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Herald Argus > Archives > News > Local > Church is reaching out to deaf community
Linda Pitmon, an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, said the La Porte Church of Christ is reaching out to the deaf community. She said the team of three interpreters at the church are there to help the deaf communicate with society.
"It's a program where we are trying to combine the community with the deaf community so that we're more of a cohesive group locally," said Pitmon.
Pitmon said the church includes interpreters for potlucks as well as services for the church. She said they are also trying to help the hearing to communicate with the deaf.
Her desire to help the deaf in the community has led her to the hospital, the doctor's office and the dentist's office.
"When they need something, they need somebody to be there to really explain what is going on," said Pitmon.
Pitmon said it is very hard for the deaf to read lips. She said out of every 10 words, they may be able to understand one.
Pitmon also said the deaf's language is very conceptual, as they focus more on ideas rather than grammar.
"You think of every person that talks to you, and you only have one out of every 10 words," said Pitmon. "It's very easy to misinterpret."
Pitmon said although she did not have a background in signing, she began learning ASL by reading books in 1986. She said ever since she began learning, she felt the need to improve.
"Once you learn how to sign, you have a responsibility to that," said Pitmon.
Pitmon said it is important to include the deaf in all of the social events they are able to attend.
Another ASL interpreter for the church who Pitmon taught, Lynette Smith, agrees with the deaf's need to interact in society.
"They do some things differently because they can't hear, but they are no different than any of the rest of us," said Smith.
Smith said they try to make the deaf feel as comfortable as possible in their environment. She said no matter where she is, she feels it is her purpose to help the deaf communicate.
"It's a gift that has been given to us from God that we are able to do this, and so I look at it as it's been given to me and it's been given to me for a purpose," said Smith.
Smith said, as with any language, it is constantly changing over time, and she said the biggest compliment the deaf pay her for her interpretation, is their help teaching her to sign.
"I am constantly learning new signs and new words, and they are there to help me do that," said Smith.
The La Porte Church of Christ is located on 1616 "I" St. For more information, visit Welcome to The Church of Christ - 1616 "I" Street La Porte, IN 46350 and click on the deaf signing link toward the bottom of the page.
Linda Pitmon, an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, said the La Porte Church of Christ is reaching out to the deaf community. She said the team of three interpreters at the church are there to help the deaf communicate with society.
"It's a program where we are trying to combine the community with the deaf community so that we're more of a cohesive group locally," said Pitmon.
Pitmon said the church includes interpreters for potlucks as well as services for the church. She said they are also trying to help the hearing to communicate with the deaf.
Her desire to help the deaf in the community has led her to the hospital, the doctor's office and the dentist's office.
"When they need something, they need somebody to be there to really explain what is going on," said Pitmon.
Pitmon said it is very hard for the deaf to read lips. She said out of every 10 words, they may be able to understand one.
Pitmon also said the deaf's language is very conceptual, as they focus more on ideas rather than grammar.
"You think of every person that talks to you, and you only have one out of every 10 words," said Pitmon. "It's very easy to misinterpret."
Pitmon said although she did not have a background in signing, she began learning ASL by reading books in 1986. She said ever since she began learning, she felt the need to improve.
"Once you learn how to sign, you have a responsibility to that," said Pitmon.
Pitmon said it is important to include the deaf in all of the social events they are able to attend.
Another ASL interpreter for the church who Pitmon taught, Lynette Smith, agrees with the deaf's need to interact in society.
"They do some things differently because they can't hear, but they are no different than any of the rest of us," said Smith.
Smith said they try to make the deaf feel as comfortable as possible in their environment. She said no matter where she is, she feels it is her purpose to help the deaf communicate.
"It's a gift that has been given to us from God that we are able to do this, and so I look at it as it's been given to me and it's been given to me for a purpose," said Smith.
Smith said, as with any language, it is constantly changing over time, and she said the biggest compliment the deaf pay her for her interpretation, is their help teaching her to sign.
"I am constantly learning new signs and new words, and they are there to help me do that," said Smith.
The La Porte Church of Christ is located on 1616 "I" St. For more information, visit Welcome to The Church of Christ - 1616 "I" Street La Porte, IN 46350 and click on the deaf signing link toward the bottom of the page.