1998
This is our daughter Elysha. She has Down Syndrome.She is six years old and has a twin brother, Aaron. he doesnt have down syndrome. Before the twins were born Aileen was learning sign language to become an interpreter. This was to become one of the best things to happen for Elysha.
We started using sign language with her at an early age as we knew that spoken language would be a long time coming. Aaron picked it up right away but we persevered for a long time with Elysha before she signed her first sign. Once she grasped the concept there was no stopping her.
Many people are under the illusion that using sign language will stop speech development but I think Elysha has proved the opposite as her language skills have improved immensely since using it. She has mastered a large range of signs and between sign and spoken language we have bridged the communication barrier. S ign language has been absolutely fantastic for us.
Elysha has a bubbly and cheeky personality and we love her dearly. Elysha is now involved in the Signing Choir and enjoying her skill as a bilingual person. John (Elysha's dad)
1999
Time for an update on Elysha. The twins are now 7 ½ years old. Elysha is back at school. She is in an IO unit at a mainstream school. We are also having her do inclusion time in the hearing unit. We are hoping that it will be close to 50 - 50 time spent in both. Elysha fits in quite well and will get lots of help with her communication skills.
The new photo is of the twins towards the end of 1999. We feel its a great photo as it shows the family similarities. Elysha has since had her hair cut quite a bit shorter. When I look at Elysha these days I wonder if she will become an actress -once she can be understood - as she is such a full on goer - singing, dressing up, play acting and generally letting the world know she is here and pleased to be here. Aileen (Elysha's mum)
2000
Elysha is now (Aug 2000) in the hearing unit 4 days a week. It is working very very well. She is achieving academically way beyond what the teachers expected of her. What can I say - we are ecstatic. Elysha is signing more, talking more, understanding more, starting to read.
There is no garantee she will be in the hearing unit next year as she's not deaf enough. But we will keep our fingers crossed. The school is right behind us on this. Elysha is still involved with the Deaf Choir - will be there for the arrival of the Paraolympic Torch - the choir is doing a few songs. Elysha is also now involved with Special Olympics - gymnastics.
Life is looking great.
2001
Elysha and Aaron are now 8½ yrs old - Elysha participated with the Sydney Signing Choir in the closing of the Paralympics Ceremony - she was brilliant - cant believe she got up infront of 100,000 people and performed. New school year and she is back to the IO unit as the infants unit had to combine with the Primary and shes not deaf enough to be in there. Still doing some reverse intergration in the hearing unit and interpreter time and hearing support (signing) so she is still going well. She loves school and loves life and everybodies happy.
2002
Elysha and Aaron are now 9 yrs old and we are into 2002. Aaron is doing brilliantly at school - its all so easy for him and he loves the academic side of life. Aaron is also doing Gymnastics and has started levels this year. He is like a flying bean. We are very proud of him. Elysha had another great year at school. A good teacher certainly makes a difference and we appreciate all she has done. Here they are with my first grandson, Keegan. Gorgeous boy.
Elysha is recognising quite a few sight words, is reading and knows her numbers to 30. Elysha has used the graphics from sign language to learn many of her words and also fingerspells to help herself. 9 years old and still using sign successfully. The school gave her reverse intergration into the signing unit a couple of times a week, a bit of interpreter time and the itinerate worker from the Dept of Education signs also.
This year we have been offered more sign support as Elysha is still struggling to be clearly understood and to understand others (not all the time). Elysha is coming along and I can see a future where Elysha will be clearly understood and with the use of her hearing aids and peoples help she will be able to understand what they are saying in return.
Keegan visits lots and Elysha has taken on the role of mother- gets him up in the morning, feeds, dresses (doesn’t change nappies) and entertains him till she gets bored. Keegan follows her everywhere.
2003
We are ready to start a new year. Elysha has been offered the same as in 2000 - hearing unit 3 days and IO unit 2 days or vis versa depending on what is best for her as she goes along- communication and academic - what more could I ask for. She had a great yeat in 2002 but still struggles to be clearly understood and understand if people aren't using sign as well as verbal. Her signing skills are great and have helped her immensely in learing to read. Fingerspelling has helped with her spelling and retaining the knowledge she has picked up. Elysha is growing in herself - confidence, understanding, comprehension, sense of humor and wanting to share her life experiences. If she doesnt have the sign sometimes it can be very frustrating and heartbreaking trying to workout what it is she wants to say. We are getting there just lots and lots of hard work on our part and especially Elysha's.
Elysha's teachers have been very supportive and we have seen many academic and social improvements.
Aaron has also done very well -academically excelling and he decided in 2002 he would like to join Elysha in the St Andrews Signing Choir. First appearance for Aaron was the opening of the Special Olympics then the Starting Points Macarthur annual Auction night - opening this event. At the end of November we went to watch him join Lurnea High School students, a few students from Newcastle & Robert Townsen Hign at the School 
Spectacular. Most of these students are deaf or hearing impaired. They did a fantastic job. Their teacher Lynn managed to co ordinate all these students from different schools together in a superb performance.
Elysha loves having Aaron in the Signing Choir with her and actually gives a better performance with her brother up there with her. Watching them at school assemblies and Carols by Candlelight gave John & I soooo much pleasure. This photo is me with my second grandson, Brock. Another gorgous boy.
2004
Elysha and Aaron have their final year in High School. Both did extremely well. Aaron again performed with the Signing Choir at the School Spectacular with students from Newcastle, Lurnea High and Robert Townsen High School. Elysha and Aaron also performed with the St Andrews signing choir at their usual school events, Christmas presentations and an Auction night for Starting Points. Aaron has decided he wants to go to Robert Townsen as it’s only just down the road from us.
We have been everywhere checking out schools since early last year trying to make sure we found the right one for Elysha. John and I decided on Lurnea High, as it is a mainstream school with hearing units and IO units – same as St Andrews. WOW what a battle –unbelievable – what we wanted and what we were offered were two very very different things. But I refused to give up and finally won the battle! Elysha will start at Lurnea High next year. I cant tell you how hard it has been to get her into this school but it was worth the battle and I cant wait to tell you how she goes.6th class formal. They are growing up so quick.
Keegan and Elysha are totally bonded. Keegan follows Elysha everywhere and they natter to each other in their own language. When I ask for a kiss he checks with Elysha first (I just cant explain this relationship – its a total devotion on both sides – the rest of us are on the sidelines). I love to listen to their laughter – the sound and total abandon is beautiful.
2005
Year 7. Aaron’s first year at school away from Elysha. He is enjoying the school, having friends that live near him and being there just for himself. I’m glad I went with this decision, as it was time he started looking out just for himself. This year he had Elysha joining him at the School Spectacular and they both performed beautifully. Our crowd is growing each year as more and more friends and family come to watch. Academically Aaron is doing the family proud – it’s so nice to have one out of my four that doesn’t need to be prodded to do homework or assignments and his reports are always good.
Elysha started at Lurnea in the Hearing Unit and was to transfer to the IUO unit shortly after then do part time in each as was done at St Andrews but after three months it was decided she would do best staying in the Hearing Unit and joining in the IO unit for some subjects. Elysha’s signing skills and reading skills are coming along in leaps and bounds. She has been given the sign name ‘cheeky’ (can’t guess why??). Elysha is thriving in this setting and I could not ask for anything better.
THAT’S MY GIRL!!!!
2006
Year 8 and Elysha is still going very well. She has inherited my sense of humor and sees the funny side of most things. Also a little wicked at times and amazes me with her understanding of the funny side of life. Gets a bit frustrated when people don’t understand her. Enjoys school immensely and being with her class friends. Communication is so simple for her. Me – I’m blown away by how easy she finds life at school – being with teachers and students who can sign makes a huge difference for her – they can understand what she’s saying and she can understand what they are saying. When with deaf students only she just uses sign language but when with anyone hearing then she uses both sign and voice. Hardest for her is when she sees that a person can’t sign she tries to just talk and then people struggle to understand what she is saying. Elysha and Aaron both performed in the school spectacular again this year. Aaron has decided this would be his last year. As usual he is doing well at school and has been learning to play the drums for a year. What an event when they decide to ‘jam’ – John (guitar and vocals), Dale (guitar), Aaron playing drums as loud as possible with Elysha singing her version of the songs. Neighbors have moved out –no its not the music.
Keegan and Brock continue to visit every holiday’s, Keegan to see Elysha (oh yeah and us). Its games and computers and their laughter over the latest movies. These movies are often paused and rewound again and again over a scene that totally cracks them up. Brock is my cuddler, giving me the kisses and cuddles my boys are too busy for.
I have a T-shirt idea “ask me to stop and sign” – when ever Elysha is prompted this way she starts signing as she is talking and the quality of her language improves 100% allowing her to be understood. E ven if people cant sign they pick up ideas as so many signs are natural gesture or represent the topic so well that they can build on the communication. Her language quality improves as pressure has been taken off her; she separates her words better and remembers sound prompts.
Elysha’s pet hates – people who pretend they understand what she’s saying when they really have no idea!!
School teachers ALL feel that Elysha is in the best school setting possible for her to reach maximum educational and social and communication skills. Why is it we have to fight so much to get our childrens rights?
2007
Year 9. Elysha’s communication skills are getting better all the time. She is thriving at Lurnea High and they are more than happy to have her in the Hearing Unit. I have joined the PCDE (Parent Council Deaf Education) and met a wonderful group of parents who are all very active in trying to get the best for their children.
Its a sad fact that when it comes to children needing sign language for speech and/or developmental delay I am seeing lots of frustration for other parents, trying to get appropriate support in the classroom for their children. We continue to fight for a better education system for our children and I hope one day I will look back at this and be able to say "we did it"!!!! Photo of Elysha & Aaron with their elder brother Dale and his girlfriend Mel.
Met up with another mother, Tara, at one of the conferences I regularly attend. We have decided to join together to produce some more resources. With sign language graphics and bright colourful pictures.
Elysha & Aaron again performed at the school spec – we are sooooo proud of them. Family came from Canberra to watch as well. Elysha shines and bubbles thru life. Still needs that t-shirt though!!
Keegan asked for the first time why Elysha was hard to understand when she talks. All this time and he has just taken it for granted. Once I explained he just nodded and went back to join her – no problems.
The laughter over particular scenes in movies still continues and still brings a smile to my face and laughter when I’m asked to wait….. wait, while they rewind and get me to watch it to. Brock trying to join in the friendship but they are being a bit exclusive – I need to work on this.
2008
Year 10. Aaron didn’t do so well this year – distracted by computer games WOW. Thank goodness its now passed. Drum lessons fell off and the terrible teens hit the house. Between Elysha and Aaron and their teen attitudes I am ready to run away myself and maybe come back in another six years.
Elysha had a wonderful year. School Spectacular went well and Elysha was in her element as usual. Lyn does such a wonderful job with our kids - it was the 25th anniversary for the school spectacular and 25 years since Lyn started the Signing Choir. What a wonderful teacher. Her daughter is Elyshas teacher and she is wonderful with Elysha. They all push Elysha to reach her best each year. Elysha was awarded Most Outstanding Student in her class this year. Won an award and a book that she was able to choose. She chose "The Wizard of Oz" - humor here - somwtimes she reads it properly and sometimes she just opens at random pages, scans the page goes to another. When I asked her what she was doing she said "I'm just reading in my imagination mum!" - what can you say to that.
When not in that teen mood life is pretty good - she is happy to help out at home - prefers cooking to housework. Keegan is 6 years old now and still Elysha's best friend when he visits. Brock sometimes stays at the same time - the friendship is improving - they will play together as long as Keegan is sure Elysha is happy with what she is doing. It is so hard to believe the twins turned 16 this year - so much has happened.
2009
Elysha and Aaron in year 11. Aarons atitude to school has changed and life is better or at least it was at the biginning of the year. Ah the teen years how I do love them!!!. Elysha is doing year 11 plus 1 day a week at TAFE - catering course. Seeing her in her little chef uniform is so cute. TAFE has supplied an interpreter for her and she is loving it. Elysha is also into painting window clings and is loving her art time and selling at the markets.
