Dr. Phil Episode about the Deaf-Blind Triplets Added to the DCMP Collection

The last week of June is devoted to the recognition of people who are deaf-blind. Originally intended to pay homage to Helen Keller, the deaf-blind woman who was born this week over a century ago, the week now focuses on increasing public awareness and understanding of deaf-blindness. More than a decade ago, Deaf-Blind Awareness Week became an event officially recognized by the Federal government.

The Helen Keller National Center reports that there are approximately 70,000 people in the United States who have both hearing and vision loss. Of these 70,000, the only known deaf-blind triplets live in Texas with their mother, stepfather, and older sister.

In 2006, the mother of these triplets, her husband, and his mother appeared on the Dr. Phil show to discuss the trials, anxiety, tribulations, and triumphs associated with raising their young girls.

We are proud to announce that the DCMP has acquired this episode for our free-loan collection. Though the original broadcast was closed-captioned, the DCMP has created versions that feature high-quality open captions and—for the first time in Dr. Phil show history—description. This title is ideal for parents of children who are deaf-blind or for parents or teachers who seek to relate to the experiences encountered by parents of children who are deaf-blind.

Mother and daughter: Liz Hooker and Zoe, one of the triplets
(Photo credit: Michael O’Brien; source)

But there’s more:

Now, in 2009, the Dr. Phil show is running a series called “Classic Dr. Phil.” Each Tuesday and Thursday, a classic Dr. Phil episode will be shown, hand-picked by viewers. This Thursday, the 2nd, the show “Silent Darkness” will once again air.

To quote Dr. Phil:

“[W]hen we asked you why you chose these particular shows… you said we chose it because it was solution-based… clear, and concise, and what the problem was, and more importantly—what the solution was all about… When we get back to basics, you get the answers to the questions that you’ve got burning in your life.”

And what is burning in our hearts right now, during Deaf-Blind Awareness Week, is the need for a reminder about how far we’ve come and how far we have yet to go to achieve our objectives of happiness, security, and comfort for every person in the world.

So, please, tune in to Dr. Phil this Thursday, the 2nd. Check your local listings for time and station. And please order “Silent Darkness” from the DCMP collection. Note how equal accessibility—description and captioning—compares with the closed-captioned broadcast of the show. If you feel it’s better, get out there and advocate for more accessibility options on TV, DVD, and the internet. Just as each individual makes a difference in the triplets’ lives, so, too, does each letter, phone call, and e-mail to media producers, letting them know accessibility makes a difference to you.

You may also want to consider showing your support of children with hearing and vision loss by making a donation to the deaf-blind children’s fund established by the family of the triplets.

The Described and Captioned Media Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the National Association of the Deaf.

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