Orchid of the Bayou: A Deaf Woman Faces Blindness

by Cathryn Carroll, Catherine Hoffpauir Fischer

"Mama knew I was 'not right'" Kitty Fischer says of her early childhood in Louisiana. Even though her mother never said it, Kitty knew she meant "deaf and dumb." Her communication difficulties were compounded by the bias her family endured for being Cajun. But Fischer excelled at the Louisiana School for the Deaf, and left her Cajun roots far behind for Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. After graduating and marrying her college sweetheart Lance, a Deaf Jewish man from New York, Kitty settled in, working as a librarian and raising a family. Eventually, though she could no longer ignore her increasing tunnel vision. Doctors quickly confirmed that she had Usher syndrome, a genetic condition that eventually leads to blindness. While Fischer struggled to come to terms with her condition, the high incidence of Usher syndrome among Cajun peoples led her to reexamine and reclaim her cultural heritage. Today Fischer prospers, enjoying her time with family and friends and celebrating the Deaf, Cajun, Blind, and Jewish cultures that shape her life. Her lively story will resonate with anyone who recognizes the arduous journey towards claiming an identity.

Genres: Memoir

253 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2001

Reviews

[Shomeret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several books ago I read Murder on Lexington Avenueby Victoria Thompson and got an overview of the issues involved in deaf education during the Victorian period. In this book I got an update. I am relieved to know that the deaf community won the battle, and signing is now the preferred mode of communication in schools for the deaf. Catherine Fischer shows how this battle over her education affected her. Her account of her life is very touching. I cried when she was diagnosed with Usher syndrome. This means that she is genetically pre-disposed to go blind gradually.

Although Usher's syndrome is relatively rare in the general population, Catherine learned that as many as 10% of Cajuns are born with this condition. Catherine had to research Cajun history and her own family to discover the cause of this problem. She learned that one of her ancestors was called "Le Sourd" which means "the deaf" in French. This also a family surname. I'd be interested in finding out the history of the Le Sourd family.

I found this book to be very readable, compelling and informative.

[Debby Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like this book but it really read like a novel. The only thing I didn't like is how the end wrapped up so quickly. Many parts of her life that would have been interesting to hear for breezed over. She doesn't talk about her blindness until the last 2 chapters, then she hurries and ends the book.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fascinating. I found myself really enjoying hearing about her childhood. She was practically a wild child and it was cool to see how a 'proper' education took her to what she is today.

I kept expecting her parents to be horrible people since they assumed blind also meant dumb but that was simply the thinking back then and you could tell they truly did care for her.

She conquered one disability only to be thrown another and it was an amazing thing to watch her story unfold.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for one of my graduate courses. It's about a deaf-blind girl growing up in Louisiana and how she bloomed from a wild animal into a married woman with college education and a family.