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American Sign Language in Italy
Wagon Road Camp to Teaching American Sign Language in Fermo, Italy
Many years ago, I found myself immersed in a transformative experience at Camp Wagon Road in Chappaqua, New York, where I worked with disabled students alongside Deaf counselors and peers. Little did I know then that this encounter would shape the trajectory of my life in profound ways. American Sign Language (ASL) became the conduit through which I connected with these individuals, and its visual communication resonated deeply within me, sparking a newfound sense of purpose and understanding.
Initially, my grasp of ASL was rudimentary, observing Deaf peers conversing with remarkable speed and complexity, leaving me in awe of their linguistic fluency. As an English major in college, I was no stranger to the intricacies of language, yet ASL presented a unique dimension that stirred something within me. Despite initial challenges, the simplicity and specificity of ASL’s visual nature captivated me, driving me to delve…