No, Pek, I am second party, as I not only have a Deaf son, but numerous deaf/Deaf friends and acquaintences that I relate to on a ppersonal basis. It is those personal ties that led tothe professional development. Through those personal ties, I say that I had the abiltiy and the talents to help make the changes I see as necessary from a personal perspective. So, I am very much second party, and even much closer in my association that the typical hearing parent of a deaf child who has no ties to the deaf community themselves. I am involved not just because I have a Deaf son. That is waht started it, to be sure. But I have moved even beyond that to personal association that has nothing to do with my son. It is not just a part of his life that I share in, it is a part of my life, as well. A very valuable part, I might add, because it has made me a better person who has developed a tolerance and a respect for all differences.
