By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
news4garrod@gmail.com
PAW PAW – After their young son experienced a slight hearing loss, the owner of The Lucky Wolf, Paw Paw, has recently started a free community event to build a deaf space for the Paw Paw community thanks in part to staff members at Mattawan Community School District and the Van Buren Intermediate School District (VBISD).
Lucky Wolf owner Jason Deibler-Love said, “We almost lost our son when he was one year old to bacterial meningitis. He thankfully has recovered well, but one of the lasting effects is a slight loss of hearing which is extremely important during this speech developmental stage.”
He added, “We are thankfully getting some amazing support for speech therapy, and he wears hearing aids and has been learning sign language (his twin sister is picking it up too). When Mark (Ostrander), who works with him, brought to me the idea of doing something for the deaf community as a family, friendly event, I said, ‘Of course!”’ said Deibler-Love.
Ostrander said, “It’s an opportunity to build a deaf space. We live in a hearing world. We’re trying to build a deaf space. It’s a chance to interact with the deaf community through deaf space and Deaf culture in the Paw Paw community.”
Deibler-Love said, “It was beautiful to see how many people came out to the first one and they are looking forward to the second monthly meet and greet on March 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lucky Wolf, 404 E. Michigan Ave.
Deibler-Love concluded, “If anyone has any interest in learning some sign language, it is such a great platform and opportunity to do it over a cup of coffee, a glass of wine and a really wonderful community.”
Monthly events that are deaf/asl focused, are being planned, according to Deibler-Love.
