My Experience With American Association Of The Deaf And Blind (AADB) Essay Examples

I found the chance to visit the American Association of the Deaf and Blind (AADB), a national organization that helps people who are both blind and deaf. This paper is a presentation of my experience with the organization that o visited one week ago.
After completing my college education some years ago, I offered my services as an interpreter at a deaf-blind convention in Bedford, Texas. Specifically, I role was to act as a special service provider for one of the delegates who would be attending the convention. I was more than willing to accept the offer, and the guest would arrive on Sunday, a week after schools close for summer. After signing a contract to interpret for two weeks, I was given the name of the delegate, Allan. I would assist him throughout his stay, 100 percent of the time.
Before taking this role, I attended Phoenix University, New York, for special education on instructions on how to interpret for those who are blind and deaf. Armed with the skills and knowledge gained from skilled instructors at Phoenix, I was very delighted at the idea of attending an AADB convention for the first time.
Upon arriving in Bedford to begin my two-week assignment on interpretation, I received greeting from a multitude of people. The convention must have attracted more than 500 blind and deaf people of varying ages, with more than 900 volunteer-interpreters. You cannot imagine the initial shock that I received from the scene. I did not foresee it as a huge gathering of people, nor did I envision how my two-week participation would change my entire life. I was then introduced to my new assignment, to help Allan whom I had not met or talked to before arriving in Bedford. However, I had talked with her mother over the phone two weeks before the convention.
His mother had informed me that Allan was not only blind/deaf, but also suffered from severe diabetic. Despite all these, Allan did not shy away from attending all the workshops, he could to gather information. Throughout the two-week period, we got along together. He attended many workshops about technology, how he could use it to improve his life. For sure, the week went very fast and I could not believe that it was time to head back home. The volunteer work gave both of us a wonderful experience and I have returned to volunteer as an interpreter many times since then.
Before boarding my flight back home, Allan informed me that he would be happy to visit my hometown, to which I accepted immediately. Allan told me that he is from Michigan and that he lives with his mother who helps him in everyday life. Allan also told me that he is planning to visit Leader Dog, a school for the blind that is only one miles from where I stay. I was extremely excited to hear about this, and when I asked him when he would travel, he told me that he was scheduled to travel in a week’s time. When I inquired more about the details of his travel, he told me that he was coming to train with Conrad, a dog who received specialized training to work with the blind and deaf. I again volunteered for more than a month for him while he trained with his new Leader Dog. Undoubtedly, it was one of the honorable moments in my life.
My interaction with the deaf community has provided me with many life-changing experiences. The events that have shaped my life most, including my decision attend conventions and to teach high school and collegiate level, is directly related to my decision to embark on an intimate relationship with American Sign Language. Attending such conventions has enabled me to meet with incredibly wonderful people, who just happen to be blind or deaf, that I would otherwise not found the chance to meet or know. They have made a positive influence in my life. They have not only touched my heart, but also lighted a candle of joy in my heart.
I find it amazing to realize that the skills I gained from a college course could equip me with new skills that I would use when assigned to work with Allan, one of the first blind and deaf individual I have ever met. He was a very extraordinary person, and anyone who knew would be amazed by the accuracy of his statements. He was one of a kind who seem to pass this way but once in a lifetime. It was unfortunate that Allan succumbed to diabetes a few years ago, at a young age of 25. Despite all these, I am sure that his life and legacy will love on forever within the hearts of the few people who were fortunate enough to meet and interact with him. I pray for Allan’s soul to rest in peace until we meet again.