In this emotional video, a CODA shares the heartbreaking moment she told her deaf mom she had months to live.
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Some moments reshape us quietly, even in the hardest ways. For Maria Gallucci, one of those moments came when she had to interpret for her mom and deliver the devastating news of a terminal diagnosis. Growing up as a child of deaf adults, Maria's story is one of resilience, grief, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to inclusion.

In this conversation, Maria shares how her experiences shaped her purpose-driven career and her new book, Raised in Silence. We discuss grief, family, advocacy, and what it truly means to help others feel seen.

About Maria Gallucci

Maria Gallucci is a multi-award-winning real estate agent and proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). She grew up interpreting for her parents and learned ASL before English. Today, she supports homebuyers from all walks of life, with special focus on the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ communities. She is the founder of Uptown Realty Group, Gallucci Homes, ASL @ Compass Affinity Group, and ASL Realty. She also serves on boards for Rocky Mountain Deaf School, DOVE, and the Colorado Association of the Deaf. Her debut book, Raised in Silence, is a love letter to the Deaf community and a guide for bridging communication gaps.

Connect with Maria:

- https://aslrealty.com/
- https://galluccihomes.com/

Timestamps

00:00 Intro and Maria's life shift moment
06:00 Growing up CODA and interpreting for her parents
17:00 The day she had to tell her mom the diagnosis
27:00 Grief, parenting, and regret
36:00 Advocacy for the Deaf and LGBTQ+ communities
42:00 Why she wrote Raised in Silence
50:00 What Maria would tell her younger self

- child of deaf adults story
- CODA podcast
- Maria Gallucci interview
- deaf and hard of hearing advocacy
- grief and resilience stories
- Raised in Silence book
- inclusive real estate agent
- CODA life experiences
- supporting LGBTQ and deaf communities

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More episodes: http://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/