Just Deaf

Martine and Roos Wattel

Martine and Roos Wattel have hearing parents, who learned how to sign early on. They have their own company, Wat Telt! (link in Dutch), which tries to find ways to connect society to deaf and hearing impaired people in the Netherlands.

Experiences of this person

"It's amazing that we can be in two worlds, the deaf world and the hearing world."

"I now work at the deaf school I used to go to myself."

"Our parents would read to us in sign language, and I'd read on myself."

"I have so many fond memories of deaf camp."

"My parents could ask our deaf babysitter all kinds of questions about deaf people."

"It was great that our parents were actively involved in the deaf community."

"Our parents gave us confidence: you're great, just the way you are."

"Meeting deaf adults gave our parents a positive attitude towards deaf children."