Signing Time - Leah is going to Ghana, Africa

[worldwidepoet]

it takes alot of patience and alot of determination to get good speech when you are deaf. I first went deaf when I was 2 in my left ear, then again at age 8 in my right (due to chronic ear infections). I stopped talking for a year before being put into a class with my peers. Sign language had become my second language, and speech therapy followed. I give Kudos to Rachel and her daughters Kudos for being amazing role models. You can show the world that you can overcome any obstacle.

[horsesareme123]

@DolleLovez she started talking at seven I think. She was born deaf, and her family found out when she was one.

[0314bacontacos]

this is y i wanna learn asl its amazing

[showmeasign]

I do not mean to be insulting but I can see the responses are borderline audist & it is very important that people realize that speech is not for most Deaf. ASL is a beautiful language and should be celebrated..not changed to meet the needs of hearing people. My son is HOH and grew up on ST. He is really upset now..in his room and says he doesn't want to see it again. Just our opinion.

[showmeasign]

Leah is a beautiful girl..BUT I was really disappointed showing this to my kids. ASL is ASL..that is signed English! My son was really upset and signing "hearing-on-forehead." I feel strongly that the word "D'eaf should be properly shown & that kids need to see ASL. It is it's own language! Please try to show that.

[HoneyLissaBee]

@showmeasign I think it makes sense that she's doing "signed English" as you put it. Keep in mind that her family (including her parents who introduced her to sign) are all hearing, so they probably just started "translating" their own words literally.

[purplewowies]

@HoneyLissaBee Also, she is doing simcom in this clip, so it makes sense that she'd sign in PSE/English order. That doesn't mean she doesn't use ASL in her daily life.

[aliabetha]

Leah was 13 months old when she was found to be profoundly deaf. She speaks so clearly, in part, because of her cochlear implant that allows her to "hear" in a similar-yet-different fashion from those who aren't hard of hearing. Our family loves Signing Time and my son is one of the, dare I say, thousands of children who have found a voice through watching Alex and Leah. Thank you Rachel and Emilie for all that you do!

[sammy032499]

see so cute my litter brother love you show i do to

[lbiela]

Brought tears to my eyes. I hope my autistic twins will one day do as well. Congrats!

[Muggle423]

Wow, she talks very well and is very clear.

[juicyjujubean14]

She's so cute and very brave

[lpenny28]

Watch

"Clickin' For Love Trailer"

[jb55101]

I thing was great i was born in south africa and i am deaf i didnt sign at all as kid so and i know how hard it can be when u want to say somthing and u have no way of doing it. i was labled as deaf and dumb and im sure alot of other deaf children heard that or was called that. i move to the usa and meeting other deaf kids and having a voice was asome thank you leah.

[sskgrs]

Awesome Leah!!! Couple of years ago I use to work for a deaf Manager at a big software firm who graduated from a IVY league college. He taught me ASL and I could communicate with him without the asl interpreter in no time. Sky is the limit for a person can do with determination with or without a handicap.

[coastielife]

How awesome! That is great!

[enchilada01]

Perhaps politicians can learn a little from a little girl with a big heart!

[azmomoffive]

My name is Nancy Gale 22 year old. hey I'm LDS 2. I love Leah because she know ASL. I know ASL 2. I hearing. I like to talk with my hand. I have DVD of Signing time. I don't like to talk. Did Leah like talk?

Love,

Nancy

[lillost]

wonderful! it's soo great to see a little girl like you take interest in other people! i wish u the best in Ghana! inspiring!

[100flyingfish]

that is seriously good talking for a deaf person

[DolleLovez]

@100flyingfish she probaly became deaf after 4 if something so she knows a few words

if she didnt im very happy still she know so much :)

[WonderfulAkari]

@100flyingfish and she's so young too.

[emyauntiewho]

My mom and I love Signing Time! I'm 17 and hard of hearing and taking ASL as a second language, although I do know a bit from when I was a kid. We watch the videos and love them! Thanks!

[sabrina200910]

I think is awesome what u guys are doingi 17 and i learned how to sign with my little sister watching ur videos neither of us is deaf but where i work we had three guys who where deaf and it helped me comunicate alittle with them they had a good laugh bc i sign so slow-- Sabrina

[YANSA79]

Wonderful!

[luvtosign]

BEAUTIFUL!

[JonassSISTASS]

My name is also Leah but I spell it Lea or Leiah and Im am not deaf but I am hard of hearing which means I have hearing aids. But my hearing aid doctor goes to Africa and give african kids hearing aids.

[metalgreen777]

Good Luck Leah!

[OnyxEmpress]

On behalf of Ghanaian people (Deaf and hearing) thank you!!

[LovenoxMom]

Leah you are awesome!!!

[msnickjonas101]

wow leah how old are you i bet your older than me  im 11 and im learning asl.peace.goodluck on your trip.peace again-marlyn

[hottietomalie1]

she is deaf thats why... she learned how to speak but msnickjonas101good luck learning asl. and leah is an amazing girl!!

[victorianyst]

The SL in Ghana is not the same as ASL. Although it is based on ASL, it has a vocabulary that is different from ASL right now. It is very good that Leah cares about people in the world. Her presence probably raises awareness about the possibilities of deaf people. It will also be a very learnful experience to Leah herself. Caution: it is time that welearn that we cannot simply set out to go and teach people our thing when we have not informed ourselves about what is locally present.

[SigningTimeRachel]

Good point!  Formal deaf education in Ghana was set up by a Deaf American man who graduated from Gallaudet.

Our experience in Ghana was that the similarities in the language outweighed the differences. We enjoyed learning the vocabulary that is different and it did not pose any communication problems.

[asigninghand]

That's so awesome what you are doing Leah, went I get older I what to go to Africa and teach the deaf sign language. I have a great love for the deaf people. Thanks for all you do!!! You are a blessing to alot of people. God Bless!!! Corene

[pkcrume]

Leah, Hope it's a good experience for you. I taught at school for the deaf in Kenya for 2 years when I in the Peace Corps and you can too when you are older. Deaf people in Kenya also have their own sign language, Kenya Sign Language. I'm sure when you're in Ghana you notice that there is not as much awareness and support for deaf people.

[MacSmiley]

Bon voyage demain, Leah!! Have a safe and successful trip!!

[veggiemama78]

Leah, Good Luck! You are an inspiration.

[hhtheoneandonly]

Leah- I want to be a writer as well, or a psychiatrist, a teacher, or lawyer. The kids will appreciate what you are going to do, and it will stick with them for a lifetime. You're giving them the form of communication they never had.

Good luck--- and remember, don't be afraid of the machete guy.  The machete guy is your friend.

I think I've been watching too many scary movies. LOL.

love,

Ashley

[emilyics]

I too am going to African this year, but not to teach ASL, only to teach English, although I do know ASL too, so maybe I will see if I can do that too!

[hammerofharpel]

So you are going to teach American Sign Language to African children? Why not sign language in their language? From my understanding you have sign language for the major languages.

[SigningTimeRachel]

GSL is Ghanaian Sign Language, it is similar enough to ASL that most humanitarian volunteers with ASL knowledge are able to communicate and contribute to the 13 deaf schools in Ghana.

[mungojelly]

Sign languages are not just signed versions of spoken languages; they have their own vocabulary and grammar. ASL is spoken in many countries in the world, only some of which are English speaking.

[hammerofharpel]

I have studied ASL quite a bit and know the structure of the language but I did not know that ASL is studied in so many countries. Thanks for the info!

[lindseyblau]

Leah--I am so excited for you to fulfill your dreams! There is no better person in the world that will be able to touch the lives of the deaf children in Ghana. What an incredible gift you will be giving them. Good luck!