Gemma's Surprise

Gemma's Surprise

Sitting in the back of the classroom, a young lady quietly watches the woman at the front of the room sign as the professor speaks to the class. Gemma sighs heavily as she sees the interpreter announce a test. Gemma knew she wasn't ready for it. The interpreter tells Gemma she can leave when she is done with the test. Gemma quickly finishes her test and puts her things in her bag before taking the test up to the professor. As she leaves the classroom, the interpreter quickly follows her out. “What's wrong, Gemma?”, signs the concerned interpreter who was now facing Gemma. “I hate being deaf, Illinois. I feel so alone here. Besides you no one else here signs and they don't even try to talk to me. I can read lips.”, signs Gemma. “I know it has been hard for you here, Gemma.”, signs Illinois. “This college is nothing like my high school was. At least there I had friends who talked or signed to me. I thought that being here would also give me more opportunities and career options but everything I talked to my advisor about I get told, “You have to be able to hear with that”., continues Gemma sadly.

Gemma and Illinois silently walk to Gemma's creative writing class. “This is my favorite class. At least here, I can pour out everything I think and feel into being creative. That's one thing you don't need to be able to hear in order to do.”, Gemma signs as they walk in her mood her mood brightening a little. The teacher has written some notices on the board. Gemma sits in her seat near the front of the classroom and starts copying the notices as her classmates trickle in chatting and looking around. “Okay class, it's to to work on some writing. Your assignment for today is a little different than our usual creative exercises. Today you have to write a 1,000 word piece on how to communicate with someone who has a disability. Be as creative as you want but remember to also be realistic in your answers.”, the professor says once everyone has taken their seats. Illinois quickly translates and smiles broadly as she looks at Gemma. The rest of the class groans loudly and starts grumbling and murmuring as Gemma quickly begins writing. “The best way to communicate with someone who has a disability depends on their particular disability. Often people with disabilities just want to be treated like everyone else. So don't be afraid to approach them and while facing them just start talking to them. Depending on the person's disability you may have to speak slowly and clearly for them to read your lips or process what you are saying. Or you may need to use sign language or an interpreter.” Gemma pauses for a moment and looks at Illinois who is chatting and signing with the professor. Gemma gives them a small smile and turns back to her writing.

Gemma becomes so engrossed in her writing that when looks up again she notices that all the other students have gone and the only other one in the classroom were Illinois. “Where did everyone go?”, Gemma asked. “Class ended a half hour ago. We didn't want ti disturb you while you were in the zone”, Illinois told her. Gemma smiled and nodded, “Let's go drop this off at the professor's office, then we can get something to eat on the way home.”, Gemma tells Illinois. They walk to the English building which houses the offices, Gemma couldn't help smiling as she thought about her writing assignment. They reach the English building and head straight to the professor's office. Upon reaching the professor's office, Gemma notices the door is closed and locked with a note taped. “At the library, meet me here.”. Gemma and Illinois look at each other and back at the note then at each other again. “I guess we're heading to the library.”, Gemma says to Illinois as they turn to leave the English building and head to meet the professor at the library across campus from the English building. Once at the library, they walk in and immediately Gemma spots her professor in the center of the room with her entire creative writing class. They were practicing the alphabet in American Sign Language. Gemma watched as the professor was going around to each one of the classmates and helping them position their fingers properly. As Gemma and Illinois watch the class they smile to themselves. Just then the professor sees them and walks over.

“Hey Gemma, hey Illinois, glad you two could make it. Gemma, we noticed that you have been feeling like you don”t belong here and that you really haven't made many friends since you've been here so we created a plan. We've been meeting here every week to learn and practice so that we could communicate with you. ”, explained the professor. Gemma smiled and tears welled up in her eyes when her classmates one by one came up to her and began introducing themselves to her both in spoken and sign. “This is such a great surprise. I really don't know what to say. Thank you all”, Gemma says as tears gently slide down her face.

As the months pass Gemma's classmates practice signing with her each and every day and becoming such good friends.