HELLO!!Thank you for accepting me

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ChristiB

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I am "HEARING" and I had no experience with ASL until Sept. 26,2011. When I started an ASL class @ C.C.C. in Salem, Ore. I did know the alphabet, (learned that in the 6th grade.) but other than that I knew nothing. I love it! it has been a challenge for me to learn to "read" other peoples signing..because they go soooo FAST!! But I know if I can learn all that I have so far, I will eventually get better!! I went to a 'Jesus Northwest' concert thing in 1985, and a couple of groups had interprators on the stage with them, they made me weep! they were sooo beautiful! I assume I had a good voice at one time, because my last 3 yrs in high school I had a solo in EVERY concert. AFTER I graduated I had my tonsills removed and I can no longer carry a tune...my voice is gone...so when I saw these women signing at these concerts I thought: that is what I want to do..I want to be able to sign good enough to sing to God in sign, with great passion and love for him like I did when I could sing using my voice. I don't know if anyone understands that...and I just would love to immerse my life into helping the deaf culture as much as I possibly am able to!! In this first year of learning I am amazed at how vast and deep this language is!! I have found that if I spend the rest of my life learning ASL that when I die I still will not have learned ALL there is to know about ASL!!! :shock:SINCERELY, THANK YOU, CHRISTIB :wave:
 
ChristiB said:
I am "HEARING" and I had no experience with ASL until Sept. 26,2011. When I started an ASL class @ C.C.C. in Salem, Ore. I did know the alphabet, (learned that in the 6th grade.) but other than that I knew nothing. I love it! it has been a challenge for me to learn to "read" other peoples signing..because they go soooo FAST!! But I know if I can learn all that I have so far, I will eventually get better!! I went to a 'Jesus Northwest' concert thing in 1985, and a couple of groups had interprators on the stage with them, they made me weep! they were sooo beautiful! I assume I had a good voice at one time, because my last 3 yrs in high school I had a solo in EVERY concert. AFTER I graduated I had my tonsills removed and I can no longer carry a tune...my voice is gone...so when I saw these women signing at these concerts I thought: that is what I want to do..I want to be able to sign good enough to sing to God in sign, with great passion and love for him like I did when I could sing using my voice. I don't know if anyone understands that...and I just would love to immerse my life into helping the deaf culture as much as I possibly am able to!! In this first year of learning I am amazed at how vast and deep this language is!! I have found that if I spend the rest of my life learning ASL that when I die I still will not have learned ALL there is to know about ASL!!! :shock:SINCERELY, THANK YOU, CHRISTIB :wave:
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How did you want to help deaf culture?
 
Wow that's pretty intense.
I just started learning in Sept 2012 so I think that's pretty awesome that you've stuck with learning ASL for so long. :)
Although I'll agree with the thought about never learning all that there is to know. :)
 
I was in a state office one time and a deaf woman was trying to communicate with the receptionist. They ended up having to write back and forth. Nothing could be done because no one knew any form of sign language. The second experience I had was on a boat in Alaska, a girl worked on there with me. A VERY HARD worker. I only knew the alphabet at the time so could only spell words to her (slowly at that : ( But "I" was the one who felt helpless...because I knew nothing! And after those two times of not being able to help...I decided I wanted to HELP be their voice where and when ever I was able to. Pity? NO! This girl on the boat didn't need pity, she needed someone who would/could communicate with her! She knew her job..WELL!! She did her job BETTER than some MEN on other shifts!!! she could get her point across too!! BUT...I wish I could have known what I do now(as little as I know) to be able to communicate with her without writing everything or finger spelling every thing. Does that make sense? Or did that kind of answer your question? I want to help in anyway I can! I don't want to just be a BY STANDER ANYMORE OR EVER AGAIN! And I hope I don't ever or haven't offended anyone at all I am just now learning; over this last year. AND there is soooooo much more for me to learn!
 
ChristiB said:
I was in a state office one time and a deaf woman was trying to communicate with the receptionist. They ended up having to write back and forth. Nothing could be done because no one knew any form of sign language. The second experience I had was on a boat in Alaska, a girl worked on there with me. A VERY HARD worker. I only knew the alphabet at the time so could only spell words to her (slowly at that : ( But "I" was the one who felt helpless...because I knew nothing! And after those two times of not being able to help...I decided I wanted to HELP be their voice where and when ever I was able to. Pity? NO! This girl on the boat didn't need pity, she needed someone who would/could communicate with her! She knew her job..WELL!! She did her job BETTER than some MEN on other shifts!!! she could get her point across too!! BUT...I wish I could have known what I do now(as little as I know) to be able to communicate with her without writing everything or finger spelling every thing. Does that make sense? Or did that kind of answer your question? I want to help in anyway I can! I don't want to just be a BY STANDER ANYMORE OR EVER AGAIN! And I hope I don't ever or haven't offended anyone at all I am just now learning; over this last year. AND there is soooooo much more for me to learn!
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There's nothing wrong with using pen and paper or texting to communicate... it works fine.

I get that you want to "help", but be aware that's a fairly patronizing way of seeing things and you'll likely get a lot of backlash about it.

Also, keep in mind that unless you plan on becoming a certified interpreter (and even then) trying to jump in an "rescue" a hearing and deaf person who are communicating via writing is actually invasive (not to mention kind of rude).

While I think it's great that you want to learn ASL- it should be to improve your own ability to communicate with ASLers, not to "help" hoh and deaf people out.
 
Hello ChristiB,
As much as I quite agreed with Anij's assertion. Please don't be 'offended'. Your efforts to 'Help' is truly Appreciated. The suggestion would be for you to consider becoming an Interpreter for the Deaf/Hoh. There are so many resources available for you to browse and find answers to "how to Help" and aim in becoming a certified Interpreter - By searching Alaka 'Commission for the Deaf & Hard of hearing' or Alaska State Regiastry for Interpreters just an idea to assist you.
Hope this answers your questions? Thanks for your motivation and keen interest to HELP and once you get the resources available at your disposal in Alaska, you'll be GLAD you did. Goodluck! Cheers!.
 
ChristiB,
My Apologies for stating the Stata "Alaska", I realized you are from Salem, Oregon.
Then you could researched for same info at Portland, Ore. The error is regretted.
Thanks. Good luck,
 
One thing to keep in mind is that Deaf people are used to difficulties in communication. Just because people are writing back and forth does not mean that the Deaf person needs help. They may be communicating most effectively.

The biggest danger to be aware of is to realize that Deaf people don't "need" help. Or charity. Approaching any group or culture from a "I will rescue you" position is problematic (I'm not implying that you have that mentality).
I don't expect everybody I encounter to know ASL just as I am glad that people from other cultures don't expect me to be fluent in Spanish or Cantonese.

Interpreting might be something to look into.

I wasn't alive in 1985 but I know from experience that interpreters for concerts are amazing. Check out Sweet Honey in the Rock. They are a gospel group that includes an interpreter as one of their members. I saw them when they came to my college and it was amazing.

In conclusion, yay for wanting to learn ASL. Be wary of the deaf people need to be rescued mentality. Enjoy life.
 
hi welcolm. sorry as soon as jesus crops up i freeze...in uk you can go specialised in god stuff so bet is you could in america you more forward than britain with this stuff...if it bsl i could give you god signing book names...if it only god stuff you want then do asl god course they exist
 
hi nice to meet you. I am an asl student in college, and it is my first semester taking a sign langauge course. I hope we can become pals and sign sometime.
 
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