In this Book

buy this book Buy This Book in Print
summary
When, in 1968, 19-year-old Tressa Bowers took her baby daughter to an expert on deaf children, he pronounced that Alandra was “stone deaf,” she most likely would never be able to talk, and she probably would not get much of an education because of her communication limitations. Tressa refused to accept this stark assessment of Alandra’s prospects. Instead, she began the arduous process of starting her daughter’s education. Economic need forced Tressa to move several times, and as a result, she and Alandra experienced a variety of learning environments: a pure oralist approach, which discouraged signing; Total Communication, in which the teachers spoke and signed simultaneously; a residential school for deaf children, where Signed English was employed; and a mainstream public school that relied upon interpreters. Changes at home added more demands, from Tressa’s divorce to her remarriage, her long work hours, and the ongoing challenge of complete communication within their family. Through it all, Tressa and Alandra never lost sight of their love for each other, and their affection rippled through the entire family. Today, Tressa can triumphantly point to her confident, educated daughter and also speak with pride of her wonderful relationship with her deaf grandchildren. Alandra’s Lilacs is a marvelous story about the resiliency and achievements of determined, loving people no matter what their circumstances might be.

Table of Contents

restricted access Download Full Book
  1. Cover
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Title Page, Copyright page
  2. pp. iv-v
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Contents
  2. p. vi
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Preface
  2. pp. viii-ix
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 1. Reconciliation
  2. pp. 1-4
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 2. Homecoming
  2. pp. 5-19
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 3. The Race Begins
  2. pp. 20-26
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 4. The Sounds of Silence
  2. pp. 27-37
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 5. Total Communication
  2. pp. 38-46
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 6. Stuttering with My Hands
  2. pp. 47-52
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 7. Home Signs
  2. pp. 53-60
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 8. A Difficult Undertaking
  2. pp. 61-67
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 9. Our "Normal" Life
  2. pp. 68-76
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 10. Half Hearing and Half Deaf?
  2. pp. 77-92
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 11. Her Rightful Place
  2. pp. 93-103
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 12. Our Too Cool Daughter
  2. pp. 104-115
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 13. My Own Place in the Deaf World
  2. pp. 116-122
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 14. Enter Chad . . . and Tyler
  2. pp. 123-132
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 15. I Finally Get to Hear Baby Talk
  2. pp. 133-138
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 16. A Normal Pair of Boys
  2. pp. 139-147
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 17. Smelling the Lilacs
  2. pp. 148-150
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
Back To Top

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless.