On Saturday, the ASL students went to the FAD, or Fairmont Association of the Deaf. It was a very good learning experience for all of us. Each of us met and talked to at least 5 people during the course of the evening. I met Joan Forman, Jim, James, Regina, Lisa, Jr., Gerald, and Christie at FAD this evening. I enjoyed getting to talk to each of them and get to know a little bit about them. I am very glad that they took the time to talk to me and help me learn and grow as I am trying to learn ASL.
Joan Forman is a sweet lady. I really enjoyed chatting with her. She went to Romney when she was 7 years old. She was sad to go to Romney at first. She wanted to go home. She said her mother wouldn’t let her sign at home, she had to learn to read lips and speak, so once she started school and learned sign language, and then she wanted to be at school. She also talked to me about how there need to be more people who want to interpret, especially for doctors and nurses during doctors visits. I’m sure it is frustrating sometimes trying to find a good interpreter to help during very important circumstances.
Jim is an interpreter. He interprets for students at WVU and Potomac State College. He also freelances on the side when he has time. He is given a car and gas money by the agency he works with to get to Potomac State College. Not too long ago, he hit a bear with the car they gave him to use. The car only had 1,000 miles on it, but it was not damaged too badly. He said he thought he was crazy because he didn’t think he could have really hit a bear. It was a pretty funny story.
James is Ruby’s father and I have met him before at Deaf Bowling League. He is very fun to talk to and very patient with the ASL students. He came to sit down with the ASL students, including me, who were not playing the game LCR. He asked us why we were not playing and we told him we just wanted to watch. Then I asked him why he wasn’t playing and he said because it is boring.
Regina is Ruby’s mother and I have seen her at Deaf Bowling League, but I have never officially met her. She was very nice and helped explain to us how to play LCR.
Lisa was also an interpreter. She now has two children, one is a four year old little girl and the other is a two year old little boy, who I also met. Her son’s name is Jeremiah. They are both hearing. Lisa does not interpret very much anymore because she stays home to take care of and be with her children.
Jr. is Lisa’s husband. He is Deaf and a very nice man. He came over to where the ASL students were sitting to talk to us. He was nice and funny.
I did not get to talk to Gerald or Christie very long, but they were both very nice and patent. Christie’s son just got married last Saturday. She showed us pictures of the wedding. It was very pretty.
I really enjoyed talking to the people at FAD. They were all very nice, fun people and had patience with me as I tried to understand and communicate. I learned a couple new words and was reminded of a few that I had forgotten. Although I did get a little frustrated at time, it was a good learning experience for me, both in sign language and social skills. The times I was the most frustrated were when people would announce things and I couldn’t catch what they were saying because they would sign so fast. I love watching people sign fast because it is such a beautiful language, but it does get frustrating when I can’t understand. It was a very good experience and I really hope I get the chance to go back again sometime to talk to the people I met again.