In the Deaf community, I am known as an accomplished actor, play director, poet, storyteller, teacher, American Sign Language consultant, and translator. This chapter will reveal my reflections as a Deaf artist moving between the written/printed aspect of English and the unwritten system of American Sign Language. An easy and accurate way of recording ASL these days is by way of videotape. You may wonder why I have not mentioned spoken English as one of my territories. That is because I have not heard a spoken word all my life. In fact, I am proud to be a Deaf man, am very delighted with the divine gift of ASL, and, indeed, enjoy reading texts in English, albeit with some struggle.

I was born in a Kansas family of seven children, five of whom are Deaf, including myself. Because of my joy and talent in using ASL, particularly in the area of dramatic arts, it is too easily assumed by many people that I have Deaf parents. However, I am among the estimated 90% of Deaf children in the United States who have hearing parents. Yet it is a blessing that I can easily identify myself with the Deaf community whose rich history and social network have made a significant difference in my life. I am grateful over and over again that I have hearing parents who have allowed me to be Deaf.

So far, it looks as though I have had a perfect life. But to tell you the truth, I haven't. I do have struggles as a Deaf person.