Reflection Essay: Whitney Sanders (Spreading Deaf Awareness)

When given the opportunity to become a service scholar, I knew exactly where I would volunteer. Bridges, a non-profit organization that focuses on establishing access and inclusion for the deaf and hard of hearing community, has been a part of my life for many years. Their work provides services including, interpreting and classes for anyone who wants to learn ASL. Bridges strives to help individuals reach their fullest potential in life, helping them pass any barriers that they might face as deaf individuals I have been a part of Bridges for the past 5 years and going into doing volunteer work with them, I looked forward to being able to learn more about ASL and encourage others to do the same. Although I am not fluent in ASL, I know enough to be able to comfortably communicate with a deaf person. Every time I am given the opportunity to sign, I learn more about the language and get more confident in my skills. During my time as a volunteer, I helped as a camp counselor for the sign language camp they offer for kids who want to learn sign language. As someone who has been a participant in the camp, it was very interesting to be on the other side of the camp Throughout the week the kids learned ASL and about the deaf community while playing games and going on field trips. One of my favorite parts of the camp was all of the different people I was able to meet. I became very close with one of the counselors who was around my age and deaf. From her, I learned more ASL and had so much fun talking to her every day. During one of the vocabulary lessons we did with the kids, I was able to be the interpreter for the other deaf counselor so the kids could understand what she was saying. Being an interpreter is an experience that I will never forget, and I hope that I will have more opportunities in the future

My goal going into volunteering at Bridges was to help spread awareness of the deaf community and my knowledge of the language. Many people are not familiar with the beauty of sign language and frequently have many questions about how deaf people go about their daily lives. Some people might believe that deaf people are disabled and dumb so they do not make the effort to try and communicate with them. When in reality, deaf people live their lives similarly to hearing people just without sound. Many people do not realize that there is an entire deaf community that shares everyday experiences, traditions, and values They have a common way of interacting with each other that they cannot do with someone who is hearing and does not know anything about their language. Throughout my time at Bridges, I learned that the deaf community is a fun environment to be around, and I was able to spread awareness to younger kids by teaching them more about ASL and the deaf community. I look forward to learning more ASL in the future and encouraging more people to become immersed in this beautiful language

Reflection Essay: Helen Thompson Access to Health Care

Every day I spend at Siloam Health, a nonprofit organization that provides healthcare for the uninsured, underserved, and culturally marginalized in our community, leaves an impact on my perspective on life. My view on access to healthcare expanded exponentially, and now I better understand the needs of our community. Healthcare is broken, fragile, and increasingly unaffordable Patients walk in with medical concerns and fear of another rejection. However, they're welcomed with open arms and walk out relieved of their fears. Siloam Health believes in addressing patients’ entire well-being, including physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.

When I am scheduled for the first Saturday morning shift, I walk past a line of patients eager for the clinic to open. Although they smile at me gently, I can see the truth in their eyes. I know they have been turned away from the help that they need countless times They tirelessly tried every possible way to avoid coming this morning, out of fear of another rejection or that they will be offered a solution that they can not afford. Paying for the care they need may also mean sacrificing money for food, rent, and other necessities of life. I see a pregnant woman with tired eyes, a young Hispanic boy with a bloody bandage on his hand, a family of four sharing a contagious virus, a homeless lady with a limp, and many more painstaking faces. Although they all have different stories, they come to the clinic for the same reason. They are all in pain and are losing hope for their healing They patiently and fearfully wait in line to see if they will finally be accepted and receive the help they desperately need.

Past the doors of the waiting room, I am greeted by a wonderful team of doctors, nurses, interpreters, and other volunteers. Each team member is devoted to serving patients with compassion. The interpreter’s skill of translating languages between the patients and physicians is imperative to the success of Siloam because they serve patients from over 100 countries. Siloam understands that refugees have fled horrors and may be in a vulnerable state, so they make the environment feel as warm and safe as possible My assignments include restocking the rooms, organizing equipment, sanitizing the examination tables, and other small tasks. Although my qualifications prevent me from being involved in care firsthand, I am able to witness the beauty of patients being welcomed with acceptance and love. My eyes have been opened to the need for resources in the community, but also the generous hearts of people striving to make a difference in the lives of others. Siloam Health is an example that everyone is worthy of respect and care.

Siloam Health has taught me to be grateful for my health but also how to perceive the expensive and complicated system of healthcare in America. My experience as a volunteer has inspired a calling in me to join the field of global health and help find permanent solutions to providing the care that every person deserves.