So this past week was my first full week back in college. I am loving my classes. There is quite a bit of homework but, most of it is reasonable. All of my teachers are wonderful. I have already attended 1 Deaf event . It was amazing. I am looking forward to doing another. I am actually going to a Deaf Church tonight, I am a little nervous but excited at the same time. I am picking up ASL fairly fast. I receive better than I can send. ( in other words I understand more than what I can "say").
Some of ASL is easy to remember but some are just a bit harder, just like any other foreign language. Going to Deaf Fest was kind of like being dropped in the middle of a foreign country and being told sink or swim. I dog paddled :) I know enough to say : I am a student, please repeat, Slowly please and a few other key phrases. I was surprised that so many people I know have a family member who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing (HoH), and the family hasn't taken the time to learn ASL. It makes me kind of angry. Everyone has the right to communicate,and I am now more determined than ever to be a bridge when needed. Deaf people should not have be the only ones working to communicate. If you have someone who is HoH or Deaf, Please if they know sign, LEARN SOME. I'm not saying you have to be fluent but its not right to leave them out of the conversation. I am just a student, this is only my second week. The people who I communicated with at Deaf Fest were pleased that I tried, even when it didn't work exactly like I thought.There was lots of encouragement and smiles.
So if you were at Deaf Fest in St. Louis. Thank you.
Some of ASL is easy to remember but some are just a bit harder, just like any other foreign language. Going to Deaf Fest was kind of like being dropped in the middle of a foreign country and being told sink or swim. I dog paddled :) I know enough to say : I am a student, please repeat, Slowly please and a few other key phrases. I was surprised that so many people I know have a family member who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing (HoH), and the family hasn't taken the time to learn ASL. It makes me kind of angry. Everyone has the right to communicate,and I am now more determined than ever to be a bridge when needed. Deaf people should not have be the only ones working to communicate. If you have someone who is HoH or Deaf, Please if they know sign, LEARN SOME. I'm not saying you have to be fluent but its not right to leave them out of the conversation. I am just a student, this is only my second week. The people who I communicated with at Deaf Fest were pleased that I tried, even when it didn't work exactly like I thought.There was lots of encouragement and smiles.
So if you were at Deaf Fest in St. Louis. Thank you.
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