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Signing Santa greets deaf children at Westchester Mall | LoHud.com | The Journal News
Holly Marschke has met Santa Claus before, but she never got to tell him what she wanted for Christmas.
The Irvington girl finally got to share her wish list with him on Sunday.
The 10-year-old, who is deaf, used sign language to ask Santa for a Nintendo Wii and the video game, Rock Band.
"I love the holidays, and Santa can sign," she said in sign language as her mother, Debbie, interpreted.
"It's a challenge for her being in a hearing world and we continue to expose her to deaf culture and clubs," her mother explained. "It's important because she is part of both worlds."
Santa conversed in American Sign Language with children and parents at the Westchester Mall in an event organized by Esperance For All, a Brooklyn-based not-for-profit.
Founder Margaret Doheny said in coming up with the idea she thought of children who are excluded.
"Your dream is to tell Santa your wishes. Every kid thinks if they can't tell Santa their wishes they don't come true. They feel left out." Margaret Doheny said. "It's a simple thought: bringing Santa into children's lives."
Amy Sincoff-Tamiso's husband dressed up as Santa and took photos with the children.
"It is the first time (children) can see a deaf Santa Claus who can sign," Sincoff-Tamiso, of Mamaroneck, said through an interpreter. "Communication is an important part of the deaf culture. We hope to make it a tradition every year."
Roxanna Aguilo of the Bronx dressed up as Santa's elf and brought her three children.
"Not a lot of people think deaf people can dress up and become Santa Claus," she said through an interpreter. "It's something different for kids to see."
Her daughter, Frenchetta Aguilo, said her 3-year-old brother Joffred, who is not deaf, got to sign to Santa for the first time.
"It's a different view for him," Frenchetta said. "He can use his first language with Santa Claus."
Holly Marschke has met Santa Claus before, but she never got to tell him what she wanted for Christmas.
The Irvington girl finally got to share her wish list with him on Sunday.
The 10-year-old, who is deaf, used sign language to ask Santa for a Nintendo Wii and the video game, Rock Band.
"I love the holidays, and Santa can sign," she said in sign language as her mother, Debbie, interpreted.
"It's a challenge for her being in a hearing world and we continue to expose her to deaf culture and clubs," her mother explained. "It's important because she is part of both worlds."
Santa conversed in American Sign Language with children and parents at the Westchester Mall in an event organized by Esperance For All, a Brooklyn-based not-for-profit.
Founder Margaret Doheny said in coming up with the idea she thought of children who are excluded.
"Your dream is to tell Santa your wishes. Every kid thinks if they can't tell Santa their wishes they don't come true. They feel left out." Margaret Doheny said. "It's a simple thought: bringing Santa into children's lives."
Amy Sincoff-Tamiso's husband dressed up as Santa and took photos with the children.
"It is the first time (children) can see a deaf Santa Claus who can sign," Sincoff-Tamiso, of Mamaroneck, said through an interpreter. "Communication is an important part of the deaf culture. We hope to make it a tradition every year."
Roxanna Aguilo of the Bronx dressed up as Santa's elf and brought her three children.
"Not a lot of people think deaf people can dress up and become Santa Claus," she said through an interpreter. "It's something different for kids to see."
Her daughter, Frenchetta Aguilo, said her 3-year-old brother Joffred, who is not deaf, got to sign to Santa for the first time.
"It's a different view for him," Frenchetta said. "He can use his first language with Santa Claus."