Category: Deaf

People and activities in the Cambodian deaf world

Signs of decency not wanted

In the past, American Sign language interpreters were provided for White House press briefings and other events so that U.S. deaf people could understand. The Trump White House ended that practice, saying it “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public.”

The White House has a point. Trump has presented an image of one who mocks people with disabilities; routinely verbally abuses and disrespects people; is against inclusion; and flouts and ignores laws that he doesn’t like. Facilitating communications for deaf people could intrude on the negative image that he has created.

The National Association of the Deaf is suing to have sign language interpreting restored at the White House.

Visiting Bardstown

When I left Louisville for deaf work in Asia, Fr. Randy Hubbard replaced me in deaf ministry and kept thing going. Now he has been made pastor of the St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, 50 miles from Louisville. Today some of the Catholic deaf group in Louisville went to visit him.

Afterwards we went to a local restaurant and continued our conversations and comradery.

I’ve been here before….

50+ years ago I used to have my hair cut at the Tri-City Barber College in Louisville. Then I went to Asia for 42 years, and for the last 20+years in Cambodia I had my own barber school, a job training program for deaf youth.

Today I returned to Tri-City after the long absence. It’s in a different location and the staff I knew are no longer there. The same could be said for a lot of my hair: it’s no longer there. But I got a cut from Eli, a delightful young man, eager to please, and he only charged me $7!

Mass of the Air for the Deaf

Almost fifty years ago, Mass of the Air began broadcasting on Louisville television to allow home-bound people to have at least limited access to Sunday mass. Many volunteers have helped to provide this service, including sign language interpreters and prompters. Above, Nancy Reynolds (L) is signing American Sign Language and Peg Darcy is prompting her to make sure the communications are clear and understandable. Both Nancy and Peg have been part of the Catholic deaf community for more than 40 years, serving our deaf brothers and sisters in many ways.

St. Joseph Farewell for Charlie

Today at the 10:30 AM mass we had a farewell for Charlie. This was his last mass with the English Catholic Community in Phnom Penh before returning to the United States tomorrow.

At the homily Charlie spoke of faith, not as assent to a series theological statements but rather a force that leads us to do as Jesus asks us.
A special part of this liturgy was the presence of deaf people and staff (front row, all Buddhist) from the Deaf Development Programme with Maryknoll Lay Missioner Julie Lawler interpreting in Cambodian Sign Language for them.
After some reflections there was time to take photos of various groups within our English Catholic Community. Here are the various liturgical ministers who serve our community.

Another goodbye

Today four of the interpreters and staff of DDP invited me to lunch to say goodbye. It was really good to catch up with them–and they also gave me the pictured silk shirt!

DDP Farewell for Charlie

Our DDP students learned a traditional Cambodian dance. It is extra difficult for them to dance without the music.

Then I had a chance speak of my 25 years at DDP.

The deaf people were invited to speak and Samath spoke of the very early days of the Deaf Development Programme.

Saphaek from the UN Human Rights office spoke about working with DDP.

Then it was time to eat.