Growing Up with Deaf Parents and a Love of Music
As many of you know, I grew up with deaf parents, Viv and Joe. They led uniquely independent, extraordinary lives and blew everyone away with their strength, wisdom, and sense of humor. Though they have both passed, they still hold the top spots as the most inspirational and supportive energies in my life.
In honor of Father’s Day, I’d like to thank Joe for being my biggest cheerleader (notice the hat. 😊), and for giving me my lifelong love of music.
While my mother was responsible for keeping me in dance classes, I inherited my sense of rhythm from my Dad. As long as the music had a strong beat, he could dance to it. If you opened his car door at any moment, chances are you’d be blasted with Michael Jackson.
People often wonder whether deaf people can enjoy music. The answer is a resounding yes. My parents may not have heard every nuance of a song, but they could feel the vibrations. They could see the rhythm in the way people moved. The funkier the music, the better. In my heart, we continue to shake it up every time the music starts.Â
On another note,
there is a trait I hope and pray that I do not inherit from my Dad’s genetic pool…
My Dad, Joe Carrico, with his six spunky sisters, Circa 1942.
The Family History I Hope Not to Inherit
At age 85, my Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Because he had an excellent support system and he was in good physical health, it was a slower progression for him. I am beyond thankful that my Dad still knew who I was when he passed at age 92.Â
My Dad and aunts were healthy, smart, funny, and accomplished people. Unfortunately, my Dad wasn’t alone in his diagnosis. Five of the seven Carrico siblings eventually developed a form of dementia.
While I’d like to say this unlucky genetic detail is unique to our family tree, it’s not. Studies show that 1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 10 men will incur a form of dementia (Sorry, ladies!).
Genetics and age are two of the non-controllable reasons people contract Alzheimer’s. But I am doing everything in my power to fight this debilitating disease, and my goal is to help friends in our community fight it as well.Â
Why Dance Fitness Is a Quadruple Threat for Brain Health
As a fan of destiny-based energy, I am “moved” (pun intended) that Mojo happens to be uniquely aligned with many of the lifestyle habits associated with better brain health.
Neurologists often describe dance fitness as a powerful combination of cardio, cognition, and community. Every Mojo class challenges us to elevate our heart rate, remember patterns, react to music, make split-second decisions, and coordinate multiple body parts at once.
Add in our resilient 17-year-old Mojo community, and we’ve already checked off four of the six lifestyle habits linked to better brain health: movement, connection, learning, and cardiovascular health.
And while we don’t sleep in class, regular exercise has been shown to improve sleep quality, so you could argue we’re helping with number five, too. 😉
What We Can Control and What We Can’t
Does doing all these things guarantee that I avoid Alzheimer’s? Unfortunately, no.
I can’t control the genes I inherited. But if there is one lesson I’ve learned from my family’s journey, it’s to keep showing up and doing my best to care for the remarkable brain, and life, I’ve been given.
We may not be able to choose our DNA, but we can choose what we do with each day.
In honor of Father’s Day, check out this You Tube Link of this Dad. He is at high risk for Alzheimers, and talks about the advantages of dance fitness, so he is “helping his brain by breaking it down” with his wife in class. This  is a husband and wife team and they are a HOOT. Click here to check out their Instagram feed.Â
Btw, he’s got nothing on us! We’d love to get more brave guys to join us.
Share this post and help us spread the word! 💚
Just one more reason to keep jamming it OUT with us this week!Â
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