5 out of 5
Finding Zoe: A Deaf Woman's Story of Identity, Love, and Adoption
Rating 5 | 15 reviews
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Product Description
Four-month old Zoe was gradually losing her hearing. Her adoptive parents loved her-yet agonized-feeling they couldn't handle raising a deaf child. Would Zoe go back into the welfare system and spend her childhood hoping to find parents willing to adopt her? Or would Zoe be the long-sought answer to a mother's prayers?
OVERVIEW
Brandi Rarus was just 6 when bacterial meningitis took away her hearing. Because she spoke well and easily adjusted to lip reading, she was mainstreamed at school and socialized primarily in the hearing community. Brandi was a popular and happy teen, but communication-and being fully part of every conversation-was an ongoing struggle.
In college, Brandi embraced Deaf Culture along with the joys of complete and effortless communication with her peers. For the first time being deaf wasn't a handicap; it was a passport to a new and exciting world. Brandi went on to become Miss Deaf America in 1988 and served as a spokesperson for her community.
It was during her tenure as Miss Deaf America that Brandi met Tim, a leader of the Gallaudet uprising in support of selecting the school's first deaf president. Brandi and Tim married and had three hearing boys-the first non-deaf children born in Tim's family in 125 years.
Brandi was incredibly grateful to have her happy and healthy family, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from her life. She had always dreamed she would have a daughter. Little did she know that just across the state line, Zoe was waiting for her.
Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is an uplifting story of hope, adoption, and everyday miracles.
Deaf since age six after contracting spinal meningitis, Brandi Rarus could speak and read lips, but felt caught between the deaf and hearing world--fitting into neither. When she realized you don't need to hear to live a fulfilled life, she became empowered and was chosen as Miss Deaf America. From signing the National Anthem at a Chicago Cubs game to speaking at corporate conferences, Brandi traveled the country speaking out for deaf children and building awareness of what it means to be Deaf.
She married Tim Rarus, an advocate for Deaf people whose work inspired the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Together, they have paved the way to bring new technologies that promote equal access in communication. Brandi and Tim live in Austin, Texas, with their four children: three hearing boys and the youngest, Zoe, a Deaf girl they adopted. Today, Brandi and her family are tirelessly dedicated to ensuring all children find their rightful place in our world.
Award-winning writer and teacher of the intuitive process, Gail Harris has experienced the joy of adopting a child. She brings her knowledge of the adoption process and in-vitro fertilization to this book, along with her ability to articulate from a hearing person's perspective what is fascinating about the Deaf experience. In the four years that it took to write Finding Zoe, Gail conducted more than 75 interviews to uncover. Gail is the author of Your Heart Knows the Answer and a featured blogger on several popular parenting blogs. She lives with her husband and son in Framingham, MA.
Additional Details
OVERVIEW
Brandi Rarus was just 6 when bacterial meningitis took away her hearing. Because she spoke well and easily adjusted to lip reading, she was mainstreamed at school and socialized primarily in the hearing community. Brandi was a popular and happy teen, but communication-and being fully part of every conversation-was an ongoing struggle.
In college, Brandi embraced Deaf Culture along with the joys of complete and effortless communication with her peers. For the first time being deaf wasn't a handicap; it was a passport to a new and exciting world. Brandi went on to become Miss Deaf America in 1988 and served as a spokesperson for her community.
It was during her tenure as Miss Deaf America that Brandi met Tim, a leader of the Gallaudet uprising in support of selecting the school's first deaf president. Brandi and Tim married and had three hearing boys-the first non-deaf children born in Tim's family in 125 years.
Brandi was incredibly grateful to have her happy and healthy family, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from her life. She had always dreamed she would have a daughter. Little did she know that just across the state line, Zoe was waiting for her.
Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is an uplifting story of hope, adoption, and everyday miracles.
About the authors
Deaf since age six after contracting spinal meningitis, Brandi Rarus could speak and read lips, but felt caught between the deaf and hearing world--fitting into neither. When she realized you don't need to hear to live a fulfilled life, she became empowered and was chosen as Miss Deaf America. From signing the National Anthem at a Chicago Cubs game to speaking at corporate conferences, Brandi traveled the country speaking out for deaf children and building awareness of what it means to be Deaf.
She married Tim Rarus, an advocate for Deaf people whose work inspired the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Together, they have paved the way to bring new technologies that promote equal access in communication. Brandi and Tim live in Austin, Texas, with their four children: three hearing boys and the youngest, Zoe, a Deaf girl they adopted. Today, Brandi and her family are tirelessly dedicated to ensuring all children find their rightful place in our world.
Award-winning writer and teacher of the intuitive process, Gail Harris has experienced the joy of adopting a child. She brings her knowledge of the adoption process and in-vitro fertilization to this book, along with her ability to articulate from a hearing person's perspective what is fascinating about the Deaf experience. In the four years that it took to write Finding Zoe, Gail conducted more than 75 interviews to uncover. Gail is the author of Your Heart Knows the Answer and a featured blogger on several popular parenting blogs. She lives with her husband and son in Framingham, MA.
Additional Details
| Feature | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Mfg part # | 9781940363226 | |
| UPC | 9781950665785 | |
| Weight (lbs) | 0.75 | |
| Country of Manufacture | United States | |
| Author(s) | Brandi Rarus Gail Harris | |
| Deaf Author | Yes | |
| Publisher | BenBella Books | |
| Publication Date | 2020 | |
| Media Type(s) Book CD-ROM DVD | Yes No No | |
| Cover Type | Paperback | |
| Pages | 265 | |
| Voice Over / Audio | No | |
| Captions | No | |
| Age(s) Baby Child Teen Adult | No No No Yes | |
| Earn CEUs | No | |
| ISBN | 9781950665785 |
Attention CA Residents: Prop 65 Warning
WARNING:
This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.
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Customer Reviews
By Stephanie
Date: April 04, 2018
Great read! Highly recommend!
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
[5 of 5 Stars!]
By N. Eyster
Date: February 10, 2018
I was introduced to this book as a book assignment and can honestly say I couldn't wait to get home a read another chapter! For someone who's not an avid reader this book definitely locked me in! Must read if you have any interest on learning about deaf culture and what it means to love!
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
[5 of 5 Stars!]
By faye
Date: January 16, 2018
great
Rating: 
[4 of 5 Stars!]
[4 of 5 Stars!]
By A Customer
Date: October 23, 2017
It effectively illustrates the beautiful miracle of adoption and the journey to self acceptance.
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
[5 of 5 Stars!]
By Carla Hart
Date: September 21, 2017
Incredible book, true story!!!! Must read. About a late deafened person and the struggle between the hearing a deaf world, where she belonged. Also about the wonderful option, adoption.
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
[5 of 5 Stars!]
By Tonie
Date: June 07, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Finished reading it within two weeks. I began learning there was a Deaf Culture earlier this year, and since then have been reading, watching DVDs, and learning more about Deaf Culture. I always knew there were Deaf individuals and the use of ASL, but had no idea about Deaf Culture and its richness. I purchased this book wanting to learn more from a Deaf person's perspective and their true life experience. I was fascinated by the depth and openness of Ms. Rarus sharing about her deafness and life, and in her journey of finding Zoe. I thought the writing style was excellent and flowed very smoothly and was entertaining and inspiring with seriousness, humor and joyfulness. I loved the grace of God that permeated this wonderful memoir.
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
[5 of 5 Stars!]