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1 " Does being deaf determine my worth? "
― Ann Clare LeZotte , Show Me a Sign
2 " Silence. I'm sure that many hearing people, especially those who don't know the deaf, imagine our lives are filled with silence. That's not true. If my mind and heart are full of energy and fun, and I'm looking ahead with excitement, I don't feel silent at all. I buzz like a bee in good times. Only in bad times, when I am numb and full of sadness, does everything turn silent. Like out house with just Mama and me in it. "
3 " Deafness is not an affliction. The only thing is stops me from doing is hearing. "
4 " I'm afraid so," Papa signs. "We can't hide from our ancestors' misdeeds."I interrupt. "But we can make our own choices now. "
5 " The way my mind thinks is not just in signs or English words and sentences, but in images and a flow of feeling that I imagine resembles the music I’ve never heard. "
6 " Proverbs 31:8–9: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. "
7 " Andrew perseveres. “And most of them reside in asylums or beg for alms on the street. They are not capable of earning their keep. "
8 " Our Lord, there is nothing in this life that is a surprise to You. You see our daily struggles and give us strength to endure through the power of Your Spirit. Create in us clean hearts and help us to remember that our strength comes from You alone. Amen. "
9 " Silence. I’m sure that many hearing people, especially those who don’t know the deaf, imagine our lives are filled with silence. That’s not true. If my mind and heart are full of energy and fun, and I’m looking ahead with excitement, I don’t feel silent at all. I buzz like a bee in good times. Only in bad times, when I am numb and full of sadness, does everything turn silent. Like our house with just Mama and me in it. "
10 " Deafness is not an affliction. The only thing it stops me from doing is hearing. "
11 " First look inside yourself. Make yourself the best person you can be. People will be influenced by your example. "
12 " We won’t ever forget them. "
13 " No,” Andrew says, laughing. He turns away from Papa and directs his response toward Mama and Reverend Lee. That is considered rude in our society. I’ll excuse him because he is unaware of our customs. There must be fewer deaf people where he comes from. "
14 " She blushes and stammers with her hands. "
15 " Mama pushes her chair back from the table so she can interpret spoken words for me and Papa, and sign language for Andrew. Nancy and Reverend Lee listen and watch. "
16 " Andrew is answering Papa’s question but again speaking directly to Mama. Why won’t he address Papa? "
17 " Andrew continues, “The sailor in the New Haven tavern explained to me that there are a large number of deaf and dumb in your town. I can see for myself that is true.” “It has always been that way,” Nancy blurts out, expressing what I’m thinking. “At least, since Mary’s great-great-grandfather Jonathan Lambert arrived on the island.” Andrew glances at Nancy in a way that makes me realize he is the kind of person who thinks children should be seen rather than heard. Mama has commented on Nancy’s poor manners in the past, but now looks at her more sympathetically. “It is true,” Mama signs. “It is nothing unusual. "
18 " A good interpreter does not censor for his audience and lets them draw their own conclusions. But I wonder if Mama feels awkward interpreting Andrew’s speech. "
19 " Why should the deaf be different anywhere else? Why shouldn’t they be seamen like Ezra Brewer or run sheep farms like Papa and Mr. Skiffe? "
20 " Andrew Noble continues. “It is a marvel that you can keep up cheer and live such a civilized life away from the lively activity of Boston. "
