...so much more than "just" an interpreter.

When I first was introduced to the Deaf world/culture, it didn't seem that different than my own. I had some friends (Deaf) who took me under their wing and welcomed me into their family. That is where the language was born onto my own hands. Ahh..what a beautiful and exciting time. From my first look into the Deaf culture, the only thing that seemed different was the obvious, they can't hear and they have a different language.

As time went on, I made more and more friends and I was more and more welcomed. I was not "learning how to become an interpreter". I didn't even KNOW about interpreting at that time. I was very "young". All I saw was I had friends.

Years later, and now I am looking back to those first encounters. So much has happened in that time, and I don't feel so young anymore. I've been hurt, I have hurt, I've been betrayed, I have betrayed, I've been judged and I've also judged.

Its a tough spot to be in the middle of two different cultures. To be in the middle of hearing and Deaf. To be honest, sometimes I envy the Deaf culture and their closeness. I have learned so much from the friends I have/had that it has changed my life greatly.

I have not met many interpreters who are connected to the Deaf community the way I am. Not just with what events you set up or how you "give back", but actually have a heart to heart connection. The only other interpreters I have seen this from are CODA's. I am not a CODA and I don't pretend to understand completely what it is like to be a CODA. BUT, I do think there should be a title for what I am. I mean, I didn't go to school to learn sign language. I learned it the same way a CODA would, (except that it was not my first language), from Deaf people. I didn't go to school to study the culture, I feel the culture within me. It came naturally. So what am I? I feel so much more than just an interpreter.