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Karlie Waldrip is an extraordinary individual and the author of beloved children’s picture books, including I Deaf-initely Can and We Deaf-initely Can: Let the Adventures Begin. Both books feature Karlie’s heartwarming bond with her deaf dog, Rhett, and share inspiring messages for readers of all ages.
We’re thrilled to spotlight Karlie’s journey as an author and the passion behind her work. Her life is a magical story filled with perseverance, creativity, and love.
This blog features a unique twist on our Q&A format: videos of Karlie signing her answers! For those who prefer reading, we’ve also included written translations.
Don’t forget to check back in January 2025 for Part 3 of our conversation with Karlie!
In Part 1 of this blog, the delightful Karlie Waldrip responds to our interview questions in ASL, bringing her experiences to life on video. For your convenience, I’ve translated her responses into written English. The first two videos feature sign language only, offering a unique opportunity to focus on ASL as a visual language. In the remaining videos, Karlie uses SimCom (simultaneous communication), signing and speaking at the same time, to share her story. In response to our question on raising her hearing daughter, Karlie tells us how their family bridges the Deaf and hearing worlds, offering valuable lessons for all audiences.
Enjoy!
Kathleen, ASL Picture Books (ASLPB): Karlie, we have the same name sign! I attended ASL Week at Mt. Holley. There were two Kathys in the group, and I received my name sign because my hair was curly. Do you remember when you were given your name sign?
I don't remember when I received my name sign. But my dad, who is hard-of-hearing, gave me the sign name for my curly hair. My hair is long and curly. Using the letter K from Karlie shows my curly hair.
ASLPB: You were born Deaf and grew up in a mainstream school in Texas. Can you share your experiences with mainstream schools? How were your relationships with your hearing classmates, and were they learning ASL with you?
Karlie Waldrip: I went to a mainstream school with a d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing program. I started in first grade and went all the way through graduation. I was VERY shy, and I rarely talked with my classmates. In middle school and high school, I was very quiet; I was just focused on school. I had a few classmates I talked with, but mostly, I was quiet with my classmates. Hard-of-hearing friend: I think in a few classes I had, we would sign before school and at lunch. In a few classes, I had deaf and hard-of-hearing friends. I was really involved in sports; I played volleyball. However, I did not socialize with my teammates. I played water polo. Future Farmers of America showed us how to raise sheep. I went to Showtime with three other DHH friends. It was a really good experience to have deaf friends join me.
ASLPB: Our families are often our first exposures to language and connection. Can you tell us a little about your background and your upbringing? Do you have any d/Deaf or signing family members?
Karlie Waldrip: I was born Deaf. My parents didn’t find out I was Deaf until I was about ten months old. The doctors told my parents to teach their daughter how to sign or how to talk—one or the other, not both. So my parents [said], “well, let's try the talking route.” So I got my first pair of hearing aids at a year old and just went with speech therapy. We had someone come to the house to help my parents develop my language. It really took a whole village to raise me.
I went to a school that had a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing program. I started in the oral route. Later, I think in the second grade (I started in first grade)...a Deaf boy came into my classroom. He had an interpreter! I was fascinated, I watched and I wanted to learn sign language, too. I realized as I was learning that I understood more what was going on in class. So I told my parents there was an interpreter in my classroom for this Deaf boy.
I [was] picking it up and understanding so much more, and my parents [said,] “Okay. Well, let's have a meeting and set up an interpreter for you, too.”
I was so excited, and from then on out, I had an interpreter in all my classes through college. I have always had an interpreter. So, I had the wonderful support of my family and teachers, and you know, interpreters. They have all been so amazing. You really can’t do this alone. You have to have a village of all supporters, really listening to your child to notice what they need. And every child is different. There is a wide spectrum of Deafness and just finding what they need. There are so many accommodations out there, and just finding what works best.
My dad is actually hard of hearing, so he learned sign language through work. He was one of the d/Deaf post office workers. So my dad would learn sign language. He would teach me while I was young before he knew fluent sign language. He would teach me the basics he learned from work. My sister and my mom are hearing. My sister, she knows some sign language. My mom, she knows the basics.
ASLPB: I see you have a cochlear implant, which I saw in one of your Instagram posts. Please tell us about your journey toward getting it.
Karlie Waldrip: Yes, so I have two cochlear implants. I got my first one when I was nine years old and my second implant when I was eighteen. I used to have hearing aids, but my hearing has gotten worse.
I was getting frustrated because I wanted to be part of both worlds, you know, the hearing world and the Deaf world, because I sign. With the hearing world, I was just constantly frustrated. With my hearing aids, I just couldn't understand anything. So, I asked my mom and dad: I wanted to try having a cochlear implant. I want to see if that would help me. My parents went on with all the paperwork. We met with the audiologists. We talked about it. I had the surgery when I was nine. Recovery was long. It took a long time for my brain to recognize what sound is what. It was not just an instant with the implant, [like,] “Oh, wow, I can hear. I can understand everything,” It was not like that. It takes time.
It really takes time for your brain to learn what each sound is, each voice. It was a lot of work, and it really takes a village, you know, to move with the cochlear implant. I am really thankful because I put a lot of work into it. And understand that the cochlear implant is not for everyone. I think it helped me that I already had hearing aids before my cochlear implant.
So, when I was nine years old, I had an implant and a hearing aid. When I turned eighteen, it was literally two days before my senior year I got my second implant. And the recovery was much better. Technology, you know, has gotten better. So, I was eighteen. It still took time to move ahead; I took time to balance, and I [was] so used to having a hearing aid. So, at eighteen, I was bilaterally implanted, and it took time to get used to having both implanted. It was like sounds were robotic at first. Over time, it kind of goes away. I am still learning the different sounds. I will ask, “What is that sound?” So, It does not fix my hearing. I am still Deaf; I have implants, but I am still Deaf. When I have them off, I can’t hear a thing.
ASLPB: You and your husband, Jaron, share a heartwarming story. How did your paths cross, and what sparked his interest in learning ASL to communicate with you?
Karlie Waldrip: I met my husband, Jaron, through a mutual friend at Texas State University during my sophomore year. We would always hang out. I was like, I really like him, and after a year of really liking him, getting to know him from just hanging out, I finally worked up the courage to tell him, “Hey, I really like you.” Things progressed from there after a year.
He had never met a d/Deaf person, so I kind of got him used to learning what it’s like, you know, dating this d/Deaf girl. He has been so amazing and patient, and he has learned to sign. I do talk and sign, and he has been so understanding and supportive if I get frustrated. Or if I can’t understand something, he is always like, “Hey, this is what they said,” or “This is what is going on.” He always takes the time to explain instead of, “Oh, never mind. I will tell you later.” He doesn't do that. It is amazing having a supportive husband. Growing up, I always had that thought that a hearing guy would never want to date or marry a d/Deaf girl. I always felt like a burden. So he has changed that mindset for me. So, I am really thankful for his patience and for being an amazing supporter.
ASLPB: Can you tell us about your dog, Rhett? And how fun was the Miss Dog Mom pageant?
Karlie Waldrip: I adopted Rhett from the animal shelter. Really, I had a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) teacher who had a deaf therapy dog, so growing up I always wanted to adopt a deaf dog, Deaf like me. After my first year of teaching as Deaf Ed I was ready to adopt a deaf dog. One of my co-workers saw Rhett, a picture of Rhett at a shelter, and he was deaf. She sent me a picture. I said I had to meet him. So, I met him. And you know, the interaction was good. One of the volunteers was like, “Oh my gosh, you guys are like a match made in heaven.”
So after that, my parents are like, “Wait, you know, this is your first dog, your responsibility.” Like, my parents were not used to having big dog; we always had small dogs. I also wanted to respect them because I was living with them at the time. So we talked and after like two or three days we finally like, my parents, said yes, go ahead and adopt him. So I brought him back home five days after. And I have had Rhett for five years now. I adopted him when he was a year at the shelter. And it has been such a fun journey.
He goes everywhere with me. He is literally my shadow. He is always right there. He is always watching for me, to do what I am doing rather than playing with his toys. He really doesn't play with toys or bones. He just wants to protect me, do whatever I am doing, but he follows me everywhere. So, really, he, Rhett, is really my best friend.
They reached out to us for the Miss [Mom] Dog pageant. That was so much fun. I think there were 15 other ladies with their dogs, so we had to dress up. We had to. It was all virtually. It was during COVID. So, at home, we would have a camera [and] we would dress up. We would have to walk in the hall, in the house and everything. It was so much fun. I think we placed third, so it was a really cool experience.
Stay tuned for Part 3 of our interview with Karlie, which will come out in
January 2025!
Coming January 2025!
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Melody Gibson is a writer and editor based in New York State. She has bachelor’s degrees in both communications and graphic design. Melody became enchanted by picture books when she had her son and started reading to him as a baby. She writes about children’s literature, family relationships, special needs advocacy, child development, and more.
Kathleen Marcath, the founder of ASLPictureBooks.com and author of "My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me," is a passionate advocate for bilingual education and ASL literacy, holding a bachelor's degree in Deaf Community Studies. Inspired by the need for inclusive children's books, she created a picture book where characters use sign language on each page, promoting the limitless potential of ASL for d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing and curious children.
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