit from what we use in our everyday ASL. But this one the sign they are using for the gratitude campaign literally translates as “thank you from the bottom of my heart.” It’s nice to see their simple signed words as they thank the soldiers. I won’t be surprised if the soldiers know the signed words like “thank you”. I am sure some of them have Deaf friends at home…maybe they are CODA (Child of Deaf Adult). Not every soldier has experience with Deaf people. I hope they know that we the Deaf people care about them. Let’s thank them if you appreciate their service. Soldiers around the world appreciate your thoughts and feeling supports. They love their country so they fight for us.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying thank you to the troops for a tough job well done (and whether you agree with the war in Afghanistan, Iraq or not doesn’t/shouldn’t even come into it)….give them a sign, ” Thank you.”

I know everyone has mixed feelings and opinions about the war. Be reminder that country sees pain and grief, but love has tied us together. Support the Troops.

Note for Soldiers:

To Men and Women of the Military,

Thank you so much for your service, being away from your home, family and friends. We and our readers just want to let you know that we appreciate it and thank you for it. Please come back safe and soon.

FB

Are they triplet CODA?

 They might be triplet brothers, are they CODA (Child of Deaf Adults)? They are cute and talented. The name of song is “Change A Heart, Change The World”. We tried to find the whole video but no luck. Enjoy watching.

 

MY MOTHER’S LAST WORDS

by: Jack Levesque, 1992

At the age of 80, my mother asked me, “Did we do the right thing by sending you to the Clarke School for the Deaf? Was an oral education right for you?”

At 81, she said, “I should have learned sign language. But we were told it was not the right thing to do by the staff at Clarke School. I can now see the difference in communication, and I see that it was a mistake not to learn sign language.”

On July 10, 1992, at 10:20 a.m., my mother, Ruth Miller Levesque, passed away in the Monson, MA home of my brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Janet Levesque.

I was at her side when she died. Just prior to that I was in Denver, Colorado, for the NAD Convention and the Substance Abuse Conference that followed it.

I got word that my mother was going fast. Though I had planned to be at my brother’s house on July 21, I decided to fly out early on July 10.

I flew into Hartford, Connecticut, and drove up to Monson, arriving at 7:15 a.m. I had about three last hours to spend with this courageous woman before she slipped into a coma and passed away at 10:20 a.m. It was obvious that we had very little time left, so we tried to say all the things we had in our hearts. I talked and lipread her. Toward the end, she wanted to tell me something. I didn’t understand and asked her to repeat it. Twice more I asked her to repeat, then finally I gave her a piece of paper. She was only able to write the letter O, or maybe C, before her eyes closed and the deep sleep of coma overtook her.

In the weeks and months before my mother’s death, we spent many hours going over issues and preparing for her death. It was done verbally, not comfortably, but adequately. My mother made sure I had the finest oral education around. She was proud of my speaking ability, and impressed by my less-than-perfect lipreading. But we never had a real conversation. Oh, I knew she loved me. I knew she was proud of me. But I’ll never know her last words to me.

Her death was, in a way, a blessing. She had been in pain for two years due to cancer. I am comforted to think of her at peace and free of that pain. But the frustration of our final moments together will haunt me. If she had learned sign language, she would have been able to tell me clearly whatever it was that was so important to her. That moment was a painful one. It made me think of all the other things she might have told me over the years, but didn’t.

I can’t change anything. I can’t go back and make her hands fly easily. But I can make a plea to other parents of deaf children:

LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE.

I do not intend to get involved in the communications controversy. This moment is too close to me and too painful to muck it up with politics and arguments.

Communication between parent and child, or between any two people, is just too vital to be embroiled in communication methodology. The simple truth is this: if you want fluent communication and a meaningful exchange of ideas, emotions, thoughts and love with your child, sign it.

Parents, don’t let idealism and rhetoric get in the way of realism.

The point was made painfully clear to me that sad morning a few weeks ago. I shall always wonder what my mother wanted to tell me.

It’s too late for me. Is it too late for you?

Do You Really Need A Hearing Dog?

Fancy

Written by Bug

Getting a hearing dog to work sounds for you in your home and possibly go with you into public – can be a life-changing experience. But it’s not necessarily the best choice for everyone. And it will be frustrating at times. Not everyone would agree, that’s understanding. In the past I thought that would be ridiculous to have a hearing dog just because you are deaf. I love all kind of animals. I love dogs. I respect the people with guide dogs and service dogs but hearing dogs? “Why do you really need one?”, I thought. I could do on my own without help…I didn’t need a “helper” in my life. I didn’t need my mommy to wake me up. However, I changed my opinion about the hearing dog. Here’s my story.

One day I worked at the Aspen Camp School for Deaf in Colorado. I went backpacking with the campers in the woods. On that day a camper was wandering around and disappeared. All of us were looking for him. I knew he had a whistle with him but how could any of us hear him? No hearing person was present. We searched for him for about 2 hours. I told myself, “I wish I have a hearing dog….” I sent my staff out of the mountain to contact the police. The rangers, searchers, sheriff, and firefighters came. There were about 50 people searchers looking for him. 12 hours later my camper was found because he blew his whistle. He was fine. He explained that he was curious and walked off the trail and got lost. He slept beside a dead log because he was tired.

After that I thought about getting a dog for some reasons. I just wanted to have a companion. Another reason was that I lived alone. I contacted International Hearing Dogs, Inc and applied for a dog. I got a beautiful trained hearing dog. She was a black mixed collie and retriever. Her name was Fancy. It was overwhelming to have her as a new family member in my life. She was more than ready to work sounds for me in my home and anywhere I went. It was a life-changing experience. This has given me a stronger sense of independence and security I didn’t realize how much I missed the “sound” around me.

Someone tried to break in my place, my dog was there to scare some burglars. How did I know? My doorknob was unlocked and open. Other time I was driving on a long road. Fancy jumped in the front seat from the back seat, she alerted me. I pulled over. She was pointing her nose at something so I opened my hood and found a broken fan belt. I was impressed! Other time I trained Fancy to search for the lost kids. She did very well by finding me the playful kids hiding behind the bush and woods. She would let me know when there was a person at the door. I thought it would be nice to have one, in case a fire alarm went off or something. At night Fancy would jump on the bed to make sure I was asleep before she went off duty. She would jump on me if I didn’t wake up when my alarm flashed. Something she enjoyed more than chasing squirrels. She was my best friend.

On the Flag Day, June 14 2002, Fancy was doing what she usually did in my vehicle on warm summer nights, hang her head out the window with her ears flapping, barking at the cows, sheep and horses. I noticed a truck traveling in the wrong lane. I flashed my lights warning him but the driver didn’t react. The driver crashed into us. I remember spinning around and watching the windshield shatter. I was hurt and bleeding. When we came to stop, I reached out to Fancy. She was scared and hurtful, she nipped on my palm. Fancy was bleeding. I could see her bones sticking out from beneath her fur. Most bones inside her broke. I pulled her to my legs and laid her face on my lap. She was looking at me. It was the most painful experience. I think she was trying to tell me good bye. My teardrops fell.

I was taken to the hospital where the state patrol later told me my dog had died. An officer said he was heartbroken to see my dog so he put her in his state patrol car. My body still hurts. My spirit and heart were broken. State Patrol officer said that driver was arrested because he was a habitual drunk.

Four days later I paid tribute to my hearing dog Fancy, with a full- blown funeral including music, spiritual readings and no fewer than 40 mourners. I believe animals have souls and spirits, the same as people. I buried my best beloved hearing dog Fancy at the Precious Memories Pet Cemetery near a creek because she liked water. “My last mile with you will never end. I love you. Eric,“ the headstone reads.