My Sign Language Story [CC]

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This week is #DeafAwarenessWeek in the UK. Share your stories in the comments bellow!
How To Read Lips - • How To Read Lips! [CC]
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[@thatswhatisaidCA]

* takes off hearing aids * GO JESSICA!!!! :D

[@HOHNancy]

Me too! 🙂

[@arania.exumai]

Honestly I just think everybody should learn sign language! It not only creates a more inclusive environment for the deaf or hard of hearing, but it's just a very useful language! Think about the times when you're in a noisy environment and won't have to yell into your friend's ear. Think about when you and a mate are on opposite sides of a crowded room. Think about when you need to chat with somebody in a place where you're supposed to be silent. Think about when you grow older and you might lose your hearing that way! I started learning BSL/SSE months ago, but I've now convinced my partner to do the same. DO IT! LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE!

[@vamosavomitar5103]

Elizabeth Cartwright I’m learning 💖

[@ilove8ea]

I really want to learn but I can’t find anywhere where I can learn it fluently for free😢 does anyone know anywhere where I can???

[@emmestein]

Another perk of learning a new language is that it can help prevent Alzheimer's disease. (Not entirely, but to an extent)

[@DrinkYourNailPolish]

When I was in high school they offered a course on sign language and quite a few students took it despite the fact that we had no deaf students. The kids that took the sign language course were the most intelligent kids in our school and wanted to take sign language as a way to stimulate their minds and challenge themselves. And I didn't go to a private school or a progressive School or anything like that this was just your average high school in Upstate New York.

[@hilopewaste3654]

Drink Your Nail Polish that’s so cool! Fellow New Yorker here, mind if I ask where you’re from?

[@HeyJudie]

In my high school they tempted kids into taking ASL by promising a trip to Disneyland 😂 I took it

[@hazelshepard2595]

I'm from the south (kinda) in the US and I never had that as a course option in school. Public school and even my University (which currently only offers courses on ASL if it is mandated for your specific major and licensing related to that major). Sadly, my major is not included. I know a few words because of a PBS show I watched growing up called Signing Time. I really wish I knew more, as starting in high school I got hearing damage and now have difficulties with my hearing. It's amazing to me that your school taught ASL! I really hope more schools begin to do this in the future!

[@taylorgayhart9497]

ASL wasn’t offered in our district because, and this is a quote from them not me, we had to “learn a real language.” I was 14 and still knew they were stupid. On top of that, I was a before and after care counselor at the elementary school and one of my kids was deaf and mute and NO ONE AT HER SCHOOL COULD SIGN. I learned well enough on my own to communicate with her some, but only to meet her needs, not to get to know her. I tried telling the school that but they still made me take Spanish. I remember more ASL than I do Spanish so jokes on them I guess.

[@peachy8390]

I can’t believe that I started watching you on International Week of the Deaf last year! Crazy how long it’s been. ❤️

[@jessicaoutofthecloset]

Hi friend 👋 What a ride it has been since that week!

[@Saba.2a]

Exactly!

[@littlemusic4x]

Same here! I'm so glad I found this channel, it opened my mind and eyes in so many different ways. It's fabulous :)

[@aprilc85]

Me too

[@ohlivvhya]

Ah, same! I love this channel! I learnt som TAKK (Swedish supportive sign language) through my work as a teacher (1-5 year olds) and it's so much fun! It's been useful with several parents and kids and I helped a deaf guy order a kebab and coke one late night xD Of course your close ones should learn some more signs, it's only awkward if you think it is! GO JESSICA!

[@freyajackson546]

the SQA (exam board for Scotland) just announced that next year they're making BSL a part of the curriculum! 😊

[@sophieh2902]

I would recommend to anyone to watch 'The Silent Child' it is around 20 mins long and won this year's Oscar for best short film. It's about a deaf child trying to grow up in a hearing household. The young actress was absolutely amazing! The film is incredibly emotive and powerful.

[@jenrenby]

Please update us on how this week goes without your hearing aids! I love this idea. Giving the people in your life a gentle nudge to handle some of the responsibility of communicating with you 😊

[@beafbuger]

did u know that in norway most kindergardens and elementary schools teach SSE? its very basic, but really good for the kids that have a hard time speaking with their voice, or for deaf kids to understand the other kids. the other day my brother (who is not deaf or hard of hearing) used the sign for food to mean «can i have some more» because he couldnt say it, and i felt so proud of him.

[@lundmaguelonne1149]

frid Whaaa, that's so great! But why don't the schools teach the signs in your language? Cause SSE is Sign Supported English😅 And signs can differ between countries. Anyway, that's a really great initiative

[@fjoppis]

They teach nsl (norwegian) 😊

[@lundmaguelonne1149]

Oda Oh ok !😊 Great, thx for letting me know!

[@kiararose8896]

frid okay im adding that to my list of reasons why norway is awesome

[@MonsterKjersti]

I only wish this was the case. As a sign language interpreter I have worked in several pre- and primary schools around the country, and I'm afraid that far from most schools do this - whether they have deaf pupils enrolled or not. But it's getting better!

[@juliannedanse3066]

Locked myself in the school's bathroom to watch this video! 😂❤

[@jessicaoutofthecloset]

Ha ha amazing! Don’t get in trouble though 😉

[@hemmena1773]

Hi Jessica! Happy Deaf Awareness Week! I live in Sweden where all kids learn sign language in their early years. It is then usually an optional subject as they get older. I don't know how it is in the UK, but they have schools here also for people/children who are born hearing and then lose it. This includes a two week/month intensive course (for both the person losing/lost their hearing and their family) in acute situations as well as long term approaches, which I think is amazing. I used Swedish sign in my previous job and am planning on continuing to study it. :)

[@miaraavalin4795]

Elaine R from one swede to another. All children don’t learn sign language everywhere in Sweden. They should in my opinion, but they don’t. I didn’t. Kids here where I live now don’t and I live far away from where I went to school myself. Just letting you know that we all have some more work to do here in Sweden too.

[@notactuallyaisyahstevens3229]

no way omg i’m learning to sign!! happy deafness week 💞❗️💞❗️💞❗️

[@_Talen_]

Both my children learned to sign before they could talk, such a great tool to learn and expand on while they get older.

[@secretaltruism4174]

Genuinely, I teach a lot of my friends the alphabet, and also some fun sayings. It's great when we go clubbing because we just sign to each other.

[@2009ashmi]

Hi Jessica! I'm from America and have always loved sign language. I graduated from a sign language interpreter course in 2005. Fast forward to this year. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 4 yrs ago and while at work last May I lost the hearing in my left ear thus becoming hard of hearing which my ENT feels had come from the fibro. Little did I know back in 2005 that I'd need sign for myself someday. Luckily my hubby and kids were always supportive and learned sign along with me. What put tears in my eyes is my hubby put on a movie for me to watch right after I lost my hearing and put on the cc right away for me. The hearing in my right ear isn't that great either. I agree about learning sign in school should be mandatory!! Having that support is invaluable to me and I hope you're loved ones have fun learning sign! Mine did!!! It's a beautiful language!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗💚💚💚💚💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@MRuby-qb9bd]

I totally agree everyone should learn sign language. I used to be a baggage handler at the airport and it would have been so much more convenient if everyone could sign since our ears were all stuffed and covered for protection from the jets. I mean, I actually did have to learn IATA hand signals but they are pretty limited.

[@leahmay6913]

Since watching your videos I have been really inspired. For the past 3 months I have been learning sign and teaching my friends. I hope that one day I am able to hold a conversation with my aunties mother as she has been deaf since birth and no one can ever communicate with her, I wish we could be taught BSL in school because it is in some ways far mor important than maths and English. Thank You Jessica, we love you ♥️♥️

[@maghouinbeg5011]

Excellent! Imagine how much easier life would be if your friends and family talked AND signed to you! You could still hear every third word, but it would be backed up and reinforced by seeing the signs too.

[@mumblealice17]

I've been studying for my BSL level 1 and I have been teaching the children I work with (between 2 and 4 years old) and they pick it up so quickly! It would be so easy to put it into the school curriculum!

[@heartrays]

Hi Jess! I'm from the States and for the past 3 or 4 years I have been learning ASL on my own. I teach art in a local studio and we work closely with the local school for deaf and HH. Recently I have gotten a lot of comments from students and artist that come into the studio and see me signing with the deaf or HH. I always get things like "Wow that is amazing. How did you learn to do that?" or "That must be hard." I always feel like an alien or something because people stare at me while I sign. I love the deaf and HH community and want to be closer! A lot of our local deaf people feel left out and forgotten. Which is why when they come in and I notice they are deaf or HH I always make a point to sign and ask if they want to sign instead. Most of the time their faces light up knowing there are hearing people who know sign! I love you videos. Keep up the great work.

[@katiem6620]

I live in Australia and in my 6 year old nieces school they have started to teach the Australian version of sign language along side the Indonesian language they're already learning. I'm really happy about it and she has already taught me a few of the very basic signs we have here ❤️

[@OceanicMarauder]

I love this video! I'm currently going deaf (still trying to figure out why), learning ASL as an adult has been challenging. I would also like to see schools include Sign Language in the curriculum

[@taxonomygeek]

I was moderately hard of hearing most of my childhood till I lost a bunch more at age 17. I think had more trouble later. Anyway, no one bothered to think about sign or interpreters for me in college. In high school and college I used note takers and I had always used hearing aids and speech reading. When I got ready to go to graduate school in my late 20s, my voc rehab counselor realized I wasn't going to be able to keep up with specialized vocab and grad instructors just speech reading. So, they sent me to the local community college that trains ASL interpreters to take a couple of their courses. You might try going to vocational rehabilitation to see if they can help you out as communication is a daily need. Even if not, see if your local community college has a program, classes are fairly reasonable (you might have to go to a different county in your state, it depends on where you live). Check out and see if/where your local interpreter training is. I have also seen community colleges offer intro to ASL for adult learners (non students). There are also 4 year interpreter programs but their classes will be more expensive. (google search "ASL interpreter classes"). Even with the classes though, like Jessica I'm a signed supported speech user. My interpreters mouth the words along with signing in english order. When I was younger, the parts of the Deaf community really wasn't welcoming of deaf people who grew up hearing/English speaking. They have gotten a lot better now though, from what I hear. Like Jessica, my wife and family and friends are all hearing, my co workers too when I worked.

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

Yeah Deaf Awareness Week! When you said you get a knot in your chest when you think about not being able to communicate with those you love, it made me feel so sad! I’m glad you are going to push those around you to learn sign language! (I’m really looking forward to the skit!)

[@kromeriffic978]

My sign language story is very short at the moment: my son has a moderate hearing loss but my family is otherwise hearing. As you can imagine, I'm scrabbling for BSL resources and saving up for local lessons. I hope your week without hearing aids goes well!

[@terciopelo]

I love this idea. As people with disabilities we're used to trying our hardest to fit in even when it's inconvenient for ourselves, while abled people rarely think of the toll it takes on us!

[@eliza-mai9862]

Hi I recently found your channel and love what you do, I'm also disabled and gay so it's so inspiring to see you explain/tackle/live so well with your lovely wife through your videos! I taught myself sign language several years ago when I was still in school - I'm not deaf but I suffer from selective mutism and a pretty bad stutter due to autism and severe anxiety - and though no one around me knew any, just signing while I spoke gave me a bit more confidence. However when I moved onto (and failed, twice) college and now university, I didn't have time or patience or even confidence to sign around a whole bunch of continuous new people despite becoming increasingly mute and my mental health got worse. Anyway, fast forward a few years, I'm now in therapy with other help and am attending a university course I want to do with a lot of help from the DSA (disability student association). Recently I found my old sign language book again and about the same time found your channel and I have been inspired to relearn signing since it helped me so much before, plus I love to learn things and just think it's so helpful in general for the reasons you said! No one around me knows it still but, actually last night at rehearsal I was signing to songs in the corner and a couple of people afterwards came to me and said they knew some! Anyway I just think it's really important and helpful generally for everyone to know some signs? It just makes sense! Anyway so that's my brief story and I just want to say that I love you and your wife and your videos a whole lot and they're amazing and just keep doing what you're doing, you are beautiful and strong and it's so inspiring. Thank you for reading this far if you did! and Best wishes always xx :) -Elizabeth

[@GrandmotherWindsoftheEarth]

I lost a major part of my hearing as a child and then more in my forties. I am just picking up BSL as I go along and incorporating it into life little by little. my voice is clear unless i am tired. eventually i would like to sign in some of my videos. that would be so good. thank you for the call to action. xxx

[@yas5392]

❤❤❤ this . I work with deaf children and teens. Bsl is a beautiful language. I use bsl and sse to communicate with them

[@CatBarefield]

As a hearing person, not a week goes by where i don’t tell myself « dammit signing would be so useful right now ». I remember reading a story about a place in the States that had a lot of deaf people (Martha’s Vineyard I believe it was) and pretty much everybody could sign. And hearing adults would sign to each other during the mass and hearing kids during school lessons ahaha.. I don’t know if it’s an urban legend but I would love to have that be a thing. Where I’m from there really isn’t much place made for second languages in school but I really wish it were different. It would be awesome to have French, English, the local sign language, and Spanish! When I studied in Germany they had 4 languages in high school and to me that was mindblowing ahahah! I never thought of the potential usefulness of sign language later in life... It’s absolutely not uncommon to hear less and less as an elderly... 🤔

[@izzygough3227]

At my school we have to do an English speaking assessment and im doing mine on my BSL should be on the curriculum. I didn't even know it was deaf awareness week but i will definitely say that. Your videos inspired me to learn sign x

[@lifeonlowbatteries8153]

I can't wait for the other videos this week. I might be inspired to make a short video about my sign language story, even though I'm hearing, in the US, and am learning ASL. ;)

[@nicktheveganchick]

Candice Hickerson 👍

[@CateTenmatay]

I have a story. I'm not hard of hearing at all but when I was in grade school, I learned to sign the alphabet (ASL). Years later, my friends and I encountered a deaf man asking for help on the street. He was trying to ask through sign if he got the correct place. None of us could understand ASL... but I did let him know that I can only sign the alphabet. It was quite a process but we got through it. We helped the man and it is one of the most humbling experiences ever. I still know how to sign the alphabet... you never know when you're going to need it. :) Happy #DeafAwarenessWeek, Jessica. Thank you for all you do.

[@mell0116]

I lost my hearing for about 6 weeks when I was in high School, way back in the mists of time, there was nothing to help me so I stayed at home. When I went back to school when the hearing came back, we had to write a piece describing what it would be like to lose one of our senses, so guess what, I did mine on being deaf, everything that entailed, the feeling of absolute terror as my hearing closed down over the period of 24 hours, the feeling of being totally alone and yes I was the only one in the whole world that had lost the ability to hear..... My piece of writing was ridiculed by the teacher as being total fanatasy, it was given a very low grade, I was furious, I had lived through it and was being made fun of by pupils and teachers. Anyway, sign language should be taught in schools as a core subject, I am HOH, my Son is as well, we made up our own signs when he was growing up which we still use now he is an adult. Have a lovely break in the Lakes and I hope the weather holds fine for you. Thank you for your videos :-)

[@theillusivemermeadbh5994]

The year above me in my secondary school had a deaf girl. This girl was extremely popular and basically her entire year had learnt varying levels of sign language to talk to her and it was wonderful. You'd always see large groups having a conversation in sign language walking down the halls laughing just like everyone else. Sadly I can only sign simple things like the spelling of my name etc but I take pride in my simple ability to sign thank you to the deaf folk I serve in the shop i work in!!

[@allievanillaninja562]

Thanks for a great video Jessica! :D I'm taking my level 3 BSL next month and want to be an interpreter one day. BSL has changed my life and I absolutely love working with the Deaf community. Everyone should learn some signs as it would be so fantastic for raising Deaf awareness :D

[@Jahleesu1]

That's a great idea Jessica! They really should put in more effort to help/ communicate with you! I'm really looking forward to hear how it went! I always wanted to learn a sign language, but i never knew which language to learn and had noone to learn with. Through your videos and tutorials i finally decided to learn BSL/SSE. I daily practice your tutorials and try to gather new vocabulary from your videos. Maybe one day i will meet you and we can sign together ;)

[@redtango76]

I've been watching your vintage style videos and stumbled across a few videos related to your hearing.Over the years, I have experienced numerous encounters with the deaf community.Most of it thru my employment. I spent 7 years as an aircraft mechanic and two of my coworkers were deaf.When I was new it was one of these gentlemen that trained me to do my job.I did not know sign at the time. We used a lot of hand gestures and notebooks to communicate. I watched him perform tasks and then he would guide me as I performed the same task.He was the most patient trainer and I learned so much from him.Eventually, I learned some ASL and a very job specific form of sign. The deaf community outside of my company would probably have no idea what we were talking about. After leaving that job I worked in a position where I encountered the public. I was able to utilize my (less than perfect )ASL and knowledge of deaf culture to assist clients at my new job.I would love to see ASL taught in schools as early as primary school.Currently, I have only known of courses in Junior Colleges near me.I love these videos and find them informative. Thank You!

[@high5times10]

I think sign language is so cool and I have always wanted to learn it! As a kid I even used to watch tv shows made for deaf people. I'm in uni now and study visual communication. For a media production we are doing atm I have been looking into a version of the swedish sign language that is aimed for kids(including baby signs) and people with strong autism/downs who struggle to speak and use signs instead or together with spoken language. So i have been spending weeks looking into signs and trying to illustrate it with the purpose to use it in childrens books. One day i hope I can take a course in sign language but it is a bit expensive and time consuming... and the internet resources for swedish sign language are few and quite bad...

[@jenniferb8981]

Love this! I learned basic asl when I was 15 through my school library. We all thought it was so cool! My best friend was blind, so I guess I just felt the need to learn as much as I could. Then, as an adult I became a nurse and took multiple classes. So for the cause! Love this video!

[@brit9662]

She's amazing! Genuinely inspirational. Not in a patronising way because she's disabled but because of the utter joyousness that flows out of her as she does everything. How can one not feel encouraged to learn sign after this? Personally, I intend to one day, when my health allows

[@lisamoulton2540]

I learned ASL when I was about 10 at a school conference, now I love to sign with my son, no yelling over people just a stern look and a sign ,viola he's 'heard' me.💜💙💛🧡💚 love you Jess and Claude.

[@RobinLillig1997]

Hi Jessica big fan love your hair and makeup tutorials I was deaf from the age of 5 till about 10 years then my hearing came back at that age so I can relate to you a lot thanks to you I’m relearning some sign language from when I was about those ages love you and your channel have a great day

[@MsAndynails]

Another wonderful video Jessica!! Love your work!!❤️❤️❤️

[@soph_c901x]

I love these videos Jessica they’re so informative and interesting ☺️💗

[@Wynnsday]

happy deaf awareness month! love you!!!

[@courtneysmith838]

SO informative!! I can't wait for your comedy sketch! lol

[@darkwingchuck5005]

I took an ASL class in high school but that was many years ago and I've forgotten all of it except for the alphabet. I've heard teaching babies to sign is really great because they can learn to communicate through sign earlier than they can learn to talk.

[@cineselena]

Loved this video! My elementary school was super good about teaching everyone how to sign the national anthem, but I wish they took that further and incorporated the teaching of the actual language and incorporating it into our assemblies at least.

[@sonata.1570]

I’m in America, but I am still in the middle of learning our sign language! Best of luck to you and your loved ones on your journey of signing!

[@jlinwinter]

Hi!! YES! I'm going deaf and I've been having a hard time learning ASL. It just is such a different way of communicating but I feel like I should (and have to) learn since my hearing loss is progressive. I hope the people in your life are starting to sign to you!

[@savannah9712]

Beyond people with deafness, there’s so many other disabilities that are made easier with sign language. As a teenager I babysat for a little boy with autism. He is non verbal and relies on sign language to communicate. So I learned the ASL he used in the day to day. Children who’ve yet to learn to speak or are too upset or overstimulated also benefit from sign language. It’s not particularly difficult to learn but it’s so helpful.

[@StaramarianQueen]

I live in the US and my mom was, at one point, going to college to be a sign language interpreter. She tried teaching me and my brother ASL, but we were so young and didn't have an interest in it, so I never held on to any of it. Now that I'm an adult, I've decided that I want to learn ASL! Stories like yours and other deaf KZbinrs that I watch have helped me realize how important this is! So this is me heeding your call to action! :)

[@lucyjane3194]

Oh I love it! I'm deaf, and I'm 15 so it's hard going through teenage years, I'm trying to teach people in my school about deaf awareness and I'm getting a lot of positive feedback! and I can speak to hearing people but now I'm learning sign language at school and I'm now using sse instead of BSL because SSE is easier! you are a really inspirational person (and my deaf idol) and I want to thank to you! Lucy

[@ashamoss-straw3545]

I love your hair and makeup sm xx

[@hannahlmedia]

I completey agree with having BSL on the school curriculum!!! Im trying to learn sign language and it's harder than I thought. Can't wait for the next videos Jessica, you're such a wonderful person and your videos always cheer me up!💜 xx

[@harleylecter7829]

I've actually been learning to sign because of you! I love learning new things and it's really interesting. Thanks for being fab!

[@ZannaRainbowStarr]

I was so excited to see this video in my subscriptions box, and I can't wait for the other two videos this week!! I've only recently discovered your channel a few weeks back, but I'm so glad that I did. I'm hard of hearing myself (my right ear is almost completely shot), and my left isn't much better, so I too rely heavily on lip reading and context! This video (and your whole channel really) has been such a motivator for me to relearn sign, I'm American so we use ASL, which I always forget is very different from BSL until you start signing in one of your videos, it throws me off guard for just a moment before I remember lol! My mother is an elementary school teacher, and her school used to have a very significant program for deaf students, so I learned ASL through her when I was younger, and I'm hoping she'll teach me again now that I'm old enough to really appreciate it! :) Sending you and Claudia and the puppies love from Florida!

[@secretaltruism4174]

I just wrote several letters to my local and federal MPs to get Auslan in schools. Unlikely, but I hope it happens.

[@clarecurran87]

I learnt Auslan at school and have used it far more than any of the other languages I studied.

[@theak56]

Auslan is one of the language options in the Australian Curriculum, but as with all languages it’s a school based decision, usually dependent on what teachers they can get!

[@renfort3925]

I wish we learnt it at my school. I'm learning it from my dad and a book he got from the course he did on auslan.

[@chelsey8737]

I just love you and your channel. You are so funny and beautiful and you teach me things ive never heard of. Im learning asl on my own so watching you sign bsl is super neat. I'm glad i found you

[@shalacarter6658]

Hi Jessica! I love this video! It's nice to see you signing through the whole video. I live in Nebraska, (which is in America), so I am used to ASL. It's fun to watch BSL! So many things are much harder. Like, your alphabet. At any rate; I had a best friend when I was a kid in Chicago who was Deaf. (Lots of crappy grammar in that last sentence). I knew a few signs. They had the big book of sign language. The dictionary, essentially. So, if we needed a sign, we could go to it. And her Mom would sign to her, mostly. I got so jealous when her Deaf friend from school would come over because they would be rattling off ASL and I was the one who was clueless. At any rate, I went to community college when I was in my 20s to learn ASL. I wanted to be an interpreter. Well, I suck at picking up languages. I can make myself understood, but mostly, i would sit and nod when hanging out with my teachers! :) One of them had a license plate that read "Sign4Me" which I thought was brilliant. Have fun with tormenting your friends. Oh, and you never did tell us how you learned to sign. Cheers!

[@izzydavy7593]

These videos last year are how I found your channel - I’m teaching myself bsl this summer after my gcses, I can do a few words at the moment but want to improve as I want to study audiology and communication at uni xx

[@rubytuckley9277]

Izzy Bell gcses rip good luck mine started today 😣

[@izzydavy7593]

Ruby Tuckley ahh same and thank you! Good luck to you too x

[@annie-centrepiecefurniture]

I love the sign for PuB !! :) ....I can't get enough your channel just found you girls last week love it thank you !!! From Australia !

[@charliegifford2049]

Holy cow I can’t believe it’s been a year since I started watching your videos! Thank you xx

[@goodgirltasha]

I find your videos about sign language and other aspects of hearing loss fascinating! Thank you for being so open about it all

[@LyssaLaane]

This was a great informative video! As usual great job! I really do want to learn sign language!

[@IQzminus2]

I was taught a bit sign language when I was in kindergarten, because we had one kid who was hard of hearing and another kid whos parents had sign language as their first language. We signed about two times a day every day, during assembly. And I loved it. LOVED IT. Every song had movements to them, not just twinkle twinkle little star. It feelt amazing signing a song about batman. And it was better than songs like twinkel twinkel little star, because there were more movements. And it helped with connecting words with what they meant, I remember being 3 years old and being mesmerized about the signs for sandwich, a glass of milk and apple. Because it gave me a new understanding of those words. Now I have lost pretty much all of the language sadly, but I still remember that batman song. So from my own experience growing up, I would have loved to had continued learning sign language at school. Like with most things regarding making our society more accessible, everyone can gain from it. Even though that's far from what's most important with accessibility, its a nice side effect.

[@cupcakexlindsay]

I remember seeing those videos a year ago! I can't believe it's been so long! I love your videos! You've come so far I love your positive energy!

[@foxclouds]

I discovered your channel thanks to the deaf awareness videos you made last year and I have been a huge fan ever since! Not only your videos are fun but also very educational. It inspired me to learn some signs in ASL (since I live in Canada) and I would like to properly learn the language at some point. I have been to many big events and I have noticed some people with hearing disabilities being at disadvantage around hearing people and a lot of noise. It made me wish I could communicate with them too. You also inspired me to finally venture out into retro/vintage style (something I have been really scared to do before). You inspire me so much! Thank you for this lovely video and I totally support the idea of (at the very least) some basic sign language as the part of school curriculum. Thank you so much for everything you do!! ❤️❤️ p.s. You hair is so fabulous!!!

[@CallMeYourSaint]

I can't believe I've been subbed for a year already. Time flies! I've loved to see how your channel has grown

[@atlastsunrise]

What a gorgeous, funny and warm person you are, Jessica. ❤ This is such a perfect video as I started my sign language class at university (German Sign Language though!) a few weeks ago and it is incredibly fascinating! A lovely video ❤

[@tiadeets]

That is a great initiative! I really want to learn a sign language, but I'm changing country every 6 months-1 year these days, but as soon as I'm staying for longer in one country I'll learn the sign language of that country. Sign language can also be really good when you are going non-verbal or as you said, when it's really loud. 😀

[@52deaf]

I love to watching your vlog in Canada. Happy Deaf Week. I use ASL and hard of hearing too but your BSL is still beautiful and SSE is helping for English. It is amazing for different of sign languages. That is a great idea. Thank you for sharing and beautiful.

[@beckycurtis410]

I want to start off by saying I love you and your upbeat personality❤ My son and I have several health issues and sometimes it's hard to see the beauty in life and not always be asking "why us"? You are such an inspiration to me and help me realize you need to enjoy the life you are given instead of feeling sorry for yourself and wishing for something that just can't be. High school's over here normally require students to take a few years of a foreign language and I have never quite understood that because in my life I would have benefited so much more from continuing my ASL education. When I was young I took a course in ASL at the Illinois School for the Deaf in my hometown and yet another course with my mother through the community teaching center when I was a little older. I have forgotten a good portion of what I learned because I don't use it everyday but there have been a few times at my job (working in customer service) that I was able to communicate with my customers and make them feel at ease! When our son was born we started using baby sign language with him and I am so glad we did because he was a late talker and would get frustrated because we couldn't communicate with each other. Once he picked up on the signs things were so much easier and his frustrations subsided! He is now 3 and we use some ASL with him and plan to continue using it as long as he wants to keep learning. When we go places that are too loud or quite and talking is difficult, it is so much easier to communicate with each other using sign language. When we go to a playground it is way easier to ask him if he needs to use the restroom instead of having to holler over a hundred other children! Same thing when we go to the library, instead of having to ask if he needs a snack and disturb all the other children during quiet reading time and have 20 kids sitting in your lap expecting a cookie!

[@Bucherviews]

Yes!! Very proud of you for finally putting your foot down and making the other people in your life make the effort to communicate with you too. I know people find it difficult and scary to learn a new way of communicating, but it's also difficult and scary to have someone talking to you when you can't really hear them! The amount of, for example, hearing parents with deaf children that don't learn how to communicate properly with their own child makes for shocking statistics. I've been learning BSL - I've been a bit slack on it lately (failed one of my level 3 exams, boo) but I could still have an alright conversation with someone deaf/hard of hearing, and it's useful whenever someone deaf comes into where I work. I just wish everyone else could sign too - I have good hearing except for audio processing issues where background noise means I can't pick out sounds that well, and I wish wish WISH that other people in my life could sign to me. It would be so useful in so many situations! EVERYONE should learn at least some of it.

[@MarStam95]

I’m from the Netherlands, and there is a Dutch teenage girl on KZbin who does ‘het gebaar van de dag’ meaning ‘the sign of the day’. She does 10 to 15 second videos teaching one Dutch sign word almost daily. I try to learn one whenever I can. I am not deaf or hearing impaired or have anyone in my life who is. But I feel that it is just nice if I do meet someone who needs sign language to communicate that random hearing people do know it. I can imagine it being quite isolating. So I might not be able to sign fluently, but I’m learning a word at a time.

[@kaitlynpeterson7528]

I think that’s an awesome idea! It would be a challenge to work on signing but hopefully everyone is game to brush up this skills. I love to watch you sign while you speak; it helps me learn about signing

[@ryanhayes5822]

Thank you for making this video, Jessica! It has inspired me to learn sign language. I have a passion for language but as a hearing person I selfishly never thought much about signing. Thank you for educating me and others. You’re amazing💜

[@madisonfreeman5251]

Just found your account and I love it! I’ve always wanted to learn BSL but because of the recent quarantine I actually have the time to! I can’t wait to embark on this journey :)

[@Rawrlikeapie]

i learnt some sign language when we thought my brother was going to lose his hearing enterily. In the end he didn't but im still glad i learnt, sadly im super out of practice and its not aaaammaazzing but im determined to try and re learn what ive forgotten

[@rebecca2401]

Ahh I was so excited when I read the title! I'm trying to learn some sign language to be aware of deaf people around me and maybe show that I care about them. I've only learned the alphabet and some simple sentences yet, but it's so interesting and fun! I wish everyone would learn some at least!

[@beckybaker703]

Your videos from last year's International Week of the Deaf was how I found your channel!! It's been a year, and I have learned SO much from you :)

[@agirlisariot]

in the past year and a half i’ve found myself in the same situation as you in your late teens and it’s terrifying! i’m trying to go back to school but not fluent enough in asl to use an interpreter but not hearing enough to know what’s being said. i’ve gone to a few Deaf coffee chats and made friends but i feel like those of us who have lost our hearing are kind of in a gray area (we use sse, we aren’t always 100% deaf, etc.) and i don’t think hearing people realize that. deafness/hearing loss is not black and white, it’s a very wide, very gray, scale ❤️🤟🏼

[@HOHNancy]

I have been deaf since a toddler. I wore hearing aids and had lots of speech therapy for years. :) I learned a little ASL in a preschool for kids with disabilities, and then most of it starting in high school with deaf/HOH classmates and beyond. I can speak with hearing people. I can totally relate to you about the hearing aids...it's nice and relaxing to have hearing aids off at the end of the day. 🙂

[@lou84]

I'm hearing impaired and finding you on KZbin has been amazing! I'm so excited for this week as I'm able to share how passionate I am about deafness and how we, as deaf people, struggle but still push through with it! Thank you so much for your videos on deafness, they are so comforting to watch and relate t! Lots of love xx

[@ChloeTheBee]

Ahhh I love your videos! I’m an ASL high school student who only really discovered sign language last year and realize my passion for it. I love watching how different ASL and BSL can be! Deaf culture is fascinating and I want to be involved even though I’m hearing. I also try forcing my friends to learn at least the ASL alphabet to read and sign it ^-^

[@notkatherine]

You inspire me!! You are very strong!

[@lucyn9168]

Thank you jessica! amazing video. it was also really good practice for me, as I am learning to sign! :)

[@reycroucher7473]

I've just started learning Auslan (Australian Sign Language) this year and while trying to find signing KZbinrs i came across you! Your channel has helped me understand the deaf culture a lot more from the perspective of someone who lost their hearing gradually, and you have definitely given me the inspiration to keep up in my studies and to push my signing skills further!

[@EmilyofREL]

I love this. So interesting to hear the differences and similarities between our stories: Mine my loss is mild/moderate and I hear fairly well with hearing aids (as far as I know). Same as you, though, my hearing is worse in crowds, if I'm tired or distracted, or if I have a sinus infection. I'm finding more difficulties during my first year of teaching 11-15 year olds! Also totally fascinated by how different ASL/BSL are! And your story of no one thinking to teach you sign, but providing you with interpreters sounds painfully familiar. When I was 10 (2-3 years after I lost my hearing) I was told that I just wasn't listening and my grades were too good so I should go completely unaided for 6 months to prove that my grades would drop. They said behavior problems are common in children who are grieving (my triplet sister had passed away about a year prior). We fought tooth and nail for months while I was socially isolated and shy and falling behind in most of my subjects. Ugh. Thank you for sharing

[@katiesimmons97ks]

I was born with unilateral SNHL (or nerve deafness) in my right ear. Until age 13 or so I wore a hearing aid (that greatly helped) but stopped because I felt embarrassed. (And the squeaking!) Now that I'm 21, my hearing has gotten progressively worse and I want to 'get in' to the Deaf community but feel so left out/like I don't belong in the HoH/Deaf community 😭 I'm so glad I've found your videos, greetings from the US! ♥️

[@gabriellaboyle2433]

thank you for a great video, for Deaf awareness week. I was born deaf and now wear hearing aid and a implant. I also sign BSL too, and lip read. It such a great communication to use. Lets get BSL in the school cirrumlum!! Thank you once again and for your story. Happy Deaf awareness week. Have a great week :-)

[@o0Avalon0o]

This is great! I wish your loved ones good luck! I need to learn ASL again! When I was a child I learned some sign language to communicate with my foreign grandfather. He was going deaf and couldn't speak any English. I think everyone should be learning a form of sign language as toddlers! It's so useful!!!

[@janedoe6417]

Hi Jessica, big big love from the Reunion Island. You r amazing ! Thank you for being who u r. YES ! We can, we all have to learn how to communicate with the largest (best ?) part of the Humanity. Happy deafness week

[@lexieallard7021]

I would love to learn sign language & I've attempted to teach myself but it hasn't gone well. I think that sign language is an amazing ability & I love watching it even though I can fully hear. Love your videos!!

[@dariaretouriste3002]

Your every video is a delight to watch! You are so charming, you have such a pleasant voice and speaking manner. Every time I watch your videos, I just feel so much better, you just heal my soul. Do you have any advice to people who want to learn sign language, but don't know how to begin?

[@Ash-up9gl]

Loved this video! Also super happy that I understood 90% of the signs in it! Woooo! I'm a student studying level 1 BSL at the moment, and most certainly plan to go further with it. Sign is great! It would be incredible if everyone had at least a basic understanding of the sign language for their country. :)

[@gabochetetedecaboche]

Well another argument you could add to the list is people in hospitals. When you can't talk for whatever reason whilst at the hospital, sign language could really help ! If only doctors and nurses and regular patients knew how to sign I think there would be better understanding on each side I should probably say I'm hearing and don't know any word in sign language. I wish it were mandatory in my country too

[@iseydelmar]

I am a doctor and I completely agree, communication is fundamental!! The only problem is there are so many languages to learn... I can speak 5 languages and most of the times when I get foreign patients I can't speak theirs, it's so frustrating :(

[@SohiTheTinyKittenHuman]

I’m taking sign for this very reason and want to become a nurse.

[@PiccoloPirate86]

I took a class in ASL🇺🇸 when I was in University - and what little I know/remember has been so helpful... I worked at a restaurant for a while and had a couple who signed, and they became regular customers. 💜 I really enjoy your videos for so many reasons. Your personality, perspective, style.... all lovely and special!!! I also really enjoy watching you sign - it’s feels like knowing one language and see how it could fit with other... (like Spanish and Italian!) Thank you for making this video - I can’t wait to see more of your creations!

[@kimseymour5250]

I’m fully behind you taking a stand! It’s taken me far too long to get into learning sign language, and like you I’m trying to learn through books because I just cannot afford the course. I really hope one day they’ll consider discounts on the courses for families and friends of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. There are many options for children to learn but not adults without spending a lot of money. There is so much progress happening with deaf awareness lately I am so happy :) hopefully future generations will not have to struggle so much with all the work everyone is putting in :) thank you Jessica!

[@taxonomygeek]

Hi Jessica. I relate to you in so many ways, even if I could easily be your aunt *gulp*. I was moderately hard of hearing most of my childhood till I lost a bunch more at age 17. I then lost a bit more later in my 20s. I have a combination of nerve loss from unknown etiology and from labyrinthitis, as well as conductive loss because my inner ear bones are not correctly formed due to a collagen disorder. Anyway, no one bothered to think about sign or interpreters for me after my sudden decrease in hearing either. In high school and college I used note takers and I had always used hearing aids and speech reading. When I got ready to go to graduate school in my late 20s, my voc rehab counselor realized I wasn't going to be able to keep up with specialized vocab and grad instructors just speech reading. So, they sent me to the local community college that trains ASL interpreters to take a couple of their courses. Even with the classes though, like you, I'm a signed supported speech user. My interpreters mouth the words along with signing in english order. When I was younger, the parts of the Deaf community really wasn't welcoming of deaf people who grew up hearing/English speaking. In addition, the community near me was more conservative than the surrounding hearing community and so I did not find my gay deaf people :( They have gotten a lot better now though, from what I hear. When I was taking classes, there were local groups of hearing/Deaf meet ups that would practice sign at local restaurants and parks. Like you, my wife and family and friends are all hearing, my co workers too when I worked. My wife does know a bit of sign. I started off with signs we'd use in a busy restaurant/bar (toilet, you ok?, ready?, dance?, yes/no) sprinkled in some curse words (that always pulls them in!). Look out though, you might find Claud making up her own signs when she doesn't know something. That can get wild. I'm finding that my wife still relies more on me hearing her and guessing what she is saying. I do admit that I'm horrible about taking advantage of the magic abilities of the hearing to hear from the other room -- only I tend to overestimate what they can hear. My speech is also considered above average for my degree of loss. First, I had better hearing in spurts when I was young (when I didn't have my frequent ear infections!) Second, my mom worked with me incessantly. Third, I had speech therapy. and fourth, I took singing lessons and theater (which emphasize vocal control and diction). My biggest problem speech wise is modulating my loudness/quietness. Having good speech means that everyone around you forgets *just* how bad your hearing is/or you have new people who don't quite believe it. That can also make it challenging to get people around you to sign.

[@fronkoreoandthewhisks7955]

i'm v excited for the sketch