Joselyn's Story

Joselyn and her parents are deaf. When her family life began to fall apart, she couldn't ignore the constant arguments between her mother and father. The fights escalated to violence and Joselyn expressed her fear and anger by lashing out. Her rage grew so out of control that her parents voluntarily placed her in Laurent Clerc's group home for hearing impaired children. Joselyn felt betrayed and abandoned. She took her frustrations out on fellow residents and care providers. Her physical appearance deteriorated along with her behavior, but the social workers at Laurent Clerc convinced her that she could return to her family with hard work. Joselyn's parents took parenting classes and therapy. The condition of their home and their relationship with each other improved. Joselyn started to care about her appearance again. She took care of herself physically and improved her grades. With increased self worth, and a renewed trust in her family and her care providers, Joselyn now attends a high school for the deaf in Washington D.C. while she prepares to return to live with her parents and sisters.

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