And this surprises you, why?
Today I had a transforming experience.
I am part of a group called DPRN - Deaf Professional Resource Network. DPRN is made up of a small core group of Deaf professionals who provide services to the Deaf community in the Greater Des Moines Metro area. And for those of you on my friends list who live in REAL metro areas (such as Chicago, Seattle, New York, etc)... shaddup. It's a metro area for US.
At any rate.
We were invited to speak briefly at a meeting with the AEA Leadership group. People who are involved in the AEA working with deaf children statewide were present. Basically, I explained what DPRN was, and that one of our priority areas was assisting with the transition of deaf children between school and "real life." We wanted to offer our services to come and speak to any of their deaf students, or parents of deaf students, or hearing classmates... whoever needed to hear from successful Deaf adults.
Each of us introduced ourselves and explained what our role was, what services we provide. We also explained what our educational backgrounds were; all of us were educated either entirely or primarily in an oral setting.
All four of us discovered ASL at a later age (17-19). All four of us used ASL this afternoon. None of us voiced for ourselves, despite being capable of it.
It hit them in the gut. All four of us are successful Deaf adults (some of us less or more than others). All four of us were educated orally. And all four of us CHOOSE to communicate in American Sign Language.
I have, over the years, chosen more and more to sign rather than speak when given the choice. For some arenas, it's not a good option for me. In court, for example, I want to make absolutely certain the record shows exactly what I am saying, not someone else's interpretation of such.
But when I have the choice... I will choose to Sign.
I am part of a group called DPRN - Deaf Professional Resource Network. DPRN is made up of a small core group of Deaf professionals who provide services to the Deaf community in the Greater Des Moines Metro area. And for those of you on my friends list who live in REAL metro areas (such as Chicago, Seattle, New York, etc)... shaddup. It's a metro area for US.
At any rate.
We were invited to speak briefly at a meeting with the AEA Leadership group. People who are involved in the AEA working with deaf children statewide were present. Basically, I explained what DPRN was, and that one of our priority areas was assisting with the transition of deaf children between school and "real life." We wanted to offer our services to come and speak to any of their deaf students, or parents of deaf students, or hearing classmates... whoever needed to hear from successful Deaf adults.
Each of us introduced ourselves and explained what our role was, what services we provide. We also explained what our educational backgrounds were; all of us were educated either entirely or primarily in an oral setting.
All four of us discovered ASL at a later age (17-19). All four of us used ASL this afternoon. None of us voiced for ourselves, despite being capable of it.
It hit them in the gut. All four of us are successful Deaf adults (some of us less or more than others). All four of us were educated orally. And all four of us CHOOSE to communicate in American Sign Language.
I have, over the years, chosen more and more to sign rather than speak when given the choice. For some arenas, it's not a good option for me. In court, for example, I want to make absolutely certain the record shows exactly what I am saying, not someone else's interpretation of such.
But when I have the choice... I will choose to Sign.