Thursday, May 1, 2008 - How I Fell in Love with Sign Language
This is a writing assignment that I had to do for my Creative Writing class at our co-op.
How I Fell in Love With Sign Language
Many people do not know that when I was born I was practically deaf. I have always been extremely interested in learning sign language and being able to teach it to other people. I also want to be able to use sign language in my community in order to communicate more effectively.
After reading brochures for summer camp my family and I decided that I would probably get more experience with learning sign language by going to a camp that specializes in it. I chose to go to Aldersgate Camp in Ravenna, KY because they have students who are deaf that attend and the counselors that work there communicate through signing and with the hearing students. I had so much fun the first year I went there even though I was extremely nervous. I began to realize how much sign language is not recognized in the real world. I also gained a love for signing and the strong desire to help people in the world who are deaf and sometimes cannot communicate because no one else understands them.
In my church I have done worship songs in sign language. Not many of the church members, probably none, understood the signing but they were happy that I was sharing what I had learned; of course, we had music playing so they knew the words from hearing the songs. This was a fun experience and I have shared song in sign several times since then. I also have done songs in sign while I was attending camp in the summertime.
I think I would enjoy going to college to study Deaf Studies or Interpretation so I could work in the that field. By doing this, I would be able to minister to the deaf community, get paid for it, and be an asset to many branches of the government and in society as well. My mom and I have looked into the course requirements for both fields of study and I think either one would be suitable for my interests.
Ultimately, I feel as though God gave me partial deafness as a gift. I have learned that many deaf or hard of hearing people do not go to church because they do not feel "included" in the worship. I think this is a sad thing! Signing is and has been a way that I have learned to communicate and also a way that I can minister to others as well. By learning more about signing it can be my gift back to God and praising Him for all He has given to me.
WOW! That is cool that you are diving onto learning sign language. :) I started wanting to learn sign when I was on a fairy and this girl who spoke French came up to me and started talking. I had no idea what she was saying so we kinda did sign language. It is such a cool thing to talk to someone in that special language. :) Keep it up! Going to a collage that specializes in that would be a good idea.
Thank you for the complement. :)
I took sign language for a little while, but then I went into other forms of service. I worked at a therapeutic riding center for a while. Now I just do writing. Lol.
Really cool post! I met a guy at a hschool conference that signed really well--it wasn't a big surprise, though--his dad was deaf. But the cool thing was, he'd just picked signing up over the years from seeing people do it so much.
Hey Kelsey, that's really cool! Actually, one of my friends is signing at my concert this weekend. So that was really neat to be able to read your blog about it.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers. I wouldn't be able to make it with out my heavenly Father.
Please keep praying for us, we really need it. When we get to heaven, I'll introduce you to my wonderful daddy. ^_^
Wow... I never thought about sign language in other languages. That would be cool. But wouldn't it get confusing to know so many hand signs in a lot of languages?
I'm in sign language, too and have also met some deaf people! Because it's at my church, we've also performed a lot of songs in sign language. I like your template (again). It looks different from the last time I was here.
Thank you for your comment! ^_^ Ooo! I love the song Better Is One Day. I should go and add it to my music on my blog. Your words were so encouraging. I love my comments I get from you. Philippians 4:13 is on of my favorite verses. ^_^ Thanks you reminding me of that. ^_^
How interesting that you were born practically deaf and can still interpret. How are you able to hear people from behind your back and still interpret? I've been an interpretor for 14 years now. Have perfect hearing, yet still can't always hear people enunciate properly enough to interpret what they are saying. Did you not have the opportunity to learn sign language when you were a toddler? There are schools for deaf children so they can learn at a very young age and they're free.
I love meeting new people and usually get along with everyone that I meet. I love listening to music and blogging. I am a Christian and enjoy going to my church. I have been home schooled for 2 yrs. but went to public school before then.
I love meeting new people and usually get along with everyone that I meet. I love listening to music and blogging. I am a Christian and enjoy going to my church. I have been home schooled for 2 yrs. but went to public school before then.