At Guide By Your Side,
we work when a family needs support.
Our Parent Guides serve families across Washington State. The red stars on the map represent our Parent Guide locations.
Guide By Your Side Program – Parent Guide Staff
Our Parent Guide staff are trained parents of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
About Christine
Christine and her husband are the parents of two Deaf and hard of hearing children. Their journey has taken them in many different directions, always following their children’s lead, and grateful for the ongoing support from other families of D/HH children. Since being connected to another parent early on in their children’s lives, Christine has been a steadfast proponent of parent support, and working with families since 2006. She has a BA in Theatre Performance, and a Maters of Education in Adult Education. Christine is also a board member of Washington State Hands & Voices. In her off time, Christine enjoys photography, visiting with friends and walks along the water.
About Deb
Deb and her husband have three adult sons, two are hearing and their middle son has profound sensori-neural hearing loss. He wears bilateral cochlear implants with great success. Deb has a BA in Interior Design and has enjoyed being an at home mom since her first son was born. She is a board member of Listen and Talk, the listening and spoken language school her son attended in Seattle. “I have a passion for helping others with their hearing loss journey, it can be an emotionally devastating time and I like to be that glimmer of hope, because with hope all things are possible!”
About Diana
Diana is a mother of two amazing Deaf children. She started along this journey of motherhood over 13 years ago. In that time, she has learned much, met wonderful people, and has become involved in the Deaf community. Diana is a strong advocate for her children and all children with hearing differences. She has worked with education and medical professionals to improve services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. When Diana is not working as a mother or parent advocate, she is a school teacher in the Tacoma area.
About Bernadine
Bernadine and her husband are the parents of three children. Their family began signing over 23 years ago during their time at the Parent Infant Program in Seattle, WA when their middle son was identified as profoundly Deaf. They are thankful for their rich journey including many fabulous people, role models, learning experiences and opportunities with the Deaf community in both Washington and Michigan. These experiences have shaped their family placing an integral value on ensuring communication is accessible. Bernadine has worked in the public school setting for over 15 years and finds supporting families as a Parent Guide a way of giving back to the community. Bernadine enjoys playing strategy games with family & friends as well as sharing the outdoors hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and kayaking.
About Rochelle
Rochelle and her husband are the parents of two children. One son is hearing and their daughter is hard of hearing (unilateral hearing loss due to her microtia atresia). She wears a BAHA, (bone anchored hearing aid) with success since she was one years old. I am thankful for all the guidance and support we’ve received along our hearing loss journey. I hope to be of support to help a family feel at ease through their own journey. Rochelle has a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and teaches elementary school in Snohomish County for over 10 years now. She enjoys being a mom, walking their family dog, the outdoors and watching movies.
About Heather
Heather and her husband are the parents of three Deaf children. Their children utilize cochlear implants and hearing aids. They have been signing since their oldest was a baby.
Heather is grateful for the incredible community of parents, professionals, and friends they have found on this journey. Trained as an educator, she loves all opportunities to learn and to mentor others. Heather enjoys volunteering in the community, reading, baking and exploring their area with her family.
About Elisa
I was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 2013 I moved to the US with my husband. Our son is hard of hearing, and wears a hearing aid on his left ear and a cochlear implant on his right ear. Right after our son attended a mainstream school, I had a wonderful opportunity to become a Parent Guide. My goal is to share with other families that no matter the language we use, the way we communicate shouldn’t be a barrier for our kids achieving success and wellbeing.
Español
Nací y crecí en Guadalajara, México. En 2013 me mudé a Estados Unidos con mi esposo y ahora residimos en Redmond, WA. Tenemos un hijo que al nacer fue diagnosticado con hipoacusia bilateral. Utiliza un aparato auditivo en su oído izquierdo y recibió un implante coclear para su oído derecho a sus tres años. Cuando nuestro hijo entró a la escuela general, tuve la maravillosa oportunidad de convertirme en un padre guía. Quiero compartirles a otras familias que no importa nuestro idioma, la forma de comunicarnos nunca debe ser una barrera para conseguir el bienestar de nuestros hijos.
About Nadia
My name is Nadia, I was born in Burundi, in East Africa. We have 3 kids, our middle and youngest daughters were born with profound sensorineural hearing loss, and they both wear bilateral cochlear implants.
I work as an Anesthesia tech and love that I can be the advocate for my patients who are deaf and hard of hearing.
I am thrilled to be a part of Washington
Hands & Voices to support families in their journey
Kirundi
Nitwa Nadia nkaba navukiy I burundi mfise abana 3, babiri bavutse batumva, bambara utuntu bita cochlear implant tubafasha kuva.
Nkora kwa muganga mfasha abagwayi baje kubagwa. Nakazi nkunda kanamfasha iyo ndonse abagwayi bafise ubumuga bwo kutuva kubaba hafi.
Ndishimy kuba muruyu mugwi gufasha imiryango murugendo gwabo.