The Moment I Met the Blue-Eyed Boy in the Real World

I will write this story in simple English because I want deaf people to read it and understand.

Fourteen years ago, I saw people using sign language. It was my first time. I was in the church, and I saw a signer interpret Mass to a group of young boys and girls. I thought to myself, Wow, this is beautiful. I went to church every week. Every week, I searched for that group of boys and girls. They only came once a month. I watched them from far away. I forgot about the Mass and I lost myself in the signs.

I did not understand the meaning of the signs, but I loved them. Their hands spoke. I knew it was difficult. The priest was fast, and the signs looked complicated. I did not understand how the signer interpreted so quickly.

I promised myself to learn sign language one day.

Ten months ago, I finally started learning. I attended a class one day per week. Five months ago, I started serving deaf people in church every Friday.

The first time I went, I saw a young man with blue eyes. I used to see him fourteen years ago. I remember because blue eyes are rare in Egypt. He is the boy I remember. Now he is my friend. He chose my sign. He is teaching me sign language, and I am teaching him English.

In ten months, they all helped me sign faster. They are patient and loving. They hold my hands and teach me new signs every day.

Now I will teach sign language to people at work. I will interpret Mass next Friday … for the first time. And after two weeks, I will become an English teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing. I will teach with sign language. They taught me what they know. Now I will teach them what I know.

Deaf people are … people. Some deaf people are lazy. Some deaf people are smart. Some deaf people are helpful. Some deaf people are quiet. Some deaf people are loud. Some deaf people are shy.

Deaf people are just like hearing people.

If you meet a Spanish person, and the Spanish person does not know Arabic, you will not feel afraid. Why do you feel worried when you meet a deaf person? Deaf people speak a different language. That is the only difference between you and a deaf person.

Deaf people helped me a lot. I am not helping them; I am learning from them. Their courage and their patience and their kindness and their love are changing me. And one day, when their English is better, they will understand every word I wrote here without help. That is my goal.

Sign language is beautiful and fun. I hope more people learn it.