Snap Shots from the Life of Rachel de Azevedo Coleman

snorkeling in Maui
Rachel snorkeling on a family vacation.

by Linda de Azevedo, Rachel’s Mom

I guess you could say Rachel is right-smack-in-the-middle of our family. Being number five of nine children puts four siblings above her and four below her. However, she did sort-of become the oldest child when her siblings left for college and/or got married. So I guess I could say she fits anywhere and that is how she relates so well to everyone in her life.

When I Googled “middle child”, I found this reference that sounded to me like Rachel!

Middle Child: Middle children have less of a clear-cut role in the family; instead, they often make a place for themselves outside the family, creating a network of close friends, venturing away from the family physically, and breaking the mold intellectually as well.

Cokeville, Wyoming
Riding a horse in Wyoming, around 10th Grade.
Graduation from Bonneville Junior High
Graduation from Junior High. Curly hair was "in" that year.

I was struck with how that could describe Rachel and her place in life and with Signing Time! She has created a worldwide network of friends and family, and she keeps on amazing me with her awards, her awareness, her friendships, her music and acting, and her dedication to making things happen for children of all abilities. She and her husband Aaron, and their amazing daughters, Leah and Lucy, are changing the world with their vision.

These few random snap shots of Rachel growing up might give you a glimpse of the different sides of the Rachel I know.

Chilling waiting for a plane
Waiting for a plane in Hawaii on a winter vacation. Mom (middle), Rachel to the left, sister Rebecca (right of mom) and two of their friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love you and wishing you a Happy Birthday, Rachel! Love, Mom

9 thoughts on “Snap Shots from the Life of Rachel de Azevedo Coleman”

  1. Happy Birthday to you Mom, you gave birth and have raised wonderful children, who have done well in the world, especially Rachel…I am amazed everyday with my hearing 11mo. all because of Signing Time…Thanks for having a wonderful family….

  2. Happy Birthday Rachel! Today happens to be my mom’s birthday as well! I have two perfect, healthy, hearing children who have benefitted from what Signing Time has to offer. I’m so impressed with your story. Your personal experience comes shining through your work. Knowing your story gets me choked up when I hear the beautiful songs on your CDs. You have so much talent and heart and it really comes through in the understanding and depth of your work. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your family. The day you were born is absolutely worthy of the grandest celebration!!

    Warmest Wishes,
    Christine

  3. Hey Rachel, feliz cumpleanos
    hope you have a wnderful day, and your so lucky to have a great family, that love you and are so proud of you.
    Dios te bendiga.

    ps:mi hija can communicate because of u

  4. Rachel,
    I’m not the kind of person who emails complete strangers, nor do I get all jiggly when I see a celebrity, but I am a mom and a grandmother of 4 and want to commend you for being so strong and using that strength to help others.
    My two and a half year old granddaughter, Isabelle was born perfectly healthy and we are thankful for that, but when I went online and discovered your site, I was so excited to introduce her to the world of signing.
    I did not know how to sign, but my 24 year old son knew there were hearing impared children at a camp where he was a counselor for the summers when he was 16 and 17. He decided to learn it on his own to make things easier for them. It was wonderful seeing him help people in situations where a hearing person would get impatient because they couldn’t understand.
    Isabelle began watching your DVD’s on her first birthday and she can now sign almost everything he says and she has the vocabulary of an 8 year old. I too learned to sign (you made it easy for me too :), but sometimes I have to ask her when I forget something.
    Happy birthday, feel good about yourself, because you are truly a giving person.
    Bless you and your entire family,
    Teresa Bonifant

  5. Ken & Mary Ann Fitzpatrick

    Happy Birthday Rachel!!
    We are so proud of you and what you have done for hearing impaired and the hearing communities through Signing Time.

  6. The Anderson Family

    Happy Birthday Rachel!! I pray that you have an amazing day with your family and friends. Blessings for MANY years to come!! =)

  7. Thanks for sharing some footprints from Rachel’s life. The details explain a phenomenal woman that shares her true colors with the world.

  8. hi Rachel i want to thank you for signing time. I have a son that is 2 years old and he is speech delayed. After seeing your videos it was so much easier to communicate with him. He learned the signs very quickly and now says a couple of words thank you so much. he pulls my arm and guides me to the family room and lets me know that he wants to see signing time. i even have a 13 month old daughter that knows how to sign. my school age children know how to communicate with their little brother because they also like seeing your videos.thank you so much for sharing signing time with everyone!!!!!

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