Tag: disability
-
Navigating Privilege, Marginalization, and Legacy Burdens
When we think about Codas (Children of Deaf Adults), society often views them through a singular lens: hearing individuals who grew up in Deaf households. This perspective, while partly true, oversimplifies the complexities of their lived experience. Codas exist at the intersection of privilege (hearing) and marginalization (identity)—a dynamic that is often misunderstood and rarely…
-
Letting Go of Shame: How EMDR Can Help Transform Self-Perception
Shame is a powerful emotion that can deeply impact how we view ourselves and navigate our relationships. It often builds up over time, layered through past experiences and interactions, becoming a part of our self-concept that can be hard to shed. For those seeking to release these burdens, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) offers…
-
The Coda Identity: Bridging Two Worlds and Creating a Legacy
The Coda identity is a complex and unique experience rooted in the intersection of Deaf and hearing worlds. Codas (Children of Deaf Adults) grow up navigating two distinct cultural and linguistic environments, often becoming language brokers/interpreters, cultural mediators, and advocates at an early age. This unique role shapes their sense of self, worldview, and interpersonal…
-
Language Deprivation: A Silent Crisis in Brain Development
Language is the foundation of human connection, learning, and thought. For Deaf children, access to an accessible language—such as sign language—during critical developmental years is essential not just for communication but for brain health and cognitive resilience. Yet, many Deaf children experience language deprivation, a condition with far-reaching implications for their neural development, cognitive abilities,…
-
Grieving the Unique Loss of a Deaf Parent as a Coda
For many Codas (Children of Deaf Adults), the loss of a Deaf parent is more than the loss of a loved one—it can feel like losing a piece of ourselves. As Codas, we are “deaf by association,” immersed in a culture and language that often defines who we are. When our Deaf parent passes away,…
-
Why Do Codas Love Music? A Unique Connection Between Bimodal Bilingualism and Musical Expression
Children of Deaf Adults (Codas) grow up at the intersection of two worlds: the Deaf world, where visual-spatial language and culture are paramount, and the hearing world, where auditory language and music are central to communication and expression. This dual exposure shapes Codas in extraordinary ways, fostering a unique, often profound connection to music. This…
-
Finding a Therapist Who Truly Understands Codas: Why Coda-Savvy Care Matters
As a Coda (Child of Deaf Adults), your upbringing was likely anything but typical. You’ve lived between two worlds—Deaf and hearing—with a unique blend of language, culture, and responsibility that shaped who you are today. But finding a therapist who truly “gets” the Coda experience can be challenging. Many therapists might miss the nuances of…
-
Breaking the Silence: How Intergenerational Trauma Impacts Deaf Families and Their Hearing Children
When we think of trauma, we often consider the individuals directly impacted. Yet trauma, particularly within families, rarely stays contained to one person or generation. For Deaf individuals and their families, trauma is an intricate web of lived experiences, shared emotions, and inherited coping strategies that can deeply affect both Deaf and hearing children alike.…
-
Welcome to the Space Between: A Journey of Advocacy, Healing, and Education
Hello and welcome to the Space Between! I’m excited to introduce myself and share a little about who I am, the work I do, and my mission to create meaningful change for Deaf individuals, Codas, and the broader community. My name is Joy Plote, and I’m a licensed counselor and a proud Coda (Child of…
-
The Coda Counselor Blog
Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m excited to introduce myself and share a little about who I am, the work I do, and my mission to create meaningful change for Deaf individuals, Codas, and the broader community. My name is Joy Plote, and I am a licensed counselor, trauma specialist, and a proud Coda…
the Coda Counselor 