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Karen Putz
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The Passionate Lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Kindle Edition

by Karen Putz (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
It starts with a dream. A passion. A fire inside. "The Passionate Lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing People," features stories of deaf and hard of hearing people doing what they love to do. They've climbed mountains, raced cars, championed causes, traveled the world, and more.

Foreword by Dr. Glenn Anderson

Featuring Greg Gunderson, Amy Duarte, Brenda Stoltz, I. King Jordan, Melody and Russ Stein, Heidi Zimmer, Jonathan Nicoll, Joel Barish, Sofia Seitchik, Tate Tullier, Thomas McDavitt, Karen Meyer, Mojo Mathers, Adrean Clark, Kathy Buckley, Sean Forbes, Mark Levin, Kevin DeSilva, Ann Meehan, CJ Jones, Tina Childress, Ron Cuartero, Jay Blumenfeld and Howard Rosenblum.
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  1. Print length
    132 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    January 7, 2014
  5. File size
    888 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Readers will find this book inspirational and informative as well as entertaining to read. For those considering their possibilities for the future, which at this time in history offers almost limitless possibilities, this book aims to share a positive message: with patience and persistence, deaf and hard of hearing people can do anything!"Dr. Glenn Anderson, Department of Counseling, Adult and Rehabilitation EducationUniversity of Arkansas

About the Author

Karen Putz was born with normal hearing and began losing her hearing as a young child. She became deaf from a fall while barefoot water skiing as a teen. Karen is the mom of three deaf and hard of hearing children. Karen blogs at ChicagoNow, Hearing Like Me and at her personal blog, A Deaf Mom Shares Her World.  Karen works as a Passion Coach and is the Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infusion at Hands & Voices.  She is also a HearStrong Champion and a contributing writer for WaterSki and Water Skier magazines.  

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00DDG3460
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Barefoot Publications
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 7, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 888 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 132 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

About the author

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Karen Putz

Karen Putz

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Karen Putz is a mom, international speaker, Mindvalley Life Coach, and Passion Mentor. She specializes in helping others unwrap the gift of passion to create more joy, fun, and adventure in their lives--after all, there's no sense in playing life too small. Connect with Karen at The Passion School at yourpassionschool.com.

Karen was born with normal hearing and grew up hard of hearing. She became deaf from a fall while barefoot water skiing as a teen. At the age of 44, she put her feet back on the water. She worked and trained with the World Barefoot champions and skied competitively for four years.

Karen has been featured on the TODAY Show, CNN, O magazine, MORE magazine, espnW, AARP, and the Chicago Tribune.

For fun, she is currently on a quest to barefoot water ski in all 50 states.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
22 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's writing quality, finding it well written and easy to read. The book features diverse stories about deaf and hard of hearing people, with one customer noting it includes accounts from 20+ individuals.

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Diversity of storiesWriting quality
6 customers mention "Diversity of stories"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the diversity of stories in the book, with one review highlighting how it showcases various cultures within the deaf and hard of hearing community, while another notes it includes stories from 20+ individuals.

"This is a book that includes stories about 20+ DHH people...." Read more

"...Her writing is fluid and her subjects are fascinating. The book shines a greater light on the issue of living with hearing loss." Read more

"...Love the fact that there are such diverse cultures within the deaf and hard of hearing community...." Read more

"I liked the wide variety of passions & accomplishments of the people presented in this wool. The chapters are short and easy to read!" Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written, with one customer noting its fluid writing style and another mentioning it is easy to read.

"...Her writing is fluid and her subjects are fascinating. The book shines a greater light on the issue of living with hearing loss." Read more

"This book was well written and I actually learned some things about some of these folks that I thought I knew already...." Read more

"...The chapters are short and easy to read!" Read more

"...I found the book to be well written and I would recommend it especially for deaf people who need role models, espically deaf kids." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Turi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read about Successful People who happen to be Deaf
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is a book that includes stories about 20+ DHH people. This is a wonderful book that led me down the path to learn more about each person profiled.
    This is a book families can read together about a different person each night, reminding our kids that the sky is the limit. There is a race car driver, mountain climber, real estate agent and body builder, to name a few. Once again, a great read.
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  • Gael Hannan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Finding Passion Beyond Disability- A Must Read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    To read The Passionate Lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing People by Karen Putz, is to understand that disability is not the sum total, the sole definition, of a human being. Even today, in the so-called information age, we tend to categorize people by some noticeable trait or disability, and make assumptions about who that person is. Karen's mini-biographies of an eclectic group of people goes beyond these barriers. Her writing is fluid and her subjects are fascinating. The book shines a greater light on the issue of living with hearing loss.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Denise Portis from Hearing Elmo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Only one small negative in my opinion
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book was well written and I actually learned some things about some of these folks that I thought I knew already. The ONLY reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that I really believe the culturally Deaf and hard-of-hearing or deaf populations are very different. I think the book would be best if it celebrated the passionate lives of only culturally Deaf folks - so that the Deaf had a book that really champions who they are. Or, a book the celebrates the victorious lives of HoHearies, hearing again, or late-deafened folks - again to give those populations a book that can help them identify with this population. The reality is that hearing loss is the only thing the Deaf and deaf have in common. The problems that both challenge and grow each person are different. Just my two cents.

    Over all, the book did a great job of introducing some fantastic people - both Deaf and deaf. This book might be of good use for any young people who feel overwhelmed by additional challenges, or people who are new to hearing loss and wonder what life can be like after the fact.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ann Sklar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring stories for the deaf and hard of hearing
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Those of us who have lost our hearing late in life often don't realize how many obstacles have been overcome by deaf people in the last few decades. By refusing to let their disabilities limit their options, and expecting reasonable accommodation from our culture, many deaf individuals have been living lives full of satisfactions and accomplishments. A great reminder that our lives don't necessarily have to deteriorate just because we've developed a handicap.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cynthia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Learning about others driven passion.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Oh my goodness, what an awesome book! Love the fact that there are such diverse cultures within the deaf and hard of hearing community. Karen captured that in this book, as every child and teenager in the school setting have something to look forward to. To be able to inspire them as well as the parents. Great read and would recommend to everyone to buy this! I love the diverse group of people you've written about and how you ended it "Now about You..."
    One person found this helpful
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  • Liba
    4.0 out of 5 stars Passionate people with hearing impairments
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the wide variety of passions & accomplishments of the people presented in this wool.

    The chapters are short and easy to read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Sarah Waters
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    There are not many books about successful deaf and hard of hearing people out there. I found the book to be well written and I would recommend it especially for deaf people who need role models, espically deaf kids.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • INTELLIGENT DEAFIE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book... a must read for deaf studies students and people who are interested in deaf culture.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I know several people who are in the book... Yes, it is a great book to show there are deaf role models for deaf or HoH persons...
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Liz
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good book to inspire from
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    There are 23 different people in this book from all different walks of life, all with a hearing loss of some degree, from deaf to hard of hearing. All of them are living full, passionate lives.

    Each one of these people share their stories in this book about their hearing loss in some way, their passions and what they do.

    Karen Putz the author of this book introduces herself and talks about also why she wrote this book. Karen also wraps it up at the end of the book, leaving it on a positive note, reminding us how we are all born with certain gifts, abilities, talents and skills, and how it is up to us how we use them, and not give up what we want.

    I started reading this book when I was personally feeling down, but I picked myself up. I enjoyed reading each and everyone's stories, some I remember coming across at one time through browsing the internet, so learning more about them.

    I especially like Karen Putz last words at the end of the book, something I know I will pick up and read again those words of encouragement.
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