It was not until I started school that I realized that my mom was not the same as other mothers. Why didn’t the mothers of my classmates communicate with sign language like my mom? I thought that there was something wrong with them. Yet, as I grew older, I did not want my mom to be different than the other parents. I wanted her to be able to hear. I wanted to be able to communicate with her by talking, not by signing. When she signed up to be chaperone on a class field trip, I was devastated. I was afraid that my classmates would make fun of her. I could not have been more wrong. My classmates loved my mom. They had a lot of fun trying to learn sign language. When the day was over, my teacher asked my mom to come back to teach the class sign language. From that day on, my attitude towards my mom and deaf people changed drastically. Watching my mom cheerfully accept my teacher’s invitation overwhelmed me with pride and respect for her. That was just the beginning of my mom’s positive influence on me that has shaped me as an individual.
In having deaf parents and relatives, I have benefited immensely. A door has been opened to a whole new world. Through interpreting, I have acquired good public relation skills. Making phone calls for my mom has taught me good telephone manners. These skills have helped me greatly in my present job working in an office. When I worked in a coffee shop, I was able to help deaf customers which impressed my boss a great deal. Sign language allows me the freedom to be more expressive in my thoughts. Being involved in a close-knit community, such as the deaf community, has given me lasting friendships and memories.
The most valuable aspect in my coda experience that I have observed is the importance of communication. Without communication, there is a barrier between people. I have seen the frustration in my mom when she is not able to have a conversation with a hearing person. This knowledge has inspired me to learn as many foreign languages as I can. I never want to be prevented from communicating with someone because I do not know their language. This year I am taking my sixth year of French and my first year of Spanish in high school. I am also teaching myself the basics of the Russian language with the help of audio cassettes.
In college, I would like to major in international business with a minor in deaf communications. I feel that being in international business will give me the opportunity to use my skills in communication. I would not have acquired these skills if I had not been raised by a deaf mother. I am forever grateful for my coda experience. More importantly, I am forever grateful to my mom.
