My Deaf Event Experience

My Deaf event Experience

As required for my ASL class, Im supposed to go visit a deaf event and engage in communication with deaf people. I did one 2 weeks ago. I’ve been attending ASL class for 2 months now. And I personally feel, I've gained a lot of knowledge and awareness in the Deaf culture. And now, with all of that being said, I put, the info Ive learned and everything Ive practiced to the test.

Now while I'm being honest, I will say. Prior to this event, I was pretty nervous. I had no idea what was going to happen or who I was going to meet or interact with. I was scared and I thought that it was going to be hard to remember all the stuff Ive learned in class. I was going to freeze up and not be able to communicate or worse, look ridiculous. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. Even though I communicated the basics and observed a lot.

Lets get talking about the event. I went to the Deaf event in Anchorage, Pizza party night Thursday. At first it was a little awkward, I didn't know what to do. I felt so out of place The only thing I could think about, was the fact I only knew how to sign my name and ask how are you, well that was the only thing I could remember. But that is what I thought. When I walked in I stayed back and observed, because there wasn't a whole lot of people. I was still really nervous. I thought that I should grab a slice of pizza. How could you go to a pizza parlor and not grab pizza? After my nerves calmed down, I finally grew the courage to go interact with some teens. Only feeling confident in the basics I met a couple people. Our conversation was very vague. They did teach me, by watching them I knew a lot more then I gave myself credit for .With all of that being said, I could understand bits and pieces of their conversation. Knowing a little, I didn't feel helpless. The signs that weren't clear, that I presented. They helped me fix them and make them better and more readable. Overall I also learned more about the deaf culture and how each signer has his or her own slang in their signs.

To finish up, I did get the opportunity to use my ALS learnings and put them to the test. But I still have a long time before I can carry on conversations with deaf folks and not ask them to repeat themselves tons of times. I have the basics, like “ Hi, How are you? Whats your name? How are you doing?etc “ But everything else I have to think twice about and I sign kind of slow. But it was great. The people I met seemed to be really understanding. They could possibly tell that I was a little unsure.

Overall, It was a great experience, I learned more about the deaf culture and tired something new and something out of my comfort zone. This being my first deaf event, I feel that next time. It will be a whole lot easier