We are so blessed in the United States to have schools for the Deaf. Many less wealthy countries do not have that as an option, therefore Deaf people are left with little to no language and if they are lucky enough they are stuck to pan handle, do manual labor, or some other physically demanding job in order to get by. The hearing people also have little to no understanding of what a deaf person has to go through as a result of their lack of resources.
I have many deaf friends. All of them are well educated, bi-lingual, hard working citizens. The only way they were able to become successful is because of their excellent education at schools designed to help the Deaf develop their own culture and language while immersing them in the "hearing world" with the skills they need to be successful.
There's a book called "A Man Without Words". In this book a family comes to the United States, one of the family members is deaf. This was a grown man with absolutely no language! I could hardly believe it. He was never taught Sign Language, to read or write, he didn't even know what a map or calendar was and had never celebrated a birthday. The family enrolled him in an ASL class with the hope he would develop language, what he got was so much more. The book is written from the Teachers Assistant's perspective. It's about their journey and how much they learned from each other. It is the most devastating and uplifting non-fiction book I have ever encountered.
The moment I heard the book existed I decided I was going to travel the world and establish schools for the Deaf so they would be able to have the same education, support, and resources that my friends had. Then I would set up vocational programs so employers would understand how to accommodate for the needs their deaf employees.
We ALL have the ability to be successful with the right resources, they just need the resources and I can bring it to them.
I went online but I couldn't find the major "Change the World" or "Teaching Different Sign Languages Around the World" or even "Start Schools for the Deaf Internationally". So, I met with an Academic Advisor at the University of Phoenix in Santa Clara California. We found the Major that best fit my long-term goals, which is Bachelor of Science in Human Services/Management. I will also attend Ohlone College and receive either an Associates Degree in Deaf Education/Deaf Culture or a Certificate in Deaf Studies. From there I can decide if I am going to get another degree or certificate or if I am ready to go change the world.
Currently I am a full-time Foster Mom for 14 year old twin boys who are Severely Emotionally Disturbed, on the Autistic Spectrum, have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and one of them has Reactive Attachment Disorder. I have always been in some sort of service. I have done many things from working in soup kitchens, work at a camp for children and adults with developmental disabilities, helping alcoholics and addicts find recovery, to being a Foster Mom. When I discovered the way the University of Phoenix's class schedule works, I was very excited. I can fulfill my dreams of serving God's kids, be an Awesome Mom and go to school!
Any financial support will be much appreciated. Thank you for your time!