Delani Huntoon

I have worked for The Home Depot for over 28 years. I have held and maintained a license to operate a Fork Lift, Slip Sheet, OP, Lift Truck for over 27 of those years.

I have 5 children aging from 15-31 years old. I have had children on IEP's for over 25 years.

I am Vice-Chair for Michigan Hands & Voices, as well as being a Astra Advocate and was Guide By Your Side for this organization. I have been to many conferences over the years learning about Deaf/HH, Deaf Plus , Deaf Blind. I have also been a speaker at 3 conferences.

As a GBYS I met with many families, this job had children with various disabilities as well as hearing loss being one of them. I have cultivated positive relationship with these families and helped them with information that I was able to find to help them along their family journey.

As a ASTra Advocate my Job has been to support families to become the best advocate that they can be for their children through education and research of resources available.

Children have always been part of my life. From working in the church nursery to babysitting when I was 12 years old. I was planning on going into teaching. When I was in high school I taught 1st grade with a teacher advisor. I had 5 students that were struggling to keep up with the curriculum. I actively researched how to help them learn in their own way. through a lot of hard work and determination on all of our parts they where able to achieve the goals that were set out for them by the end of the school year.

Life had other plans and I was not able to complete the Teaching program that I was going for.

I was also a certified Nanny for 2 years. One of my Clients children was deprived of oxygen for a prolonged time during birth. This came with a long list of complications. I strive to listen to understand, even when the child/person does not have a typical form of communication. I was able to bring the glitter out in their eyes when interacting with them. talking with them asking them questions pausing for a response. asking their opinion on food choices. Their parents did not even know the child good respond the way their child learned to do in their own way.

I have many life experiences where i have interacted with children and adults with various disabilities.

I am a firm believer in supporting children to become a fully active member of society to the best of their ability, whatever that may look like for that individual.