Our Story

We knew there was a high probability that there would be complications during my daughter’s first child’s birth. She wanted the best possible chance for him and braved a natural birth, no medications. He came out blue and not breathing… then a little weak cry. He had all his fingers and toes…but he looked a little different.

Fortunately for us we were informed within days instead of years that he was born with Noonan Syndrome and was deaf.  Many parents we have met waited many years for a diagnosis. So, like every new grandma I went looking for toys that would most benefit his development and our ability to learn to communicate with him. To my complete amazement there were no infant sign language toys either in the large chain stores, the Internet, or even educational stores.

I researched and thought and thought and finally demanded that God just give me the ideal toy for all these families I was representing and I wanted this by the morning! I was tired of thinking about it on my own. I woke up the next morning with a dream of a baby playing with this toy in his crib!

Then life happened and my financial means were terminated.

The Impact

I remember as a Black little girl when I received my first Black doll. I was elated, joyful. It made an impact in my life that there was representation of me in a toy. Prior to this all the dolls were white with blue eyes and somehow I felt “less than” when that was all I was given to play with. Over 90% of hearing parents of deaf children never learn sign language. I believe that if there were educational, tactile, and playful tools for parents to utilize that percentage would be down. His mother and I have managed to learn sign language, but it was difficult even though we were surrounded by a Deaf community that supported our learning.

A phenomenon of “baby talk” DVD’s and classes has grown over the last ten years all across the world. Why? Because children can communicate with sign language before they can talk. Preverbal babies that hear can tell mommy and daddy they want milk not juice once they learn sign language. My grandchildren’s favorite DVD’s are Signing Time. My products would be a perfect complement to these DVD’s. Tactile learning, literally learning with your hands, can and does enhance one’s ability to understand at their own pace. For example, using the My Toy Sign toy Daddy shows the child the sign for “hungry” and then lets the child play with the toy, feeling, touching, and practicing.  An appropriate quote to describe this is, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” — Confucius

Communication can be difficult for children with Autism. Sign language can link the language barrier for children with autism. A great many parents experience success using sign language DVD’s, baby classes, and various therapies for autistic learning and education. All of these educate through visual and audio senses. My products will give them the only hands-on tool in the market.

The smaller population of deaf-blind children can also benefit from a tactile learning tool that they can hold on to and practice for as long as they want while also enjoying the experience of play. To communicate deaf-blind people put their hands over the signer’s hands to feel the shape, movement and location of the fingers.

What We Need & What You Get
Please go to www.Indiegogo.com/mytoyssign  

I need at least $30,200 to get the educational sign language toy patented and manufactured. Presently, I am asking for donations on the first phase of the business plan.  I plan to use social media, a website, my connections with various Deaf organizations and schools, and attending the various sign language festivals to sell the toys.

I have been given this dream as a gift and have no intention of giving up on it. That would be like giving up on me. Your money will not go to waste. Even if I don’t reach my goal, the money will be saved until my goal can be reached. I am resourceful. I will not give up. Someday when you see my signing toys you will be able to say you were part of the start up!

Patent Attorney – $9000

Professional toy designer and manufacturer: 2400 toys manufactured and mailed to US customers – $20,000

Prototype -$750

Health and safety standards – $450

Other Ways You Can Help

Please help me get the word out especially to friends, schools, baby talk classes who practice sign language and make some noise about MY TOYS SIGN campaign. Don’t forget about the share tools: Facebook, Twitter, & More…!

Share what kind of toys you would like to see made.