Amy Szarkowski

Amy Szarkowski, Psychologist, LEND, Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf
“My moments of greatest joy involve my own children - when I am truly attending to their curiosity and noticing their 'ah-ha moments', when I allow myself to let go of my own agenda and delight in what they are doing and how they are growing in the present moment, and when I fully embrace and reciprocate their demonstrations of love. I wish to live in a world where all caregivers and families - including and especially those with children who are deaf or hard of hearing - can foster that kind of joy of being.“

Candace Lindow-Davies

Candace Lindow-Davies, Director of Outreach, Hands & Voices HQ
“As the parent of a young adult who is Deaf “Plus” (many health challenges), practicing the art of Fostering Joy is essential to daily life.  When I feel my son is hitting roadblocks, slowing down and shifting the focus to his strengths and reveling in all that he has accomplished is just the ticket to help him push on through. I seek joyful moments every day to keep filling my reserve!”

Stephanie Olson

Stephanie Olson, Co-Director of D/HH Infusion - H&V Headquarters, Colorado H&V Board member and Family Consultant for Children’s Hospital Colorado

"I find joy connecting with people in the great outdoors. One of my favorite parts of life is planning a family camp for families with children who are also deaf/hard of hearing and making it as accessible as possible. Mini flashlights, lots of light at the bonfire-every activity needs to be seen, heard, felt, and accessed by the whole family.  I want to say to families and their children, ‘Come on!  Let’s go outside and play!’”

Jennifer Clark

Jennifer Clark, Early Intervention Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Specialist, Hawaii Department of Health Early Intervention

“D/HH Fostering Joy is an intentional mental shift for parents and professionals. We get wrapped up in achieving goals, coming up with strategies, attending meetings, etc., and forget to delight in the joy filled moments unfolding right before our eyes. Refocusing on joy, helps us to refocus on what matters most…the kids.”

Janet DesGeorges

Janet DesGeorges, Executive Director, Hands & Voices HQ

"When I think of the journey of raising my daughter who is deaf... not knowing what this meant in the beginning...to being a confident parent with a strong sense of who our daughter could become... to living through the different stages and ages of her life...to now enjoying seeing her thrive and succeed in her life as an adult...really, the only word I can think of right now is... joy."

Nicole Hutchinson

Nicole Hutchinson, Parent-Infant Program Coordinator, The River School, Washington DC

“I am Fostering Joy because I love watching children and parents bond through joyful moments together. I'm excited to help families focus on the joyful moments of everyday interactions with their kiddos who are deaf or hard of hearing. “

Rashaun Davis

Rashaun Davis, Parent Advocate, Delaware Hands & Voices

“As a parent of a DHH child we encourage Maddison to break barriers and shatter limits. Maddie has many accomplishments, 3x published author Including a national book tour, she speaks Mandarin, plays soccer, basketball, gymnastics and is very active in school and church. We are her biggest advocate! Her smile, energy, and passion for life brings us joy.“

Cora Shahid

Cora Shahid, Executive Director, California Hands & Voices

“I have been blessed with the remarkable gift and great privilege of parenting three incredible individuals for the last 30 years. I learned early on that my children respond positively to optimism and in our home we make a conscious effort to spot joy each day. We dish out compliments, shake off the little things and we start our day with acknowledging what we are grateful for. It takes focus but it is definitely worth practicing each new day.  As a chapter leader I feel inspired by the joy families experience through our programs and I am incredibly honored to walk this journey with them.

"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.’” -  Henri J.M. Nouwen

Beth Jones

Beth Jones, GBYS Coordinator, Nevada Hands & Voices

"As a mom who had two of my three young children identified as being Deaf/Hard of Hearing on the same day, I struggled with finding the joy at the beginning of our family's journey. Meeting other parents and professionals within Hands & Voices helped me take breaks from the stress of appointments, assessments and the fear of missing milestones, and truly helped me focus on and celebrate the joyful memories of raising my children."

Karen Putz

Karen Putz, Co-Director of D/HH Infusion, H&V Headquarters

 “As a mom of three deaf kids who are now adults, I often tell parents not to blink, because the parenting journey unfolds quickly! It’s a reminder to find and create those joy moments throughout the journey.”

Marilyn Sass-Lehrer

Past Member: Marilyn Sass-Lehrer, Professor Emerita, Gallaudet University

“I am inspired by families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing. I see joy in their faces and love in their playful interactions. Families are awesome, and I am grateful to be part of a movement that celebrates them every day.”

Linda Lytle

Past Member: Linda Lytle, Professor, Department of Counseling, Gallaudet University

Sarah Honigfeld

Past Member: Sarah Honigfeld, Parent Infant Program Director, The Learning Center for the Deaf

“As a Deaf person with hearing parents, I am fortunate to have a strong and positive relationship with my family. This wouldn't have been possible without their love and acceptance for me as a whole person with multiple identities. This positive experience led me to join Fostering Joy, to share my experience with families with Deaf children.”