Program offers opportunity for communication

Andrea Roberts
Times Intern

 

When Dee Ann Wagner lost her hearing almost 13 years ago to Neurofibromatosis (NF) she also lost her ability to socialize.
As few are able to communicate through American Sign Language (ASL), Wagner was left feeling like she was no longer part of the community.
Almost a year ago, after 12 years of silence, Wagner took matters into her own hands and approached the Strathmore Municipal Library and started up a sign language program to help her communicate and meet community demand.
“When you are deaf it is easy to sit at home and become a hermit with no one to communicate to,” said Wagner. “I am trying to make my world neutral again.”
Wagner also explained that while the program is celebrating its first anniversary, May is a special month as it is NF awareness month and Wagner suffers from NF2. NF is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue.
She doesn’t like to be referred to as a teacher, as the program is more of an informal affair, yet it has not stopped her from sharing what she knows with others.
“I really feel like I am part of the community now, it’s a pretty amazing feeling to run into someone in our group when out and about and to be able to be included,” said Wagner.
With the help of her family she manages to lead the group with notes from the ASL University online. She said that the group of people she has now are good people ranging in age and ability.
Generally a course like this would be an expensive venture, but this course is offered for free, which has allowed for more people to be included.
“We have seen a lot of feedback from people who are very overwhelmed and excited that we are able to provide this programing,” said Carmen Erison, the assistant director of library service at Strathmore Municipal Library.
“[They are] definitely enjoying this new language so much so that we have seen a positive response that we will be continuing this into next fall.”
Carmen thanked Wagner and her family for their continued volunteer work with the program.