Children's sign language programme under threat as funding dries up
Sign-language classes are a lifeline for parents with deaf children, but one programme is under threat unless funding can be secured, writes Hazel Parry
Like any mother, Louise Siu Pui-yee was overcome with emotion when her son Remus first called her mummy. He was 18 months old and it was a word she never thought she would hear.
In fact, she didn't actually hear the word - she saw it. Remus was born profoundly deaf and he communicated that special first word by putting his finger on his chin - the sign for mummy.
That was when 34-year-old Siu understood the value of sign language and realised the time she had invested in learning it alongside her son had all been worthwhile.
It is the right of these children to acquire two languages [oral and sign].
She discovered her son had hearing problems when he was one month old, but it wasn't until he was about five months that doctors told her he was profoundly deaf.
"I was really sad and I didn't know what to do. I was quite scared for Remus and how he would communicate," she says.
Happily, a fellow mum told her about signing classes held for toddlers. Siu and her baby began to learn sign language at the Peace Evangelical Centre Kindergarten in Ngau Tau Kok, finally establishing a channel to communicate with each other.
Remus is one of 40 children, aged between three months and three years, learning sign language at the preschool.
