As a team, we thought it might be nice to introduce ourselves and share our individual stories. Each of us represents different aspects of the ASL/Deaf Community. We hope this helps you relate to and better understand why we are fighting to keep the USU Bi/Bi Program.
Have a story you’d like to share? Send your story and a picture to contact@hellobibi.org.
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I am Dereck Hooley. I am profoundly Deaf. I was born hearing until l I was 7 months old when I got Spinal meningitis. I was super sick and stayed in the hospital for 10 days. I grew up going to hearing school. All those years I had many hearing and Deaf teachers. Many of these teachers graduated from the Deaf Ed program at USU. I learned a lot of things like understanding myself, understanding things around the world, and they helped me show me that Deaf people can do anything. They taught me English, Math, Science, and many other things because they are able to give me full ASL access. This allowed me to be just like everyone and get equal education as hearing people.
The Deaf program helped me grow up and I become who I am today. One of the jobs I’ve had was as a construction worker. The owner of the business was Deaf. My boss shows me that Deaf people CAN do anything and he wonderful example because he is the owner of his own business. They do have many challenges just like I have due communicate with hearing. However, they always fight and work very hard to SHOW to hearing people that WE CAN DO IT.
I know the BIBI Deaf Ed program is so valuable to me and the Deaf community. I know the program will benefit Deaf children and help them to develop, to get full access to communication, and gain knowledge just like what I did and am still doing now.
After my dad and my biological mother divorced when I was 4. My stepmom taught me ASL when I was about 4 to 5 years old. I don’t know any ASL but just basic home signs. My grandpa used to work at USU and he hired my stepmom to teach my entire family to learn ASL. He did this so they could learn to communicate with me right before my dad and her got married. It was amazing! When they got married she helped raised me with full ASL. She was never a “step” mom to me, just my mom.
All these years I have learned so much and many of my friends learned ASL so I could hang out with them. I was involved in young men, camps, scouts, church, etc…They were able to communicate with me with ASL because they didn’t want me to feel left out.
I served an ASL LDS mission for two years. My dad and my mom ALWAYS made sure I was involved in any conversation with anyone when I am with them. They understand how important it is to me, and they showed me that I am equal to everyone even people who don’t understand. I have many experiences with people who don’t understand and think I can’t do anything. For example, Long ago when I turned 16 years old, I bought an old truck. My dad told me that someone came to him and said I CAN’T drive because I am Deaf. He told that person that I was a way better driver than hearing people because I focus very hard when I drive. I can see sirens on cop cars, fire trucks, or ambulances before they can hear it.
I am thankful I have a great family that knows ASL and Deaf culture. They know how important the Deaf Ed program is. They know that the impacts cutting the program at USU will have on Deaf children, the Deaf community, and myself. I’m FIGHTING hard and as much as I can to SAVE the Deaf ED program. I will FIGHT to keep the program to STAY at Utah State University. The program at USU is very strong and HIGH QUALITY. One of the best in the country. I will be the voice for Deaf children and the Deaf community. I will be loud so everyone will recognize how important the program is and they will want to fight with us!
Hello Bibi 