I sometimes forget that Blaine partly belongs to deaf culture.  I'm just so used to him being Blaine, you know what I mean?  I'm used to our lingo, our own way of talking and communicating.  It only springs to mind when someone else asks me what he's trying to say...or asking me to get his attention so that they can talk to him.  Today, at tae kwon-do, we met a family with a deaf and mute daughter (she's the teenage aunt of a fellow little ninja).  Her mother was interpreting for her and I was desperately trying to sign (my limitation in this area is embarrassing) so that she was part of our conversation.  Blaine loves meeting other people with hearing aids and was excited when she gave him his own sign name.  She also gave me one for which I am grateful.  Only a member of the deaf or hard of hearing can give you one, so I thought that was pretty cool :).  When we left, I felt so blessed to know that we are not alone in our troubles and that there are people out there willing to help by sharing their own experiences.  She is who she is and he is who he is.  Now it's time to move forward in acceptance and let him live.  Ciao~