Summer Update on Felix

Hello to all of Felix’s followers and supporters! It has been many months since my last post, not much had changed except for the fact Felix got a job cleaning the bathrooms and a class opened up in horticulture. It was something new, he enjoyed learning to plant seedlings and take care of his little

Jan Update on Felix

By Pat Bliss It has been a while since I have posted anything, and I am certain that many of Felix’s supporters are wondering what has happened to him. I understand those thoughts so here, I will fill you in. [wpvideo OZMmTUFk] Since Felix received his transfer from Florida to Virginia last March, he left

ASL Interpreters at the Doctor’s Office

By Jean F. Andrews Mrs. T., a single mother who is deaf, made a medical appointment when her hearing son complained of headaches and earaches. As a native Signer, Mrs. T. requested a qualified ASL interpreter for the doctor’s office visit. She was informed that a staff audiologist interpret. But the Audiologist was busy with

What July 4th Means to Me

By BitcoDavid Next week, July 12th is a very important anniversary for me. 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. In fact, I almost died. Now, I realize that this post has nothing to do with our stated topics on DeafInPrison.com, but I had to put it up, somewhere. And this seemed

Deaf Culture in the Classroom

By Jean F. Andrews Is Deaf culture an important tool in the literacy classroom in Deaf education? Many who work closely with Deaf colleagues – and many reading teachers – say “Yes.” These people utilize this tool, when building their practical instructional models. Deaf culture serves as a strong support mechanism in teaching both ASL

A New Life for Felix

By Pat Bliss It took me 5 1/2 hours to drive to Jarratt, VA to see Felix at his new prison camp, Greensville Correctional Center. I spent the night on Friday May 6th, and visited on Saturday, May 7th. He was very excited because it was not only our first Virginia visit, but also Mothers

Language learning and Deaf Children in Morocco

By Jean F. Andrews http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/106522129 In his book, Literacy, Culture, and Development : Becoming Literate in Morocco, Professor Daniel Wagner (1993) describes the complex language learning contact situation of hearing boys and girls in Morocco. Deaf children are no different. They too are born into a complex language contact situation where their  hearing families speak

To Felix’s Supporters

By Pat Bliss There are more restrictions about mail coming into Greensville CC, than there were in FL. Felix told me mail is being returned to the senders. All mail and email that Felix can get goes through JPay. JPay is a private company that handles communications between inmates and their friends and families on

When Should Deaf Babies Learn Sign Language?

By Jean F. Andrews Deaf babies should learn sign language just as soon as their hearing loss is diagnosed, at birth, 3 months, 6 months or before the age of two.  Recent research in Neuroscience and Psycholinguistics has shown that when a baby’s brain is exposed to two languages between the ages of 6 and

A Look at Felix Garcia’s Life

By Pat Bliss In order to recap the events of 2015  I need to first start with Felix’s parole hearing in  November of 2014. The results of the hearing were very favorable in contrast to what others received that day. No, Felix was not granted his well deserved parole, but nor was anyone else. He