ASL

Needing Arts and Humanities credits, I decided I wanted to take a language class. I decided on ASL since I had heard from other friends that the coursework was relaxed and the classroom was very casual. I was expecting it to be similar to my Spanish classes, where we’re encouraged to speak in the language, but can use English if we need to. However, I was surprised to walk into class on Day 1 and learn that all UW ASL classes are taught by Deaf professors. While this makes logical sense, I was nervous about how I would communicate and learn ASL early on in the class when there was a language barrier. However, the professors come highly prepared with slideshows, videos, and practice prompts that help with communication in those first few weeks. This immersion method had me signing very quickly! I enjoyed the tactile learning that is required with ASL, and found myself wanting to practice in my spare time. I attended ASL club meetings and ASL Chat Nights, where we learned new signs and practiced via chatting with ASL club members, including several CODAs. 

 

I enjoyed the tactile learning that is required with ASL, and found myself wanting to practice in my spare time.

​

I did not expect learning ASL to help me at work as an EMT so quickly. However, when picking up a patient from Everett Fire, the firemen introduced the patient to me as “hearing impaired, but she knows how to get her point across.” I had previously assisted and transported many elderly patients with hearing loss that Fire had also called “hearing impaired,” so I thought nothing of it and went in to make patient contact. Watching the patient’s hand motions and facial expressions reminded me of my ASL professors. There was just something that made me think that she may be Deaf, so I decided to tap her arm and sign, “Do you sign ASL?” to which she emphatically signed “YES!” The look of relief on her face is something I will never forget; to know that she would be understood and could communicate with me.

​

There was just something that made me think that she may be Deaf, so I decided to tap her arm and sign, “Do you sign ASL?” to which she emphatically signed “YES!”

​

She began telling me stories of her family while also describing her symptoms, reminding me of how my Deaf professors loved to pause class to tell us their stories. Once at the hospital, she told me that Fire had taken her to the ER three times that week, but had undersold her story, and so she was discharged without receiving any help. I made sure to stay with her to report her symptoms accurately to her nurse and doctor. The doctor even asked me to stay to help translate since their video translation was unavailable. I was so honored to use my newfound knowledge of ASL to help a patient, and I hope to keep up my practice so I can advocate and communicate with future Deaf or non-verbal patients who sign.

​

I hope to keep up my practice so I can advocate and communicate with future Deaf or non-verbal patients who sign.