Growing Up Deaf

About the Book

Growing Up Deaf: Issues of Communication in a Hearing World, is my autobiography. My parents, hearing Italian immigrants, had two hearing children and me; I’m Deaf. I live in two worlds: Deaf and hearing. Perhaps you are Deaf, or have a Deaf friend or relative. Growing Up Deaf will show you my frustrations and joys of communication in the Deaf and hearing worlds. You will understand how important American Sign Language (ASL) is to me. You will learn about Deaf culture from a Deaf perspective, and how, as a Deaf person, I move in and out of these two worlds.

About the Author

Rose grew up in Queens, New York. She attended P.S.47, a public school for the deaf in Manhattan, and then a hearing vocational high school. Like most Deaf people, she married a Deaf man, Vincent Pizzo. Vincent and Rose have three children and three grandchildren. Rose worked for many years as a Data Entry operator. She has been an active member of the North Jersey Community Center for the Deaf (NJCCD) and its Women’s Auxiliary. Rose has been a Teacher’s Aide at the Fair Lawn Deaf Program for over twenty years and has taught American Sign Language(ASL) to hearing adults at the Fair Lawn Community School. In addition, Rose has welcomed interpreting students into the Deaf community, so they could improve their skills and become comfortable with Deaf adults..