AuthorMikaMathews

https://books2read.com/u/bWaepx

My EIGHTH BOOK is publishing. Small Moments is being made into something amazing already...

So proud!

EDIT- It is in the process of being published, the link won't work for a few hours... be patient.

I am not Hard of Hearing or Deaf. I live in Rochester, with the Highest number of Deaf/HoH people in the country. Last year I was going to College for ASL, but realized that being an interpreter is too precise for me. What I did find was a deep respect and admiration of that community and a rage at how the world has treated people in it. Especially kids.

So I redirected my thoughts, and now I am going for Human Services Associates degree ( To start) and aim to help that community as best I can. Not in a hero way, but in a human way. I will be taking Asl classes, to afford at least basic communication and will be doing my best to help as best I can.

I am telling you this for advice. Are there things to avoid, encourage, studies that are great helps... I want to make a difference and really help. Your community is one that deserves that respect, so I aim to do my best.

Thank you for anything you can do to help, even if that is to direct me to a better Reddit to post this on.

Edit- It was pointed out that I wasn't being really direct, so here is the question-

My question is this- How can I be the best advocate, especially for Deaf/HOH children? I want to help kids get access to good educations, job potential and more. I want to make sure they are literate and able to advocate for themselves as well. They deserve and equitable playing field and I think I can help with that. So, I ask, how can I get started in a way that really does good and is wasting no one's time?

Thank you.

P.S. I will go for my bachelors, but I learn much better with field work than just classwork...

Edit- I really am not trying to be a hero, I know from personal experience how demeaning and unhelpful that is... I just want to do some good for a community that i respect a lot. Thank you.

MAJOR EDIT0

I am not thinking ASL is a basic language, all Sign Languages are beautiful, complex and well developed. What I was trying to explain is that i cannot simcom, that is too precise for me. The wires cross and that is a huge part of interpreting. I am far too aware that it is not enough to have basics, I even said I was going to continue to learn more ASl and Deaf Culture in college, I live in Rochester, the resources are there.

I have only one semester of ASL skill, I want to have far more before i enter the work force. This is why I am asking for help, so I know precisely how to make the most out of my time so I CAN be the best fit for this community. I have time, that is the point.

To be concise, my goal is to take my four Human services courses per semester and then an Asl elective to round it out. This includes deaf studies... I am not taking this lightly. My goal is to become as fluent as I can in ASL and understanding as I can be in Deaf/HoH culture.

I hope to be the best fit to help those I respect and can see myself being a wonderful help... this is not a light goal. I am going all in. Heck I want to take ASL course in my bachelors as well...

The reason I am getting my Associates first is to get into a Deaf led organization and get my feet wet, to keep my skills up and more. Signing as part of my job, working in that community would be paramount to mastering the language and understanding the culture.

So I did it, I the one sucking at finishing things, finished an entire letsplay and I am so proud. The moment it is up, you will get it..