Deaf Snakes

Today at the daycare, they were celebrating the Chinese New Year. So, they had activities planned to teach the children about some common traditions done during the season, like giving a coin in a red envelope, and about the Chinese culture in general, like using chopsticks to eat food. At one of the tables, they were demonstrating how animals are used to designate each year, such as the goat, monkey, and rooster. They had twelve stuffed animals laid out for each zodiac sign with cards about each one.

Troy was at the table playing with the “fluffies” with some other children when one of the children picked up the snake toy. He immediately wanted it, but my wife told him that he needed to share. So, Troy asked the boy if he could play with the snake when the boy as done with it. When the boy didn’t acknowledge Troy, Troy turned to look at him and saw the hearing aid in the boy’s ear. So, Troy tapped the boy on the shoulder to get his attention, looked him straight in the eyes, and slowly repeated his question, so the boy could read his lips.

He’s a wonder. To be able to not only recognize the boy’s impairment, but to act in an appropriate way to communicate with him is amazing. Unfortunately, Troy didn’t get to play with the snake, because the moment the boy released it, Misha grabbed it and ran off with it.