ECAD Convention 2011

ECAD Convention 2011 in Dartmouth

By Kathern Lawrence

 

Myles Murphy

45^th biennial ECAD Convention chaired by Betty Mac Donald and her committee was held at Park Place Hotel & Conference Centre Ramada Plaza, 240 Brownlow Avenue in Dartmouth on July 14 – 16, 2011. The first evening, Myles Murphy presented a poignant presentation about his research findings on Deaf persons in Newfoundland placed in palliative care. He recognizes their unique needs because of their Deaf culture; their needs are significantly different from those of those hearing people who are dying.  Dying, Deaf persons must have communication access among family members / close friends through sign language or interpreters, and even Deaf persons of passing family members need interpreters at the time of their grievance. The presence of other Deaf persons and touching the hands bring the dying ones comfort and inner peace.

 

 The Opening Ceremony took place at the bare property at Gottingen Street on which a glorious monument had been set up. In spite of the chilly, windy day, the Deaf and friends from the Atlantic Provinces gathered there, waiting curiously for special moments of the ceremony. We had a great pleasure meeting Neil Van Allen, the son of late Karl Van Allen, the principal of Halifax School for the Deaf, his wife, and daughter. Finally Neil unveiled the monument with the help of his wife and daughter. Then the government people, including Mr. Peter Kelly, the mayor of Halifax, talked about the existence of the history of Deaf Community. At George Dixon Centre on the left side of the property, we had a great pleasure to take a memory lane, viewing posted and album photos displayed in the permanent Halifax Association of the Deaf “museum” after having listened once again to the historic stories presented by Marjorie J. Crawford and Betty Mac Donald. The slideshows featuring old school days were also running throughout the event. We mingled among one another, meeting new and old friends, smiling, and nodding over the retold stories while nibbling lovely, finger-sized nutritious refreshment, including colorful, fresh berries.



Prior to unveiling monument

Neil Van Allen and his wife had the honor to unveil the monument.

 

 

 



M.J. Crawford and Betty Mac Donald
narrating the history of Halifax School
for the Deaf

 

Dingo was one of the favorite games the Deaf played in the   evening for the money prizes. 4 or 5 people won the money (lowest prize to highest prize).

The Family Feud was always an exciting competition between the women and men. The first 3 games in the Family Feud competition had been called Card Sharks and the second 3 games. The Family Feud had been played 6 times since 1993. The women were always the champions! Of course, it was a big disappointment to the men. The young female enthusiasts played the last game wildly, keeping the middle-aged ladies at bay. Perrier’s Concrete Homes had donated the trophy in 1993 to award a team, either winning men or women competing in games. On the trophy, the plate says:

“When our deaf family gathers, days are always filled with tease and laughter, but most importantly lots of love among ourselves. As long as we keep this love for deaf culture alive in our hearts today, will never be lost and never be forgotten tomorrow and forever.”

 

The motto reflects the strong spirit of the Deaf Community, especially in special times we socialize among one another, after we left the schools for the deaf, both in Halifax and Amherst. Our Deaf Culture never fades away.

Ladies from Newfoundland

Margaret LeBlanc, Agnes Comerford,
Bill Comerford

 

The AGM was scheduled to run on the Saturday morning with President Brenda Mulley-Rose in charge, Gilbert Blunden recording the minutes, and Ricky Keating, Treasurer. The meeting, including debates, ran for about 3 hours in the morning.

ECAD Committee: Front row- Steve Cook,
Secretary Gil Blunden, Treasurer Ricky Keating,
M.J. Crawford; Back- President Brenda Mulley-Rose,
Betty Mac Donald, Frank D'Eon
 

The oldest members: Mary Snow, Geraldine Buchanan,
Polly Buchanan joined by ex-president Mike Perrier 

On the following evening, the last one, we gathered at the hall for a lovely banquet with recognition awards subsequently presented to several people we honored for their dedication to the Deaf Community: Betty Mac Donald, Halifax, for her volunteering as a chairwoman; Judy Shea, St. John, NL, for her volunteering for NL Deaf Community; and Mike Perrier for his faithful volunteering for the Deaf Community in the Maritime Provinces. Then Mike Perrier respectfully presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Gerry Buchanan to show his appreciation toward her for all her support she had given to her late husband, Malcolm, who was actively engaged as an ECAD board member for a long term. We mingled with people for storytelling in a Pidgin combination of American Sign Language (ASL) and Maritime Sign Language (MSL). The three oldest persons: Mary Snow, Gerry Buchanan, Polly Buchanan had faithfully attended the ECAD Convention for many years.

ECAD Convention is one of our most favorite times we enjoy very much because we gather like a family reunion. We live in scattered places, travelling far enough to a destination for special social functions for the Deaf.
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1st Editorial Page in ECAD News April 2012

1st Editorial Page in ECAD News Volume 1 Number 1 April 2012

 During the general meeting of the 45^th Biennial ECAD Convention 2011, Myles Murphy pointed at me, asking if I would be interested in being the editor of ECAD Newsletter, and promptly, I responded, “Yes! I would love to.” The members attending voted to have an editor. Once again, I want to thank the members for putting trust in me. I strongly believe that we keep the commitments as expected by the members at the meeting. So here is the publication of ECAD News. Stories told in ASL or MSL should be written down so they will always stay known in the Deaf Community as a part of our history. In some cases, some past stories told in ASL or MSL are unfortunately forgotten; they are nothing to share with Deaf people in the future. The stories from the past are definitely worth knowing or remembering.

Even though I know there were other kinds of publications (Atlantic Silent News?) done by other Deaf persons like Robert Tupper, this may be the first publication of ECAD News. Since there has been presently no publication about the Deaf in the Atlantic Provinces, we feel it is important that we keep up with something written about ECAD, its past, and its social events. Not only the events of ECAD, but the ECAD News should include stories and announcements about various events happening in the Deaf Communities in the Atlantic Provinces. The main intention for the publication is targeted toward historic purposes.

ECAD News, why pick the title? After suggesting other titles for the ECAD Newsletter to the ECAD board, I did not think they were perfect choices. Eventually, I liked the titles such as ASL-OAD News, Alberta Deaf News so since we are a part of Eastern Canada Association of the Deaf, I think the ECAD News is a suitable choice.

I would like to see a Deaf member of any Deaf organization from each province: Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick volunteer writing and gathering information and emailing me the information and photos to be posted in the newsletter issue. I need YOU to be a part of contributors to the ECAD News. If you prefer a videotape story, please send me that, too, and we will try to make it work on the videotape online. I know many Deaf people enjoy watching videotapes. We all are a part of the Deaf Community. For example, I’d like to receive stories from:

- Deaf local bowling league from each local city

- Deaf women Club from each local city

- Deaf Clubs (Fredericton Association of the Deaf, Halifax Association of the Deaf, Saint John Association of the Deaf, Moncton Association of the Deaf

- Deaf Sports Association Nova Scotia

- Deaf Dart Clubs

- Others related to the Deaf Community

I would also like stories you want to share with us. Please contact me to let me know who wants to be a part of contributing team. Thanks to the volunteers who have sent me the stories. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Kindly send me stories / articles and a few photos at my email address: kblaw@nbnet.nb.ca for the next issue (summer) of ECAD News. I will try my best to have each issue of the newsletter ready early for the publication in April, August, and December (3 issues yearly). Please write the stories and send them to me or contact me to write them for you through Skype or Videophone shortly after every event you have been involved in. The deadline for each issue is the first week of three months: April, August, and December.

Every one of you, enjoy the blessings of wonderful spring and summer nature and activities.

Thank you,

Kathern G. Lawrence

---

Women & Wellness

Women & Wellness
Kathern G. Lawrence

Tobie Martin, Kathern Lawrence, Claudette Goguen

Three of us, Deaf ladies, were much thankful and delighted  listening to the stories interpreted while several women were narrating about their personal experiences . We would love to attend social events with interpreters available, more often. Deaf individuals often feel the lack of information that is always disseminated to the public at lectures or seminars through the voice; that blocks the Deaf from the freedom to communication equality. We always need interpreters as our visual accommodations to gather information but we always face funding problems for interpreters or the shortage of interpreters and thus, we are not able to attend such social functions. However, we had the perfect opportunity to attend Canadian Mental Health Association's 9th gala event for women, hosted at Bernice MacNaughton High School on the February 4th, 2012, Saturday, to raise funds and also to promote the need for services for mental disorders, including depression, alcoholism, drug addiction. Approximately 500 women flocked to hear the stories of two women guests who experienced distresses. Wine, appetizers, and chocolates were served by high school students.

 

Storytelling took place. The first lady whom I did not catch her name talked about several people she knew committed suicide. The second part was a thought-provoking speech by Coralee Smith supported by Kim Pate, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fye Societies that advocate for women and girls in Canada's justice system. Kim explained that she investigated the case of Ashley Smith, Coralee's daughter that she committed suicide in the Kingston Penitentiary and was able to view videotapes of Ashley's past behaviour problems that can be viewed online. Coralee was angry that the prison guards watched Ashley killing herself. Ashley was temporarily on counselling therapy that she seemed happy until her psycharist was on a vacation. For 27 out of 37 months, she was placed in isolation where there were no TV, books, and computer because of her behaviour problems in the prison. She could only sleep and do mother nature in that room. Imagine yourself in her shoes. How would you feel without such essential stimulation? You would go insane for sure, and so would I.

Coralee Smith speaking; Kim Pate listening

Ashley Smith, troubled girl

A positive side of the story followed. Coralee and her husband gladly donated $20,000. to the Canadian Mental Health Association to help people with mental disorders. She narrated about Ashley having a kind heart for less fortunate people. Once, she noticed that some food was missing from the refrigerator. She asked Ashley what happened to the food, and she shrugged and shook her head. A few years later, Ashley admitted that she brought some food to the bum living under the Gunningville Bridge, and that made her feel better. Shortly after Ashley's passing, Coralee thought about the bum, and looked for his name. Finding him somewhere, she told him that Ashley was gone, and suddenly he shed tears and commented that she was very kind.

The next day I was much interested in Ashley's case so I looked up in the Internet. A lot of stories about her were up on the screen. I learned that she was adopted at the age of 5 months, and she did not cause any troubles until the age of 13 years. From then, she had always been troubled, but she never got any help at all. It appeared to be her mental illness that caused her troubles. She was placed at Youth Centre, Provincial Centre, and Federal Prison for the number of years until she died at the age of 23. I read chronicles of her incidents that showed how troubled she was. She must have cried for help, but no help from the society was brought to her. The society did not understand her, but punished her by sending her to the prisons. Poor soul!


At the end, Janice Butler marched up rhythmically to beats upon the stage. She is known as a motivational speaker with energetic inspirations like Ellen DeGeneres.  She has been travelling to give lectures on positive outlook on life. As she asked us what made us happy, she showed several slides of those moments of pleasure in her life: making an angel in snow, skyriding, traveling, painting. She explained that we did not need to end our enjoyable moments that we remembered what we did during our childhood. Contemporarily, we could replay those activities. She encouraged us to write happy notes as we retired in the evenings every day so we would always live with positive thinking.

Janice Bulter, acclaimed motivational speaker

The last part of Janice's speech was about visualization board. She described her experience of using the board. We could dream up something, but it did not have to be the exact dream, but the basic dream could happen in our lives. She loved Tuscancy, Italy, which she dreamed of going to. She posted up pieces of something relating to Tuscancy one a time: a copy of videotape "Tuscany Under the Sun", a picture of Ellen DeGeneres whom she wanted to have an interview with, and other pictures. She viewed the videotape with her sister and husband. Later on, as she was recognized for her speeches, she was invited to be on a TV in Quebec and to be interviewed by a leading French-speaking man (I don't watch the Quebec TV Program). Janice was interviewed instead of Ellen. Janice still dreamed of going to Tuscancy, and would think she would save some money to tour with her sister and husband.



One day, her sister and husband excitedly came to her saying that they could join a contest to win flight tickets to Tuscancy so they applied for it. They were assigned Symphony 104 to do something for a TV program (name of that?); they were not familiar with that symphony so they checked it out in the Internet. They found out that it was created by Franz Joseph Haydn, the composer, from the1795's. Unfamiliar, they had to listen to his music in order to decipher the beats, and they could identify each beat from Symphony 104 to today's beat. They had one week to collaborate hard on the blend of beats in their acting; On the stage, the three people came up, and the program commentator surprised them that only one would do the act. The colored spotlight flashed over from one to another person standing and wating, and flashed back around several times until the light stopped and spotted at one person. Who performed? It was Janice with her eyes closing and performing each beat while listening to every beat - a very talented actress. The group won the ticket to Tuscanny! Janet's dream came true.

She is on the list of her websites, running her own business and travelling around the world entertaining audience with her amazing stories and changing people into a new positive outlook of their lives.

The Celebration of Paul Forgeron's Life

The Celebration of Joseph Paul Stanley Forgeron's Life
Kathern G. Lawrence


On Friday, December 30, 2011, Paul Forgeron (birth name: Joseph Paul Stanley Forgeron) passed away unexpectedly at his home in Little Anse on the southeast island in Richmond County of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, surviving a loving family: wife of 44 years, Mary Barbara Samson; two daughters: Connie (Forgeron) Samson and Wendy (Forgeron) Turple; two sons: Dean and Ricky Forgeron; and eight adorable grandchildren: Mandy Forgeron, Tony Forgeron, Sophie Samson, Ben Samson, Ava Turple, Leah Turple, Seth Forgeron, and Jaxon Paul Forgeron. About 20 Deaf people travelled to the hometown as far as 4 hours drive each way to pay respects to Paul at C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home in Arichat on the island. The Deaf Community knew him well since we attended the Halifax School for the Deaf. The school was a residential school in which many Deaf children from all over the Atlantic provinces stayed for 10 months for education for 8 - 10 years. After our graduation at closing exercises, we kept in touch with Barbara, his wife, and him at social Deaf functions.

Front row: Sons Ricky & Dean
Back row: Barbara, Paul, daughters

Mandy

Front row: grandchildren Seth, Ava, Sophie, Ben
Back row: Barbara holding Leah, Paul

Tony

Grandbaby Jaxon Paul

In celebration of Paul Forgeron's life, I want to share a special story about him with you, the readers; something I remember, and the other friends of his would share experiences with him in different ways. Upon my vacation from Edmonton, Alberta, to visit my family in New Brunswick in 1999, I grabbed a perfect opportunity to visit my Deaf friends in Nova Scotia. In the meantime, Barbara thoughtfully invited me over to visit with Paul and her at their bi-levelled home. During the visit, I appreciated recognizing the talents that Paul showed through the furniture pieces he had made and also the house he had built with the help of his relatives. I also enjoyed viewing the exhibition of two sets of model train layouts he had set in the basement. I remember Barbara narrating memories of our old days at the schools in Halifax and Amherst, Nova Scotia while showing me some treasured photos. After Paul's passing, I looked up my album "Friends and Events in the Maritimes" in which I kept most photos. The hospitality was one of the most reminiscing experiences I had ever enjoyed.


A Lifetime Partner

Paul and Barbara knew each other from the Halifax school, but they had never chatted with each other, and they hung out in different circles of friends. Paul left the school in June, 1959 to enter a working world in West Arichat, a small Acadian community, on the southwest island of Richmond County where he had been born. Like other handsome, young fellows who were wowed by very pretty or beautiful ladies, Paul had eyes on Barbara during social gatherings among the Deaf friends and inquired about her through his late schoolmate, Luke Boudreau. Knowing where she lived, he had the courage to knock the door of the Samson house in Little Anse and ask her parents for permission to take her out. Barbara had matured as an attractive, lean lady with brown, wavy short hair. She nodded smilingly and her mother granted him the permission. He took her to a baseball game. The next time they dated at Pondville Beach, blossoming into romance. They had courted for 6 years before they tied the knot at St. Joseph Church in Petit de Grat on July 22nd, 1967.

Lifetime marriage vow

Photo taken in 2005

New Home

In 1973, Paul built the house with the help of Barbara's brother, Omer Samson; her father, Joseph Samson, and her uncle, Vander Samson. They helped set up the wooden studs on the foundation and trusses upon the stud frames, brush tar for roof shingles, and install the windows and doors. The wiring and plumbing jobs were done by the hired professionals. The rest of the work, Paul did to complete the house which Barbara and he dreamed about and designed. It was built to be a cozy and cheerful house for their children to grow up in. It has been remaining occupied.











Passion for Woodworking

Originally, when woodworking was offered to boys at the Halifax School for the Deaf, Paul got a knack for it; he made a lamp and end table. Years later, he was so keen to pursue the woodworking hobby that he learned further from his boss, Joe Murry, at Richmond School where he worked for the maintenance department. Joe invited him to his home basement to teach him advanced skills. Afterwards, he professionally made beautiful furniture pieces for the Forgeron house.

Furniture Pieces Paul made

 



Paul also made many wooden toys. As I am a collector of Deaf crafts, I bought from him, a lamp with a San Francisco trolley train made of varied-grain wood. It has been moved from one room to another room at my home, and now it is standing in the living room. It is a sentimental treasure that I admire so much that I believe God gave Paul a gift of craftsmanship.

 San Francisco trolley train lamp

Model Train Hobby

When Paul was young and small, his parents gave him a metal train set, probably for his Christmas present. He put it away in the attic of his parent's home in West Arichat. He had not played with it for some time since he stayed at the residential school most of the year. When he came home, he thought about the set and searched it, but it had been missing. He inquired about it with his mother, and she told him that it had been given to his cousin, Bobby. Disappointed, he responded that he wanted to keep it, but he let go.


However, throughout the phase of adulthood, Paul mused about owning metal model train sets; yet, he had to wait until his second son, Ricky, to move out of his home and to live on his own. Finally, the basement was left unoccupied that he set up two sets of train layouts with many sets of trains, one layout in the middle of the room and the other one up on the circular tracks by the four walls. Endlessly his friends and family members had a great pleasure to watch the trains chugging and hooting along the tracks when operated electronically.

Friends watching the metal model trains chugging:
Anne Martell, Leon Martell, Amrose Martell, Purdy Killam

Work

Paul was fortunate to be able to work full time at several employers all his life before his retirement. He exerted manual skills that he could contribute to all the employers. He was definitely a jack of all trades. His first job in 1959 was at Raymond Gerrior's Woodworking Shop in West Arichat where he made wooden windows. He worked there until 1964 (5 years).


The next employer in Halifax was Russo Windows and Doors. He repaired old steel windows or doors, and also measured, welded, and paint-sprayed them. He worked there in 1964-1971 (7 years).


For Richmond Board in West Arichat, Paul worked at 17 different schools in 1971-1999 (27 years), and for Strait Board, at 7 big schools in Mulgrave in 1999-2004 (4 years). As a maintenance, he repaired broken things; made furniture pieces like shelves and cabinets; installed new windows, doors, and boiler furnace; painted walls; and connected electrical wires.


Retirement


Finally at the age of 62, he retired on November 27, 2004 that he enjoyed more time with his wife at home. During his retirement, he was still known to pass his time making more wooden toys and even trains operated with motors for his children. He followed instructions of models to make those. As compared to the products he made simply 20 years ago, he passionately challenged a higher level of difficulty in making the trains, remote-control boats, and a remote-control plane. He did not use nails to put pieces together to make something; the nails would split some wood pieces, and it would be difficult not to split the pieces. He had a brilliant plan to glue a piece by a piece together and clamped a small portion of the pieces together at a time for a couple of hours before adding another portion until it was a complete set. During the period of chemo therapy, he would not slow down himself to continue with his project. Tackling the challenges successfully was his happiness. Upon his passing,  he left his last project unfinished: a remote control plane. His family expressed much pride of his amazing work and so did he of their personal accomplishments in their lives.

Different kinds of vehicles

Wooden model trains Paul passionately made

Two kinds of model trains: modern & antique

Tug boat

Fisherman boat

Unfinished project: plane

All of his hand-made toys and trains remain as admirable memorabilia; they would be nice to be seen in a museum such as an existing centre called Deaf Culture Centre in Toronto which currently displays the arts and artifacts of Deaf people.


Acknowledgement


For this journal on my blog: Deaf Journaling, Barbara cared to fill me with details about Paul and also the couple when asked. Furthermore, she sent me more photos of the family and crafts Paul had recently made since my visit. To her, I am extending my warmest gratitude to her, and; therefore, this credit goes to her for this mini-biography.



Proverbs 10: 4 - Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Communicate with Deaf Persons - How?

Communicate with Deaf Persons - How?
Kathern G. Lawrence


In this world, the hearing meet Deaf persons face to face in different settings, recognizing that they are deaf or they cannot hear. Shortly, they decide how to communicate with them. Commonly, they choose the most convenient way to communicate with them -of course, by speaking as they assume the Deaf can lipread and speak well. Beside written language, speaking is the hearing's vocal language, a part of their culture, they grow with all their lives to chat with one another so they speak with them. In some cases, they find out that some Deaf individuals cannot speak nor lipread well. Often, the hearing don't bother to alter to another way of communication to get messages across. For example, when I don't follow what a female cashier says, she realizes that I am deaf, and she doesn't try to speak again nor switch to writing a note. She simply says, "Never mind" that I have often lipread in other settings. I frown or beckon, hesitating that she tells me what she has said. Sometimes, she gives in and scribbles something, and her willingness to communicate with me another way usually makes me feel good.  In appreciation for her gesture of understanding the needs of Deaf persons, I respond to the lady, writing back, nodding, or shaking my head.


The administration at schools for the deaf, day schools, intergrated (inclusion) school programs decides which mode of communication Deaf children are educated through: speaking or sign language. In some cases, they choose an oral-approach education for them. With hearing aids or cochlear implants, they learn to lipread and listen to spoken sounds and gross sounds. Good speaking is preferably more focused than quality education. The intention of the program is to have Deaf persons interact normally in a hearing society, but oftentimes they miss important messages in conversations in group settings. They can speak well enough, but when lipreading, they usually get lost as to what contexts are about. They may just nod and smile, saying nothing or saying something off the point. The Deaf persons should not bluff around with the hearing because they don't realize how much they have missed in the conversation. They may want to act like the hearing, but they don't get as much information as the hearing.


A very small number of Deaf people succeed in lipreading;yet, lipreading accuracy rates at a very low percentage in a group setting, a class setting, or a conference setting. They may become social bluffs; they get by as they pretend what the hearing people say and the hearing assume they understand what they have said. They often get by with the hearing they interact, but it is not always the best way for us to get whole messages. The best way to chat by lipreading is when a Deaf person chats with only one hearing person who can understand her /his speech, and it often works efficiently in an one-to-one setting.


Another issue is that not every Deaf person can learn to speak as well as other Deaf people. For example, I don't speak intelligibly. Only a few people who know me well through our upbringing can understand my Deaf voice enough to carry on our conversation.  My younger sister, Rosemary Boudreau, whom I grew closely with during our childhood, can follow my conversation. Many hearing people in the public have trouble following me. As a result, I always write down notes to chat with the people.


Even my 97- years- old mom, Eva Geldart, has never understood my Deaf voice; she can only understand a few statements that I say: "I know", "I love you", "No". Now nearly 60 years have passed that my mother never understands me even though I vocally talk to her. She shakes her head and keeps saying, "Write down." I always write notes to talk with her; meanwhile, she speaks and I lipread her. I understand her most of the time when I know what we are talking about. This is how my mother and I always communicate.



When I started the first year at the Halifax School for the Deaf, the principal, Mr. Karl Van Allen who emigrated from England, suggested to my parents (Dad Everette Geldart and Mom) that they should practice the oral method (speaking), not sign language to communicate. They agreed to abide by the superior authority who thought the oral method was the best answer for Deaf children to learn. He explained that when we graduated from school, we would succeed vocally in the hearing society. However, it didn't work for some Deaf persons. Every time I came home from the school, my parents always had trouble following me so they depended on my sister, Rosemary, or my niece Claudette Perron, to interpret what I had said. They regretted not learning sign language. Rosemary learned fingerspelling; every time she doesn't understand what word I speak, she asks me to fingerspell it, and also, vice versa.


My cousin, Lorna McMullin, living near Hampton, N.B., probably the youngest relative, and I became close since we met each other at Mom's birthday celebration several years ago. I had lived in the west for many years, and I rarely saw Lorna during our younger years ago, but we are about 15 years different in ages. I yearned to know her better because I always admired her late mother, Gloria Jones (Aunt Gloria), the youngest of 8 siblings, with whom I had close contact in the past. Lorna realized that I spoke unintelligibly, and also, I could not understand what she had said so we chatted with each other, writing notes back and forth. Another way, her husband used a word processor on his laptop to chat with me.



Writing notes and signing are my strongest foundation of receptive and expressive language for communication purposes with which I am most comfortable, and I apply them all my life since I learned to sign and write. I consider lipreading an ineffective venue of communciation because it can create misunderstanding and the lack of information which I avoid. I know I would miss a lot of information through lipreading. Moreover, I don't speak well, and I don't want any misunderstanding and misinformation. Thanks to the Lord for the greatest gift - sign language and writing abilities I have been using contendedly.

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