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✍🏾 The Def Familia Blog Is Growing: Meet Our Writers & Contributors Def Familia has always been about more than one person. It’s about family, community, different perspectives, and giving people a place where their voices can be heard — or seen. As the Def Familia Blog continues to grow, I’m proud to introduce the writers and contributors who are helping us take this platform to another level. My sons are becoming young writers themselves, sharing their perspectives on spor

A new NFL season means a fresh start, new expectations, and plenty of excitement for fans everywhere. Whether your team is chasing a championship or rebuilding, there’s always something to look forward to. Watch for your favorite players to make big plays, while young stars look to break out and become the next fan favorites. There will be tough losses and unexpected surprises, but that’s what makes football so exciting. Get ready for big plays, new stars, unforgettable momen

Ball Up at Moody Park 🏀 After spending some time with their Uncle Nass, we stopped by Moody Park before heading home. Of course, once my boys saw the court, they had to get some work in. 🏀💪🏾 No matter where we go, if there’s a basketball court around, they’re ready to hoop. It’s bigger than just playing basketball — every time they touch the court is another opportunity to work, compete, learn and get better. The grind doesn’t always have to happen in a gym. Sometimes you

Family, Basketball & a Moment My Boys Won’t Forget Today my boys and I went to spend some time with their Uncle Nass. We were just vibing, laughing, enjoying family time and making memories together. 🙏🏾❤️ Sometimes it’s the simple moments that mean the most. God is good. After leaving their uncle, I took the boys over to Moody Park. Of course, when we see a basketball court, we have to get some runs in 😂🏀. We played two games, had some fun, and let the boys hoop. After Mo

My boys and I went to visit my brother—their uncle—and spent some time with him. Before heading home, I took the boys to Moody Park, where we played two games. After that, we stopped at Halo Farm to grab some juices and ice cream. While we were waiting in line, I noticed this guy who looked familiar. I’ve seen him at almost every big basketball game around Trenton, especially high school games and over at Cadwalader Park. While I was paying, he walked up to my boys and asked,

Travel Tip #1: Don’t Pay for Your Dominican Republic E-Ticket If you’re traveling to the Dominican Republic for the first time, one of the most important things you’ll need is the Dominican Republic E-Ticket. The good news? It’s 100% FREE. Unfortunately, many travelers end up paying third-party websites because they don’t realize the official E-Ticket doesn’t cost anything. What is the E-Ticket? The Dominican Republic E-Ticket is an online travel form required for everyone en

Why Sosúa? 🇩🇴🌴 This is one of the many reasons we chose Sosúa, Dominican Republic for Players Ball on the Island 2027. Crystal-clear water, beautiful beaches, authentic Dominican culture, and unforgettable experiences all in one destination. I explain exactly why we chose Sosúa over other destinations in my latest blog. 🌐 www.playersballontheisland.com Would you vacation here? Tell me yes or no in the comments!

For years, my brother kept telling me, “Get your passport.” He had been traveling to Sosúa, Dominican Republic, and every time we talked, he’d ask if I finally got one. As a single father raising three boys, it wasn’t that simple. My children always came first, so I kept putting it off. For two or three years straight, my brother stayed on me about getting my passport. As my boys got a little older, I finally decided it was time. I got my passport, called my brother, and we i

🌴 Exciting Updates from the Dominican Republic! Hello Def Familia Family, First, I want to personally thank everyone who has joined the Players Ball on the Island 2027 waitlist! Your support means a lot, and I’m truly excited to share this journey with you. The planning has been going great, and my excitement grows every day. Over the past few weeks, I’ve built great relationships with local people who actually live in the Dominican Republic. Their support and local know

Yaxel Lendeborg has established himself as one of the most complete players in college basketball. His ability to score at all three levels, dominate the boards, protect the rim, and create opportunities for his teammates makes him a rare all-around talent. Unlike many players who specialize in just one area, Lendeborg consistently impacts every aspect of the game. His combination of size, athleticism, basketball IQ, and relentless effort allows him to take over games on both

What’s the First Thing You Look Forward to When Traveling? Everyone travels for different reasons. Some people can’t wait to relax on the beach. Others are all about trying new food, exploring the culture, enjoying the nightlife, going on adventures, or simply getting away from their everyday routine. For me, traveling is about creating memories, experiencing different cultures, and stepping outside my comfort zone. Every destination has something unique to offer if you’re wi

As the 2026 NBA Draft comes to a close, one question stands above the rest: Which rookie will make the biggest impact? The No. 1 overall pick, BYU star AJ Dybantsa, is the early favorite. His explosive athleticism, aggressive slashing ability, and scoring instincts make him an ideal fit for the Washington Wizards. Another strong contender is Kansas point guard Darren Peterson, whose versatile offensive game and playmaking skills could make him an immediate difference-maker fo

Everyone’s been talking about this year’s rookie class, but Meleek Thomas has quietly been one of the biggest standouts of Summer League. Through his first three games, the No. 34 overall pick has averaged 28.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.3 APG, and 2.3 SPG while shooting 50% from the field and 45.8% from three. He also put together back-to-back performances of 30 and 35 points, showing he can create his own shot, knock down tough jumpers, and make plays for his teammates. While several

If my eyes could speak and tell you the story of my life, you would be speechless by how far I’ve come. From being adopted, to losing my hearing at age six, to losing my first son (who would have turned 21 this October), to losing others I loved. From being mocked because of my deafness, to having my NBA dream taken away. From the lies told about me, to nearly losing my own life before making it to the ER just in time. From being homeless for almost two years, to becoming a s

Never let a job make you feel like you need them more than they need you. If they don’t respect you, refuse to accommodate your needs, or keep putting unnecessary obstacles in your way, don’t put up with their bullshit just because they think you need that paycheck. No one should have the power to make you feel small or undervalued. If they’re not willing to listen to you, appreciate what you bring to the table, or allow you to use the qualifications and skills you worked har

Welcome to the official Def Familia Blog—a place for real conversations, community updates, family, fatherhood, Deaf culture, sports, entertainment, events, travel, and more. This is your space to share your thoughts, support others, and stay connected with everything happening in the Def Familia movement. Sign in, explore the categories, and join the conversation. One vision. One family. One movement.

Always have honest conversations, because lies have a way of coming back and finding you. Stay 100 from the beginning, so you won’t have to answer more questions later. Stay true to yourself.

Our youth basketball and community programs are designed to develop skills on and off the court—confidence, discipline, teamwork, and leadership—while strengthening families and community connections. Program focus Skill development and fundamentals Mentorship and leadership coaching Family involvement and positive role modeling Community service and giving back Inclusive communication between Deaf and hearing participants For parents and partners We welcome partnerships with

Deaf Passport International is built to unite the Deaf community and supporters through travel, culture, entertainment, and memorable experiences around the world. Here’s a practical guide to planning an accessible group trip—whether you’re traveling within the United States or heading to the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, or other international destinations. Start with the experience (not just the destination) Choose a theme that brings people together: cultural immersion, festi

Mr. Billy Sanders A bit long,but definitely worth read 📖 #WeNeedMoreLikeHim After two decades as a professional interpreter, Sanders has found himself in a perfect position to provide language access at demonstrations across the region — even ones where he’s unfamiliar with the music. He learned ASL out of necessity as a CODA (an acronym used for “Children of Deaf Adults”), but then used it as a tool to get his life on track, and later, to celebrate Black culture and contrib