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A Deaf person who I admire would be Fred Schreiber (gives name sign)
He's a long-time Executive Director of ***. I met him for the first time when I started
getting into the interpreting field and he was just so enthusiastic with ***, such a
strong advocate and spokesperson for the deaf community.
He was amazing, plus I think maybe back in the '70's or 80's, must be the 70's or 80's,
he, along with *** and our local MSAD and Massachusetts Rehab Commission all got together
and supported the first independent living program for deaf people- the first one ever
in the US- from my understanding. It was called D.E.A.F. Inc.
He came for the dedication and it was just wonderful to see that someone from a national
level organization took the time to come to a small event in Boston, well not really small,
but.... came to Boston to support us, wow. That really impressed me.
I was told that he had passed on in 1979, I was really heartbroken that he was really
gone. Nobody could ever replace him.
So, anyway Frank Schreiber is the Deaf person I really admire.
A Deaf person that really inspired me? Really, I can't do just one person, I must
have two. Who are they? My parents.
I'm a very proud CODA. I really look up to my parents because growing
up, they taught me that Deaf people CAN do things.
I really remember that and I follow that everyday.
So... there's really a number of them but I think it's important for me, thinking about
who really aspired me to immerse myself into the deaf community are my siblings.
I have two deaf siblings. I am the youngest of four.
My Deaf brother is older than me, right before me.
My Deaf sister is the oldest one. I have a hearing brother in between those
two. So really, those two deaf siblings really
impacted a key part of who and why I am here today as an interpreter.
They.. my older sister and I are 6 years apart so in some way she was not a part of the direct
development of my ASL fluency, and really- developing myself as an interpreter.
But my Deaf brother, wow, we were only 3 years apart so we were very tight, always collaborating
together, getting in mischief together, going off to do our things together, that fun stuff-
you know what I mean? So, I really look back on that and when people
ask me who really inspired my growth as an interpreter and signing person, it's definitely
my deaf siblings. More so my deaf brother but just a little
bit different because we were closer in age and did everything together.
Really I have to thank both of them for their patience with me growing up, learning the
language, being a part of their culture- I'm thankful for their influence because without
them, I wouldn't be the same person I am today. So... many thanks to them.