I'm 40 years old, a retired Navy wife, and have lived all over the United States. I graduated high school from Paonia High school, in Colorado, in 1990. I've known sign language my whole life. During high school I was my best friend's interpreter for volleyball games, and school events. When we went out to movies and social events I signed for her all the time. I even signed songs on the radio! I was taught by deaf friends throughout my life and when I got married and had children I taught all of them. My eldest son is severely autistic, and I've signed to him his whole life. My second son has ADHD and probably Aspergers syndrome (in middle of Dx). I've worked in the school system on and off during the last 14 years between each of my children. I talk while I sign - as I never like to sign in front of people who don't understand what I am saying - and it seems to help my kids understand their signs. When they don't listen to me when I am talking to them, I start signing! They always listen when I sign to them! It's always been my passion to become an interpreter, but with being a wife to a submariner who was out to sea 98% of our marriage, and my kids, I never went back to school to get my degree. I am grateful now to say we have since retired from the Navy and I am able to pursue this passion of mine through this fantastic web site!
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