Thank You for Reading & Happy Halloween!
This is just a note to thank all the subscribers to this newsletter. Signups just passed the 100 mark, which seems small, but it’s about 100x more readers than I ever thought I would have, and I am truly grateful. If you have any thoughts on what topics I should cover in this newsletter, or words of encouragement, please let me know!
And if you have friends, family, or colleagues who you think would enjoy or benefit from this newsletter, send them this link—you can sign up for the newsletter and read all my past emails in the archive there.
Season’s greetings
If my occasional references to horror movies didn’t tip you off, I am a big fan of Halloween, and wanted to share a couple fun things for kids and adults as a gesture of appreciation.
Philippine Monsters!
Deaf Filipino artist Caldatelier draws plenty of cute comics with Deaf themes, but around Halloween I always return to the little FSL tutorials he made for traditional Philippine monsters. They’re fascinating to learn about, from the half-vampire manananggal to the killer-baby tiyanak, and a nice change from all the killer clowns and zombie office workers we’re faced with this time of year.
I Need My Monster!
This one’s for the kids—it was one of Oscar’s favorites when he was a toddler. RMDSCO’s Youtube channel is essential viewing, so if you have Deaf kids, you’ve probably seen it, too. He loved the idea of having substitute boogeymen, and getting to veto the unscary ones! Jenni Jackerson & co. just make the story so. much. fun.
choosy kids choose monsters
Mr Shineyhead’s Shiny Dark Tales
This one’s NOT for the kids. Patrick Fischer is a Deaf storyteller living in Connecticut, and every year he tells a spate of creepy, urban-legendish stories in ASL for Halloween. He’s been doing it since 2018, so he’s made quite a few—he’s practically the Deaf Crypt Keeper—and I always look forward to the new ones.
Content warning: these are genuinely bloody and potentially upsetting tales. Bodily harm and death befalls children, elders, well-meaning homeowners, vintage fashion shoppers, and unsuspecting motorists, among other victims. Proceed with caution.
you got Christmas in my Halloween... again
Thank you again, and Happy Halloween!
<small>This is an informational newsletter on raising a deaf kid. All opinions in linked articles are the views and copyright of their respective authors, not this guy. All original content is ©2024, William Fertman. Links are not endorsements.</small>