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We travel the world to learn and share stories of empowerment, inspiration, and connection between international Deaf communities. For more information, photos, video, and to sign up for our monthly newsletter, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com
The DDW Team
About Us
- DISCOVERING DEAF WORLDS
- Our organization is dedicated to empowering and advocating for Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities around the world. We believe everyone deserves accessibility to language, education, and community.
7 comments:
How did you both get started on this project? What made you take the initiate on planning the trip? :-)
It all started last summer on a family trip to Mexico, sittin on a balcony overlooking the bay, amidst an everyday conversation, back n forth, back n forth sharing dreams to travel the world. "I wanna hike Mt Kili someday....scuba dive in the great barrier reef...work on an organic farm in Nepal....see the terrecata army in China...."
Our wishlist went on like this for hours and we realized we had the same passion to travel the world....in this lifetime. Here we were both in our late 20s, both in transitional times of our lives, and both believing we could actually make it happen! Soooooo, right then and there we made a commitment to each other to do it before it was too late. We didn't want look back 30 years from now, living in regret, saying "I wish I wish I wish"...
We started brainstorming places to go, and getting in touch with friends who have traveled the world before us. Since we are both involved in the Deaf world, there was no doubt we would be visiting Deaf communities, schools, etc along the way. We are intrigued to meet new unique people and learn about different Deaf cultures, pick up bits and pieces of other sign languages, etc...and then it hit that we need to document and share this experience! Our minds were racing with ideas and our true passions were pouring out!
At first we were overwhelmed with all the possiblities....we could partner up Deaf camps for an international adventurous exchange program... or link 'pen/VP-pals' at Deaf schools to encourage kids to travel internationally as they get older... or how about writing a book on the ways we learn to communicate as a Deaf person and Hearing person in and out of signing, gesturing, speaking, doing what we can to connect with Deaf and Hearing people in all these fascinating places....
We finally narrowed it down to the projects that were most do-able and appealing to us right now: interviewing international Deaf leaders on some of the bigger issues they are facing and capturing a collection of stories in different sign languages by video.
DDW is a project in progress and we are already expanding our team. So far Christy and I are being flooded with support and encouraging words, which tells me we're on the right path. An exciting adventure awaits!
Anyways...that's my trying-to-keep-it-short answer....thanks for asking =)
~DJ
Wow...I always thought Rachael Ray had the best job, getting paid to travel around eating and talking about the food. But your project sounds even more interesting. Wish I'd thought of it myself. Kudos for your gumption in pursuing your dreams...and sharing with the rest of us. Dave, don't you think you'd better get that 50th state out of the way? :)
June 21, 2007
Hi Dave and Christy...
Wow...Kudos to you. I wish you would film your journey for a showing on Travel Channel in the future.
If you ever think of going to Greece, you would find a few graduates of Gallaudet University such as Ted Staroyiannis, a member of the Class of 1975. Ted is involved with the Deaf Sports Federation.
Also, a good friend of mine, Tassos Tsaoussis, a 40 year old college-educated Greek Deaf gentleman from Athens, can show you around the city. He is fluent in English as well as ASL. He is an excellent tour guide and a very resourceful person. He can be reached at his e mail:
tass30us@yahoo.com.
Your journey brought back fond memories of my auto trip from Ohio to California. I kept diary of the month-long trip while my sister drove all the way. We visited with our maternal relatives in the West Coast. This was our most memorable trip.
I wish you a safe journey and an exciting adventure.
Best wishes...
Renee T.
Hi Christy and Dave,
This is Colton and Aunt Glenda.
I miss seeing you, I had a great time this summer surfing. Dave maybe you can practice on your trip. I will miss you but will keep in touch with you on your website. I can't wait to see pictures and hear stories about your trip. I love you, Colton and Aunt Glenda
Hello Christy & Dave!
You really did it!!! Wow! Congratulations!! Please be careful on your journeys... I know you will. I will keep you in my prayers for safety, and provision, and that you would find favor with whomever you meet.It was so nice to see your smiling face! Just remember two things... Never go to bed angry, and never travel alone.
Much Love,
your friend always,
Valerie
Hi Christy & Dave,
News of your DDW adventure reached me via my friends in New Zealand! They wondered if I'd ever heard of you (YUP)!! I'm absolutely thrilled with your latest undertaking, and hope it evolves into a travel service that specializes in Deaf touring. While you're in the land of Kiwi, I have several contacts for you--including some Deaf kiwis who are traveling this year in Europe. Also have some wonderful Deaf contacts in Australia, the Marshall Islands and the Philippines for you. Contact me via my email (you have it) for their addys. And thank you for keeping your eyes on the far horizons...it's inspiring to everyone.
all the best,
Leeanne Seaver
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