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California Hands & Voices

Non-judgmental PARENT TO PARENT support that honorS each family’s unique journey

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Category: Family Stories

Our members are diverse and we thank the families below for sharing their unique journey with us

By Jen Jordan

Posted on: August 1, 2025 August 1, 2025 Written by: Cora Shahid
Briefly Introduce Your FamilyWe’re a family of three living in San Diego. I’m originally from NJ and moved in San Diego 10 years ago, and Andy moved to San Diego in 2014 due to military orders. Today, I work in…
Continue reading “By Jen Jordan”…

By Rubie Lopez

Posted on: August 1, 2025 August 1, 2025 Written by: Cora Shahid
Briefly Introduce Your FamilyWe are the Lopez family from southern California. Both Dad and I are in our early 20’s. Mom’s family is hispanic, so Spanish is spoken at the home regularly. It’s been a challenge teaching Remy three languages…
Continue reading “By Rubie Lopez”…
Graves Family

The Graves Family

Posted on: February 24, 2019 July 11, 2023 Written by: CAH&V
Andre, Janell, Korbin, Remington, and Vivian Hello! We are the Graves family from sunny San Diego. We are an active family of 5. Andre and Janell both work as an analysts for the State of California. We are proud parents…
Continue reading “The Graves Family”…
Nokes Family

The Nokes Family

Posted on: February 24, 2019 July 11, 2023 Written by: CAH&V
Erin, Jeff, Amelia, and Casey We are the Nokes Family. We feel incredibly fortunate for our two wonderful children, Amelia and Casey. Jeff works in high-tech and Erin works as an audiologist. Amelia spent a significant part of her first…
Continue reading “The Nokes Family”…
Vijay Family

The Vijay Family

Posted on: February 24, 2019 July 11, 2023 Written by: CAH&V
Vijay, Nandini, Ved, & baby sister We are Vijay family. We moved to Los Angeles from India 5 years back for work. My husband Vijay is software engineer and me (Nandini) homemaker. After almost 6 years of our marriage our…
Continue reading “The Vijay Family”…
Family with Son

The B Family

Posted on: February 23, 2019 July 11, 2023 Written by: CAH&V
Hi we’re the B.’s! Jump to Polish version Our son was identified as being Single Side Deaf (he has a profound sensorineural loss on one side, normal hearing on the other) at six weeks old via ABR, after failing his…
Continue reading “The B Family”…
Lopez Family

The Lopez Family

Posted on: February 11, 2019 July 11, 2023 Written by: CAH&V
Adriana, Carlos, and their children Our journey begins before either of our children were born. In fact, our journey began before any of us were born. I (Adriana), was born into two worlds:  the Deaf world and the hearing world.…
Continue reading “The Lopez Family”…
Herrera Maqueda Family

The Herrera/Maqueda Family

Posted on: February 11, 2019 July 11, 2023 Written by: CAH&V
Analy & Lizzy Our family Herrera & Maqueda, my husband and I have two daughters. Analy our oldest is hearing and Elizabeth (Lizzy) our youngest is Deaf. When Lizzy was born she failed the new born screening test twice. We…
Continue reading “The Herrera/Maqueda Family”…
Trakhman Family

The Trakhman Family

Posted on: February 11, 2019 July 11, 2023 Written by: CAH&V
Diana, Alex, Phillip, and Nickolas We are a Trakhman family. Diana is a registered nurse and Alex is self-employed. We are parents of 2 boys. Phillip is 16 y.o. and Nickolas is 8 y.o. Nickolas is normal hearing. Phillip is…
Continue reading “The Trakhman Family”…

The Ambriz Family

Posted on: February 11, 2019 July 11, 2023 Written by: CAH&V
Ruben, Elena, and Luna Before having Luna, her father and I knew that we wanted our little girl to feel connected to us and to have a strong relationship of communication. That of course did not happen as we planned…
Continue reading “The Ambriz Family”…

News Category

  • #TogetherThursday (77)
  • Blog (45)
  • DHH Stories (14)
  • Family Stories (10)
  • News (48)

Recent Posts

01 Aug

By Jen Jordan

Briefly Introduce Your FamilyWe’re a family of three living in San Diego. I’m originally from NJ and moved in San Diego 10 years ago, and Andy moved to San Diego in 2014 due to military orders. Today, I work in…
Continue reading “By Jen Jordan”…
01 Aug

By Rubie Lopez

Briefly Introduce Your FamilyWe are the Lopez family from southern California. Both Dad and I are in our early 20’s. Mom’s family is hispanic, so Spanish is spoken at the home regularly. It’s been a challenge teaching Remy three languages…
Continue reading “By Rubie Lopez”…
20 Jun

New Strategic Plan for 2025–2028

Dear Valued Community Members, CA Hands & Voices is beginning the development of its new Strategic Plan for 2025–2028. To ensure our efforts reflect the real needs, hopes, and experiences of the families we serve, we invite your input through…
Continue reading “New Strategic Plan for 2025–2028”…
28 May

Survive, or Thrive? – a choice in the face of trials

By Myra Cullum, California Hands & Voices “It’s okay to cry.”  These were the words of the audiologist who had just performed the hearing test on my infant daughter. My baby presented as severely-profoundly deaf in both ears. But this…
Continue reading “Survive, or Thrive? – a choice in the face of trials”…
02 Oct

The Nancy Sager Saga

A Tribute to a Lifetime of Service By Cora Shahid and Kasey Cain, California Hands & Voices How can one truly capture the depth of gratitude owed to someone who has devoted nearly 50 years to serving Deaf and Hard…
Continue reading “The Nancy Sager Saga”…
09 Sep

CA H&V Northern California Family Camp 2024

CA H&V Northern California Family Camp 2024 is a wrap. Thank you for joining us. Please post/tag in the commnets to add a shout out from your family, share photos and thank the volunteers who made camp possible. More photos…
Continue reading “CA H&V Northern California Family Camp 2024”…
29 May

Testimony Wanted

Has California Hands & Voices supported your family in any way? We want to hear all about it! Write a testimonial to be featured on our website, social media in presentations etc. Share your experience by scanning the QR code…
Continue reading “Testimony Wanted”…
26 May

Ear Defenders

by Marie Morgan, CA H&V Member Living here in Southern California, we can go long stretches–even months at a time–without rain. My daughter, Kacey, is very active all year round and involved in many outdoor activities such as run club,…
Continue reading “Ear Defenders”…
07 Apr

A Family Celebrates Disability and Possibility

The family was determined to embark on a mission to ensure that all of her children felt loved, supported, and celebrated for who they are, hearing or not hearing. By Ashley Jones, California H&V with Sara Kennedy, Editor People in…
Continue reading “A Family Celebrates Disability and Possibility”…
11 Feb

A Family Celebrates Disability and Possibility

By Ashley Jones, California H&V with Sara Kennedy, Editor People in this world often struggle to understand and accept differences. The Jones family is on a mission to change that in their circle of influence. “When one child is hard…
Continue reading “A Family Celebrates Disability and Possibility”…
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About CA Hands & Voices

California Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in a respectful and non-judgmental manner regarding language opportunities, communication tools or educational approaches. We’re a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children.

Support ♥

California Hands & Voices is a non-profit organization that depends on the support of its members to succeed. Please consider donating or becoming a member.

Contact Us

California Hands & Voices
c/o Cora Shahid
15274 Andorra Way
San Diego CA 92129

**California Hands & Voices, including our board members, ASTra Advocates, or anyone associated with California Hands & Voices are not lawyers and do not provide legal advice, or represent that their advice equates to legal counsel. Nothing in the relationship between the parent requesting support and our board members, ASTra Advocates, or anyone associated with California Hands & Voices should be construed as legal advice. California Hands & Voices strongly recommends that anyone seeking legal advice get an attorney.

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