4 minute read
ASL: A Miracle
BY LAURENE SIMMS
In November 2017, I posted a YouTube video sharing some inspiring miracles that led me to write this article. I should start by letting you know that American Sign Language (ASL) is not my native language. Shocking, isn’t it. As a mother of three, with two who are deaf, I’m lucky to have raised my children using ASL.
Growing up oral had me on a journey of being a “failure”. I was one of many deaf children who were labeled “oral failures” because society believed we couldn’t talk. I’ve had my hands and mouth slapped, a classic experience that many others share as well. Ironically enough, even after being labeled a failure, I still managed to get a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska, a Master’s in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College, and a Doctorate in Language, Reading, and Culture, with a minor in Teaching and Teacher Education, from the University of Arizona – that’s some education background for someone who society dubbed as a failure.
Even with that journey, ASL managed to be a part of me. When I was five or six years old, my mother and I could communicate with each other, although the signs were particular to us only. I remember one day Mom and I went to a store to browse, and I noticed a woman and a little girl both signing. Naturally, I was curious. I grabbed her attention, “Mom, look! They’re signing!” Fortunately, Mom took my hand and together, we walked to meet them. As our mothers talked, that girl and I began a lifelong friendship.
Laurene looks on during a student discussion in her classroom.
miles away, the Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD). Eventually, Mom and I visited ISD and I remember being blown away. I was so mesmerized by how many students were signing. Even though I didn’t understand a word, I remember being in complete awe. Quickly, I immersed myself and picked up sign language. I remember just how amazing it was. ASL was a miracle then.
Years later, when I was in high school, I was part of the Big Brother/Big Sister project. I was assigned to a little boy who was maybe four years old. As I signed with him, I noticed he wouldn’t look at
me and instead, kept looking elsewhere. I was determined and kept signing; I tried my best and continued signing with him. Fast forward to when I was teaching after graduating from college tapped me on the shoulder. I didn’t recognize him at first, he was just a very tall guy. Then he signed, “I remember you! You signed to me. I remember! Even though I didn’t look at you, I could still see your signs.” I was stunned. ASL was a miracle then.
Later, I became a mother and when I found out my baby was deaf, I wasn’t sure what to do. How should I communicate? Do I sign to the baby? I asked the father of my baby what we should do and he said, “Go ahead and sign!” He was a deaf person from a multigenerational deaf family. It was so different from how I had been raised, with my hands and mouth being slapped – using the oral approach. So, with that experience, I decided to raise my children differently and signed with them. Today, my three children are all grown, and they all are fluent signers. ASL was a miracle then.
I taught first grade, my favorite level, for many years. Many students would enter my class not knowing any sign language. Some of them didn’t always know how to read and write. I taught them reading and writing in ASL. As time passed from fall into the spring, I loved how the students flourished in reading and writing, because of sign language! ASL was a miracle then. Eventually, I taught college students, most of them didn’t know ASL. Some students might’ve known a few signs, but many of them grew up oral. To teach, I decided to sign with them. I also took the time to sit with them, one-on-one, and I created videos
Laurene (left) pictured among her siblings in 1957.
online for them to practice. Every year, without fail, I would always have graduates visit and thank me for signing in the classroom. Honestly though, they shouldn’t thank me! I reminded them that we should thank ASL, because ASL was a miracle then. And it still is now.
I always look at birds flying, flowers blooming, waves washing ashore, and think about how mysterious they are. They’re all products of nature. Just like signing. I look at my hands; it’s all natural, yet mysterious. There’s no plug to turn on our sign language. There’s no microchip in our hands to help us sign. It’s all on our hands doing the signing, I’m always filled with wonder at that.
Indeed, ASL is a miracle.
Laurene E. Simms is a Professor in the Department of Education at Gallaudet University.
