Welcome!  Grab your favorite drink (mine used to be Steak ‘n Shake milkshakes, but, oh well) and some chocolate and sit back awhile.  If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m a deaf mom of three deaf and hard of hearing kiddos.  The hubby is deaf too.  However, we’ve got a cute little Westie who can hear a rabbit breathing a half mile away.

For a while, I was a full-time Mom with part-time jobs until two years ago, I went back to work full-time as a Video Solutions Manager for Zvrs and a National Manager, VCO.  I loved my job!  I was able travel the country and improve the lives of deaf and hard of hearing customers through videophone access.  Then shortly after my dad passed away, I switched to contract work with ZVRS.

A couple of years ago, I decided to ignore the kids (something had to give!) and pursue my first love:  writing.  I started freelancing for a writing company.  Fortunately, the kids and the hubby learned to turn on the stove and wash dishes every now and then.  They haven’t quite gotten the hang of dusting, vacuuming and swishing the toilet bowls yet.  My blog writing also opened up some opportunities for me as well and I have written for Disaboom, Parenting Squad , Chicago Moms Blog and a couple of other places.  I’ve been syndicated in several newspapers around the U.S.  I have been published in Oprah (ok, ok, it was only a Letter to the Editor), Midwifery Today, and in four books: On the Fence, Don’t Cut Me Again, The Book of Choice, and Discovering Deaf Identitites. I’m currently a contributing columnist for the Chicago Tribune Trib Local and you can find me on ChicagoNow at Barefoot in the ‘Burbs. I also run a blog about Jobs, Careers and Callings for deaf and hard of hearing people.  That blog was born because I realized I wanted my kids to know about deaf and hard of hearing people in the work place– something I didn’t have when I was growing up.  So mosey on over there and see the wonderful collection of jobs, careers and callings that deaf and hard of hearing people are doing everyday.

I’m a board member of Hands & Voices and I founded the Illinois chapter.  I also provide Deaf Mentor services to families with deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to three years of age.

I’m also a distributor at SendOutCards, a custom greeting card company that provides an excellent tool for appreciation marketing, fundraising and hey,–you can even send out your holiday cards in five minutes!

Twenty six years ago, I became deaf from a fall while barefoot waterskiing.  At the age of 44, I took up barefooting again because, guess what, you’re never too old to pursue a passion.  Meet the gal who inspired me:  Judy Myers, The Best Years of Life Are Still Ahead. Judy introduced me to 61-year-old Joann O’Connor and I could barely keep up with her on the water: Barefooting with a Senior Citizen.

And if you want to give me a holler, (wait, make that a tap on the shoulder or a friendly wave):

Email:  Karen@deafmomworld.com

Twitter:  DeafMom

Karen Griffard Putz

Create Your Badge

So, sit back in your easy chair and make yourself at home.  The only rule I have is the same one that Liz Strauss employs:  “Be nice!”

A little more about me:

Karen Putz Wakes Up Internet Community

Stephen Hopson Interviews, Karen Putz Part I

Stephen Hopson Interviews, Karen Putz Part II

Karen Putz’s Interview with Diversity, Inc. Magazine

Video Interview with Diversity, Inc.

Karen Putz Interview, Someday Syndrome

Karen Putz Interview, Say What Club

Karen Putz Rediscovered Her Passion

 

Given By: The GFCF Experience