Christopher Jon Heuer
You Pray They Fall Right
I built a rope swing for my son Jack the other day. Not the world’s safest creation… yet. The tree is old and gnarly—it’s possible his weight (increasing hourly) could yank the whole branch down. Or the knot could slip, though I tied it seven times. Or he could fall again as he did [...]
On Why Dora the Explorer Isn’t a Superhero—Where a Lack of Discrimination is the Problem
Quite a few deaf people, I would bet, have experienced the following scenario: A couple of years ago I was at the airport (using a major airline). I told the people at the desk near my gate that I was deaf; a standard practice of mine in case somebody announces a gate change. [...]
HB 1367 – The Distrust Runs Deep on Both Sides?
As a critical reader of media, I find myself left with a lot of questions after reading the article entitled “Deep Division on Deafness” in journalgazette.net (based in Fort Wayne, Indiana) regarding HB 1367. These questions are not meant to point out fault in the story itself, but to bring these questions before the [...]
My Letter to the Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee (“Oppose HB 1367″)
Dear Senator: My name is Dr. Christopher Jon Heuer, and my dissertation, professional research, and work all fall within the fields of literacy, language acquisition, and Deaf Education. HB 1367 will soon come before you for review. I hope you will consider my arguments against it and oppose it. At the very least, I [...]
Consider What You’re Fighting to Win–My Post on Hear Indiana’s “Support HB 1367″ Facebook Page
For the background on the story, see Michele Westfall’s recent DeafEcho.com article. The following is a recent update on the issue: HB 1367 apparently passed in the House in Indiana, and will soon make its way toward a final vote (with amendments). Below is a slightly revised version (note to the general audience: don’t post [...]
Notes from a Helicopter Dad
My son is three. Keep this in mind. So I walk into his pre-school classroom last week, right? This room has two teachers: Mr. Rogers* and his assistant—let’s call her Vladmilla. Mr. Rogers is a young guy. Professional, mindful of the children as human beings with feelings… yes, even at the tender age of [...]
Spleen Gone Blues
I met her in a bar. Her drink was almost done. Irony was hoping that I would be the one. So I slide upon the stool and I say my pick-up line. I say “Baby how ya doin’?”” She says “Baby, you’re fine!” Well wow, whoa, it was Halloween! Who would’ve thought she’d be [...]
The YouTube Video You Don’t See
It has been about a week now since the video of Sarah Churman was posted on YouTube. You know what happened next… it went viral, major news networks picked up on the story and reposted the video on their websites, and since then there has even been a television interview or two. Sarah Churman, if [...]
Men Calling Women-A Sestina of Spiraling Madness
I don’t like women. They are so busy! This is true! How many times do you call them? Once? Two times? Three times? Four? No, no, no! If you have self-esteem like rhino-hide, you could see they are not interested in you, and this is why they don’t call you back! But then [...]
Spirit (Part II of an Ongoing Series)
A spiritual journey forces you to confront the concept of self-directed motion. The action that you take is of secondary importance to the realization that action is yours to take. * Until I was seventeen years old, I thought I believed in God. In retrospect I think I was much too busy at the [...]