“The feeling of connection may be one of life’s sweetest moments… When someone understands you, really understands you, because they have been there.”
Our Parent Mentors represent a wide range of experiences raising children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Every family has a unique and changing understanding as they travel their paths with their children. This knowledge helps them understand the possibilities and challenges that may present themselves to other families. We have parent mentors fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.
Parent Mentors
GRISELLE RAMIREZ
Languages: Spanish, English & ASL
(760) 492-3420 Voice/Text
griselle@leadkfamilyservices.org
ESTELA CAMACHO
Languages: Spanish, English & ASL
(408) 421-5208 Voice/Text
estela@leadkfamilyservices.org
My family was introduced into the Deaf community with the birth of my son Joey. Our home languages consist of Spanish, English, and ASL. As a family, we enjoy outside play, movie nights, and games. My favorite thing as a mom is all those first moments when my children have discovered how to do things on their own! As a Parent Mentor, I have learned to be open to different ideas and bring families from diverse cultures and languages together.
I am the mom to 3 fabulous Hard of Hearing daughters ages 7, 5, and 3, and we reside in the greater Sacramento Area. My girls were born with Mild-Moderate Hearing levels. Despite having a background in Deaf studies, I felt unprepared for the journey of raising a Deaf child. It has been so fulfilling with friends who have been there by our side. Our household utilizes a bilingual, ASL/English approach to everyday life, and we have high expectations that our children can do anything they set their sights on when access and effective communication is present. In our free time we love to camp, play at the lake, visit our local library, and participate in community events. Also a quick fun fact: A lot of people don’t necessarily know my name but they know me as “that mom with 3 Deaf girls.
I have worked for almost 20 years at Santa Clara County Office of Special Education (SCCOE) for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. I have been a Parent Mentor since November 2019. I have two wonderful daughters, my youngest is deaf, educated, and independent. We use sign language as one of the ways we communicate. I also volunteer on the board of directors for Bay Area Community Health (BACH). My husband and I live in San Jose and enjoy hiking, cooking and reading.
As a Parent Mentor my goal is to provide the outreach and support I had a hard time finding at the start of my parenting journey. After a 5 month stay in the NICU, my oldest received their Auditory Neuropathy diagnosis. We began learning ASL as a family with the help of a Deaf Coach immediately. I am now a mom to 2 curious, energetic, and very funny kiddos with fluctuating hearing loss and my family uses both spoken English and ASL. I’m passionate about language access and creating positive social experiences, academic outcomes and community for DHH children. Before kids, I was a Navy brat who travelled constantly. As a result, I’m an expert at finding something to love about every space we occupy. I’m looking forward to making new connections and helping local DHH families foster joy to the best of my ability!