Deaf Thrive Cookout 2023

 

Had a great time at Deaf Thrive Cookout today. I got to:

* meet new folx, Deaf and hearing
* fangurled quietly as I was right next to one of my favorite Deaf content creators (shout out to the talented Rogan Shannon!! I was too shy to come up and tell you how much I love what you do. THANK YOU!)
* marveled at the amazing interpreters (including Terry Dockter, who I have seen countless times interpreting for Governor Inslee)
* danced a little hip hop on stage with other volunteers under the direction of Irvine Stewart
* ran into one of my teachers and a couple other friends from classes and Seattle ASL Social
* got and gave many hugs
* handed out Seattle ASL Social buttons, and...

WAS GIVEN A SIGN NAME!!

For those who don't know, sign names are very personal and can only be bestowed by members of the Deaf community. You can't choose one for yourself, or ask for one. And usually it is personal to some observable aspect of you, physically, personality, habits, or quirks, etc. It is something every student hopes to "earn" someday, not that there is any kind of test or anything. Just...you have to wait and hope someday you are given one. It's a sign of participation, and indirectly, of trust.

Today was the day! I got off stage from dancing and was chatting with folks, and one of the ladies from the dance stage came up to compliment me and say it was fun to dance together. Turns out, she has danced with Irvine for 30 years, since their days at Gallaudet together, and she flew up from California with her sister for this event to see him and enjoy the day.

We ended up chatting a bit and commiserating over dance, and she asked me who I worked for here. I said I don't, I am a student. She smiled big and encouraged me to keep it up! I asked her name, Michelle, and she told me her name and name sign (indicating it evokes the fact she "talks a lot", quipping, "I said I'm Deaf, I didn't say I'm MUTE!").

I shared my name and she asked for my name sign. "NO-NO" I shook my head. "NO SIGN NAME." Her eyes got big. "I GIVE YOU. YOU HAVE TODAY!!" And she quickly flourished an S handshape by the side of her head, explaining it was for my fun, colorful hair and my sassy personality. We talked a little longer, shared a big happy hug, and went on with our day.

My sign name was given about 15 minutes after this photo was taken with my classmates. What a super fun day. I came home and utterly crashed, but with such a joyful heart.

I took my first ASL class over 30 years ago, and today I was brave, headed to a Deaf event, and was given what I hoped to get to have one day. <3 *happy sigh*

#deafthrive