Constant availability is not childhood.

Written By Stephanie Todd

CODA series

Symbolic photograph: A small stuffed dog sits on a carpeted floor next to a smartphone displaying an incoming call screen. The light is gentle and warm. No people are shown.

In everyday life, expectations can settle into roles without being spoken.

For some CODA children, being “on call” becomes an unspoken part of daily life.

Constant availability is not childhood.

Childhood should hold rest, not constant readiness.

This reflection comes from my perspective as a Deaf parent, shaped by listening to CODA voices and stories over time.

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Stephanie Todd
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Emergency access is a professional responsibility, not a childhood duty.