Not giving a Deaf child access to sign language is child abuse. Ugh the ignorance in this world about minority groups needs to change.. I am so glad you found your way Lily. Unfortunately for every success there will be another child who is neglected and suffers. As someone who has passionately studied linguistics and anthropology, what you went through as a child absolutely breaks my heart. Sign language is beautiful! Now with access to the internet no one has the excuse not to try to learn at least basic communication in ASL.
I'm happy for you! I agree with you. Every deaf and hard of hearing child/person should have access to a sign language. It's the foundation for learning and expressing themselves. CI doesn't take away that need for a sign language.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am a student learning asl and I am falling in love with this rich language and the vibrant community! Thank you again for sharing!!!!!
I've been studying sign on my own for about 3 years now. I only understood about 20 percent of the signs. I got some of the jist of what you were saying. Thanks for posting.
Awesome and inspiring to anyone, deaf or not! DC is lucky to have you headed our way. Hope you love it as much as we do! :) (PS: Bring warm clothes; the winters take some getting used to if you're from warmer climes, like I am!)
You persevered! What a beautiful story! ASL should be introduced to children both hearing, hard of hearing, and Deaf/deaf. We need to eliminate the isolation the community too often feels.
Lily, I have had the pleasure to meet your dad and become friends which led me to find out about your first vlog! I know a little sign very badly. However, I always attempt to communicate with the deaf as it is my feeling that the world is missing out on some really amazing people with great knowledge and ridiculously amazing humor. Looking forward to connecting to you at some point! Andrea Adams-Miller
I just disagree with one thing...I think ASL should be one of the first languages for all kids :) I think it would be great that everyone be given the opportunity to really connect with the amazing people that is the Deaf community ^^
Oh. Wow. I just assumed asl was the first language of kids who were deaf. That's awful that you had to go through that. I went to a school not taught in my first language and did many of the same things you did to try to fit in, at least during class. Thankfully outside of class most kids knew English and I could talk to them but in class I just copied a lot of the behavior of my other classmates and tried to make sense of what was being taught. Thankfully my mom put me into an English school after that but I missed out on learning a lot just in kindergarten and 1st grade, especially preparation for reading and I had to redo 1st grade again. It wasn't until 5th grade that I truly caught up enough to not be in the slower class in math and reading and actually got into the accelerated classes. I can't image your struggle with doing that year after year and not getting the education that everyone else had the opportunity to get. Thank you for spreading your message. I didn't know that ASL wasn't taught from the get go to help those who need it to communicate thrive. :(
Suhaila A. There is actually a surprising and sad amount of deaf people who have no good communication till they teach themselves sign language(as children or adults) because their parents don't teach them or in the case of some HoH people(and deaf people too)they are made to rely on lip reading and the little hearing they have. It is SO important deaf people are taught sign language and at least their parents/guardians know it so they have communication.
Suhaila A. There is actually a surprising and sad amount of deaf people who have no good communication till they teach themselves sign language(as children or adults) because their parents don't teach them or in the case of some HoH people(and deaf people too)they are made to rely on lip reading and the little hearing they have. It is SO important deaf people are taught sign language and at least their parents/guardians know it so they have communication.
I was very lucky because my parents wanted me learn sign first. Then, try to lip read and speak but I never could learn how, and I wear hearing aids and can hear little bit, but only enviroment sounds. Imagine how hard it is for someone full deaf!
Yay! I’m happy for you Lily. Go for it. I was almost same your situation. I’m lately and learning sign language at Venado Middle School in 1992-1994. This is my 1st time sign language.
I can't fully tell, but I think I recognize that necklace she's wearing. There's a band that sells necklaces that look like that for their "Priceless" campaign. For King and Country has this campaign they talk about every concert about no matter what girls go through, they shouldn't be treated anything other than what they deserve. They are priceless. I hope that's the necklace she's wearing because she definitely is a beautiful soul and one in a million.
I absolutely adored your video and your tenacious spirit. I'm so glad that you are happy and embrace who you are. My aunt was deaf. She has passed on now, but I remember seeing her struggle to communicate with those that can hear. It was very frustrating for her as well. Congratulations on graduating high school and getting into college. That is wonderful. Keep making videos! I really enjoyed watching you 😀
Stephanie Douranakis you will.. just keep it up.. look at her struggle she went threw.. you can do just as good and don't let anyone tell you different..habe confidence
I just saw Lily on Facebook, and I’m wondering if there’s a place we can subscribe to see her vlogs and follow her. I am the mother of an autistic son. ASL was actually his first language because we had an amazing speech therapist. He could not speak using his voice, but he learned to communicate using ASL first. He is now 13, and he is completely verbal. Sadly, we discontinued the use of ASL since the spoken word became his preference. However, I have a few deaf friends so try to at least keep what knowledge I have of ASL. I can finger-spell and know some signs, but I am far from fluent. I know enough to barely get by, and I’d like to learn more.
Great example of language deprivation on her life at the earliest age, struggle is real and glad she got what she wanted in her life by embracing the hidden world of ASL from almost half of her age so she caught up. Guess what? She is complete and happy, thanks to ASL and she is ready to take on the world on her own independence, KUDOS!
I'm so happy for you! Asl is an amazing language. But i just want to ask something (i don't mean to insult anyone) What is the purpose to do this sound with lips 3:25 ? 🥰
Iv'e noticed most deaf signers put their face in the camera and crowd-out almost their entire signing space, signing away mostly off camera. Why do that?
Do you understand how to say English words with your voice box? Or, have you been deaf so long or your whole life that you aren’t sure the correct way so pronounce words? So signing is easier.
J.D. Jensen Many mainstreamed deaf students graduate high school with a 3rd grade reading and writing level because their hearing teachers didn’t know how or try to accommodate them. So yeah, that might be a funny snarky joke for you, but it’s actually uncomfortably close to reality for a lot of deaf people who are denied access to adequate education.
There’s a lot to be proud of. Deaf culture, and sign languages in particular, has always been targeted for quashing and elimination by hearing people like Alexander Graham Bell. To this day, many parents continue to refuse to allow their deaf kids to learn to sign, force them to use their voice even if they can’t do it well, force them to go to a “normal” school where they often fall behind because no one bothers to try to help them understand what’s going on. Deaf people need different ways of communication than hearing people, but hearing people have constantly tried to deny them those methods. That’s why people are proud to be Deaf-it’s not just about whether you can hear or not, it’s a culture and a type of language that has to be protected against a large majority that would rather it be destroyed.
Proud to not being able to hear music voice nature and every other thing...m big time nonsense but im happy if youre happy. Im proud and very happy to be Hearing and wouldn't change that for nothing im this world
![[ASL] Lily Weir - I'm Proud To Be Deaf!](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
