A Note From the Future
By Jeanne Hollabaugh and Michael Epstein, Arizona H&V
I’m just so proud that I can’t help tooting my son’s horn. I am a mother of three children, two of whom are deaf. We did all those things that young families do with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing: figuring out a diagnosis, endless trips to the audiologist, years of speech therapy, semesters of ASL, poring over IDEA legalese, and attending countless IEP meetings. Even with all of that, in what seems a blink of an eye, my children have grown and are out in the world.
My middle son, Michael, is a graphic design artist. One of his first big projects was creating the tri-fold brochure for Arizona Hands & Voices when he was in middle school. He immersed himself in theater arts in high school and then went on to earn a degree from Carnegie Mellon University. After graduation Michael moved to Los Angeles where he’s been working in television and film. I never know exactly what he’s doing until the day his show or project is launched. Here is what he sent out on November 12, the day that the Disney Plus streaming service was launched.
I don’t often talk about my job, but I am really proud of this one….
Over a year ago I was asked to be the graphic designer for the first live action Star Wars TV show, TheMandalorian. It never occurred to me in even my wildest dreams that I would have the chance to contribute to such an iconic and creative franchise. And now at long last my hard work over the last eighteen months is streaming throughout the galaxy on Disney Plus.
My designs and creations can be seen throughout the show. I am beyond excited and honored to have helped create a galaxy far, far away….
My deafness has made my professional journey difficult. It has made interacting at work exhausting, and has limited my options in many ways. Through hard work and knowing when and how to ask for help, I’ve been able to find a place in this industry. My advice to all deaf folks striving to thrive is to think of the big picture. Use the resources you have, and know when to ask for the ones you don’t. Prove to those around you that you are an asset by working twice as hard as anyone else. Build on the trust you earn and become the best at what you do. Along the way learn when to let things go, how to fill in the inevitable communication gaps, and practice asking for help when you need it.
I thank my parents and upbringing for arming me with the tools I use every day. I’m fluent in both ASL and English. I use both on a regular basis, both professionally and personally. Having gone to school with an ASL interpreter in every one of my classes, I was able to understand and learn the material, while at the same time develop different skills and tricks for navigating a hearing world. I was given the chance to fend for myself, stand up for myself, speak for myself, and solve my own problems. While I failed often and made plenty of mistakes, I learned something new each time, and it is those lessons that have assisted me in my professional career. I have to use every trick I have, every ounce of problem solving, and constantly fight for accessibility. I’m grateful that I was raised with every option and path available to me. “
– Michael Epstein
Editor’s note: See this link for more photos and a short signed and captioned video by Michael Epstein: https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/topics/dhh-involvement/video/epstein.html. While his mom is no longer active in Arizona Hands & Voices, once an H&V parent leader, always an H&V parent leader.
H&V Communicator – Winter 2020