Beginning... How I came to ASL .

ASl came into my life recently. I was lucky enough at this stage in my life to have the ones who love me the very most direct me to American Sign Language.
About two years ago I began a course with Kindermusik International that is an excellent training and program for music and dance education applied towards infants through about age 7 . It is developed to teach primarily parents and children how to sing and dance and learn music theory. I can not say enough of it and you can look up classes near you by searching for Kindermusik International A Class Near You. In this training they offered a different program called Sing and Sign. Kindermusik offered materials for beginning ASL Based Baby Sign Language and there is where it started.
From this my one of my parents from my theater class Willits Young Actors told me she used ASL. I invited her to my class and she volunteered many times to help me teach.. She is part of an amazing Photography studio called Greystar Studios.. They are fantastic !
Angela told me after signing with me in class one day her brothers signed and that one of her brothers was totally deaf .
I later found out that this man was living in town and I arranged to have him come to class and teach asl to my theater students. It had been my dream to produce a bilingual production with my kids and when I knew I had him Alvin on board.. I began writing the script for ASl and English speaking characters.

It was not that easy...
ASL is NOT English.. dah... little did I know. and to sign out an entire production with dancing and singing was not going to happen in three months time. When I put all that together I realized that I needed Alvin's help.. Alvin Lau corrected and adapted our script for ASL and English audiences and from there it was just a matter of me learning the asl to interpret for our production only a few months away... again.. I was a dork.. but I did manage to crash course the script.
But BUT ! To interpret a production is different then signing it. .. Way different
I have such respect for my dear friends who took it on and did it all at the last minute for me.
Sienna Stone , Angela Greystar and Alvin Lau all translated for our Audience so they could see the ASL and hear the spoken english during this show.. Thank you to the Willits Shakespeare Club for also making it happen and Willits Magic Movement Ballet company Sheryl Guard for making it a success.
The parents and for the largest part the kids ages infants to age 14 ish..

After seeing this as a widely accepted way of communicating I decided I was going to go back to school and learn ASL and Deaf Culture.  So I did. at 53 I am returning to school to learn ASL.

The rest of this blog is information for those who want to know more about my life and my work with ASL and communication of any nature really.
I titled this blog " I See What Your Saying. " A blog of Modern Musings For Everyone.

If you want to learn more about Deaf Culture and ASL visit my favorite on line school ASL U with Bill Vicars.. I love his work.

Sending you from my heart a big huge thank you for reading my work and I hope you glean from it.
ASL Should be taught in the school systems .. It should be used for those in need of improving their understanding of Man/ Woman Kind.. To look at someone and feel what they are saying to you is a great gift to yourself and others.

I hope you see what I am saying. as I search to do the same for you..
In music .. art... ASL.. ESL What ever moves you .. You can write to me at
themuseinwillits@gmail.com

In the mean time.. Grab a class on line or at school learn ASL
You will love it .. I am sure..

Brightest Blessings
From my heart to yours..
Mana Young