Tom Bertling

Background

Tom Bertling was born on June 21, 1956 in the United States, into the family of Richard and Josephine (Caputo) Bertling.

Education

Tom attended a residential school for the deaf.

Career

Tom Bertling devoted his career to writing. He also fulfills several projects related to signed languages and deafness; research on American Sign Language and signed English, sexual abuse among the deaf, deaf cultural issues, and astrophysics research.

His primary reason for undertaking the difficult task of writing his books was the simple fact that most of the published material on deafness, in particular deaf culture, deaf education, and American sign language, was either completely biased or simply flat-out wrong. Because he attended a residential school for the deaf and also has a large ‘deaf of deaf family, he felt that he is able to present a perspective on these matters that, until now, were mostly hidden from society in general.

There is a vocal minority (which claims to represent all deaf or hard-of-hearing people) that prefers he keeps quiet about these matters, but they are in fact part of the problem, not the solution. His contribution to society is to continue the process of bringing things out into the open for full public scrutiny.

In the beginning, he was discouraged (by many so- called esteemed deaf leaders) from writing about these emotional and political topics. After the first book, however,he was approached by numerous educators who encouraged him to keep writing and ignore the nay-sayers. A large number of individuals commented that they appreciated his direct, to-the-point style.

Achievements

• Tom Bertling is highly notable for his books "A Child Sacrificed", "No Dignity for Joshua", and "American Sign Language: Shattering the Myth."

Works

More photos

• book

  • A Child Sacrificed to the Deaf Culture 1994
  • No Dignity for Joshua: More Vital Insight into Deaf Children, Deaf Education and Deaf Culture 1997
  • American Sign Language: Shattering the Myth, Essays by Larry G Stewart, Frances M Parsons, Otto J Menzel, Donald F Moores, Patrick W Seamans, Truman W Stelle. 1998

Politics

Tom admits his adherens to Democratic political beliefs.

Views

English is a lifelong learning process for him. He wants to note that it was the late Dr. Otto Menzel (editor of "Life after Deafness") who sped up the process for him. He is greatly indebted to him for making up for the educational shortcomings of his school years.

Interests

• astronomy, astrophysics, physics, architecture, politics, music

Connections

Tom Bertling married Valerie Jo Bemis in August, 1992. They have a common daughter Rikki Sage.

Father:

Richard Bertling

Mother:

Josephine (Caputo) Bertling

Spouse:

Valerie Jo Bemis

Daughter:

Rikki Sage Bertling