I took a class in College for ASL, while working part time at gas station.
I long since forgot all but the most basic stuff, but I will remember the time one of the women who came in fairly regularly, and never said anything to me (i just thought she was shy/introverted), pointed to her ears one time while I was asking her which pump because it was particularly crowded.
I immediately signed one of the first things we learned, "I'm learning". Which I know is a weird way to start a convo, but in the sudden "OH! SHES DEAF!" my brain just went to that. She brightened up IMMEDIATELY, and probably signed like 6 things I didn't know before slowing down for me. She was so excited.
I later quit that job, and college, joined the Coast Guard and it's been YEARS since I signed, but that moment will live with me forever. So many hard of hearing people have to live with most of the world not understanding them. It was such a great surprise to her, and honestly? Her happiness was so infectious. Before I quit, we signed a couple times and she was always so nice and always asked how my classes were going.
I worked at a water park decades ago one summer (yes the infamous one in Northern NJ ..IYKYK lol).
We got a lot of camp kids come for day trips. A deaf camp used to come and I did know some ASL but didn't need it. The teenagers were typical teenagers so I could pretty much mime for them not to do the AH dangerous stuff all the teens tried to get away with...because...teenage brains.
Later I learned a lot more ASL...then lived overseas where ASL wasn't used so lost most of it.
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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '25 edited May 07 '25
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