Gallaudet's writer-in-residence Myron Uhlberg's presentation

Writer-in-residence Myron Uhlberg presented today, or rather told three dynamic stories, about his childhood and his Deaf parents to the Gallaudet University community this afternoon in Elstad Auditorium. Uhlberg, although I think I can call my friend Myron, began with a story about how his parents always considered him such a strange kid. He explained that to be like his father whom he so admired (although I shouldn't use the past tense here because it is clear that everything he does is still to earn the respect of his father and mother whom have both passed) he put bubble gum in his ears as a young boy to make himself deaf. 


While his first story was humorous, the second story about his boxing performance had the audience rolling. Lastly, Myron recounted how his father, a printer by trade, would make printer's hats for him. Young Myron, and I would argue the adult Myron too, so loved these hats that he would often beg him mother to allow him to  sleep in them. 


While I could go on and on about how much I adore Myron Uhlberg (I do! This professional crush tops them all-- move over Josh Swiller and David Mack... okay, I'm still crushing on all of you), my favorite part of his personality is how he connects with our Gallaudet students. When I first had the idea to bring him to campus, I knew how fascinating I found Myron once he started storytelling, but I wasn't sure if a gentleman in his 70's would be able to capture the attentions of 18-year-old freshmen. During his February visit, he captured the hearts of so many. Today's presentation was no exception. He made us laugh and cry! His final message to our students was for them to go write their own stories, "It isn't hard. You write a story from your heart... a true story for you!"


Videos to come!!!

New in Young Adult

Ricky's Adventures by Rick S. Decker
Reading level: Young Adult
Perfect Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing (October 13, 2009)

Main Character Ricky is deaf.
Product Description
I guess we never can tell about some of the things we do in life and how they will affect other people later on...I guess that's why it's so important to always try to do the right thing in life, huh, Ricky? Ricky lives life in 'the middle.' In the middle of his brothers. In the middle of the city and country life. And in the middle of every new adventure just waiting right around the corner. Beginning with the discovery of the artesian well near his parents' home to unearthing pirate booty and the secret family history that has been buried for decades, follow Ricky down the hot-sand sidewalks of 1969 Florida to the best places 'in all the world'. With the help of his camouflaged G.I. Joe survival watch, Ricky will transport you to a different time; a time with Peggy's Popcorn, the 'cowboy life' in Texas, road trips, and bicycling to new places in hopes of discovering the unknown. Learn about life in the middle during Ricky's Adventures!

CODA Author Myron Uhlberg returns to Gallaudet University

It may not come as a surprise to anyone that Gallaudet University's First Year Experience program annual Common Reading book selection is Hands of My Father: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love by Myron Uhlberg. After a presentation on April 14 by Common Reading Committee members, community members expressed positive feedback for both Mr. Uhlberg’s new publication as well as his February campus visit which was well-received by students, faculty and staff. Uhlberg is a critically acclaimed award-winning author of several children's picture books (Dad, Jackie & Me, The Printer) that often include accounts of his Deaf parents.

The committee felt that Hands of My Father provides a framework for community members to interact while creating a sense of community in and outside the classroom, and looks forward to the numerous intellectual discussions that will derive from this memoir.
 
This week, Gallaudet's Daily Digest posted:
Presentation by writer-in-residence Myron Uhlberg
Myron Uhlberg will speak about his groundbreaking book, Hands of My Father: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love, on Thursday, October 22 at 12:30 p.m. in Elstad Auditorium. This public presentation is the culmination of Mr. Uhlberg's three-week stay at Gallaudet University as a writer-in-residence.


Mr. Uhlberg's book is the Common Reading selection for all first-year students for the 2009-2010 academic year. He is currently visiting all GSR 101 classes, and other classes by invitation, and will also meet Kendall Demonstration Elementary School and Model Secondary School for the Deaf students and teachers.


http://aaweb.gallaudet.edu/Daily_Digest/EventXite_-_Announcements/Public_Presentation_by_Writer-in-Residence_Myron_Uhlberg_.html