ASL Stories
A collection of personal stories, shared memories, and creative expressions told through American Sign Language. Whether signed or written, each post celebrates ASL as a living, breathing language that connects generations and transforms lives.
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We’ve Been Targeted: How Scammers Exploit the Deaf Community – And How We Fight Back
The Silence They Exploit I lost $1,000 to a scam I thought I saw coming. I’ve replayed it a hundred times. The red flags. The gut feeling. The voice in my head saying, “You know better.” And still, I lost. This isn’t just my story. It’s ours. Because this isn’t just about money. It’s about how scams are evolving faster than we’re warned, and how they’re targeting the people who are already fighting to be heard. Deaf creators. Queer folks. Immigrants. People living at the intersections, where visibility meets vulnerability. And while scammers sharpen their tools, platforms stay silent. Systems stay broken. The same communities that built these spaces are…
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ASL on the Go: 7 Everyday Moments to Practice Sign Language This Summer
Summer is made for movement—pool days, backyard BBQs, road trips, slow walks with iced coffee in hand. If you’re learning American Sign Language (ASL), these warm-weather routines are also perfect for weaving signs into your daily life without needing to block off extra time or energy. No fancy apps. No pressure to be perfect. Just consistent, real-life practice that helps ASL become second nature. And to make it even easier, we created a free printable ASL Summer Toolkit—complete with: 👉 [Get your free ASL Summer Toolkit here] and start building your signing routine today. ASL on the Go: 7 Everyday Moments to Practice Sign Language This Summer Why “On-the-Go” ASL…
- ASL Advocacy, ASL Stories, Deaf History, Deaf Lifestyle, Glow-Up + Wellness, Life, Reflections, Wellness & Self-Development
Vision or Illusion? My Wake-Up Call on MLMs and False Empowerment
The truth behind MLMs and how they sell us dreams that don’t hold. Let me be real with you: I almost didn’t share this. Vision or Illusion? My Wake-Up Call on MLMs and the Deaf Community’s False Empowerment Trap Not because I’m embarrassed, but because I know how sensitive this topic can be. MLMs are everywhere and they promise so much. But this isn’t about dragging anyone. It’s about truth, lived experience, and making sure others don’t fall into the same trap I did. I speak from experience and research. This isn’t personal – it’s advocacy. I hope we can respect each other’s journeys. – Donna Melena This post reflects…
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Raw. Real. Remembered.
Raw. Real. Remembered. This Memorial Day weekend, Donna took to her platform with a video that didn’t need filters, edits, or rehearsed lines. She sat down—15 minutes “late” by social media standards, but right on time in spirit—and let her heart speak. In an era of polished tributes and performative patriotism, Donna’s message stood out because it wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence. In her unfiltered video, Donna didn’t just mention names—she honored legacies. With visible emotion, she spotlighted Richard, Matt’s father, with deep reverence. His service wasn’t just acknowledged; it was felt. She also called out @skylar_madison and @christian_madison with heartfelt appreciation, recognizing their outstanding service with the…
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Serving More Than Meals: How Rochester Deaf Kitchen Redefines Access and Inclusion
“Food is a basic human right—but what happens when communication barriers block the path to that right?” That question lingered with me long after I attended the presentation on Rochester Deaf Kitchen (RDK), a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of hunger relief and Deaf culture. The experience did more than inform me; it shifted how I think about accessibility in ways that resonate deeply with what we’ve explored in SOCI-240. Rochester Deaf Kitchen isn’t just another food pantry. Founded by Zachary Ennis, RDK was born from a mission to close a glaring gap: Deaf individuals in Rochester, NY, face the same food insecurity challenges as hearing populations, but with…
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Deaf Identities, Intersectionality, and Resistance: Rethinking Deaf Culture Through Inclusive Lenses
Introduction Disability and Deaf studies have evolved dramatically in recent decades to reframe deafness not as a medical deficit but as a socio-cultural phenomenon. Gone are the days when deafness was universally seen through the lens of “loss.” Instead, emerging frameworks such as Deaf Gain have shifted the discourse to recognize deafness as contributing to human diversity and creativity. However, even within Deaf culture, dynamics of privilege and exclusion remain. Scholars have highlighted that the category “Deaf” has often privileged white, able-bodied, cisgender signers, marginalizing those whose experiences do not fit neatly into normative Deaf narratives. This paper explores the ways Deaf identities are shaped by intersectionality and history and…
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Understanding Deaf Culture: Identity, Language, and Community
When we think about culture, we often picture national flags, traditional foods, or distinctive ways of life. But culture runs much deeper. For the Deaf community, culture is not defined by geographic borders or visible customs, but by a shared language, rich traditions, and a profound sense of belonging. This article explores what Deaf culture is, how it has evolved, and why it matters, drawing from key research and contributions from pivotal figures in Deaf studies. What Is Deaf Culture? Deaf culture refers to the unique social beliefs, behaviors, art, history, and shared institutions of communities affected by deafness and who use sign language as the main means of communication.…
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Deaf Organizations and Leaders: Shaping the Future of Deaf Communities
When I think about Deaf leaders and the organizations that shaped them, it feels personal. These aren’t just names and logos. They are stories of people who pushed boundaries and made spaces where none existed before. Gallaudet University: Where Dreams Take Shape Gallaudet University isn’t just a school. It’s where Deaf culture breathes, debates spark, and futures are made. For generations, Gallaudet has been the heartbeat of the Deaf community worldwide. I can’t help but think of T. Alan Hurwitz. Born Deaf, he didn’t just sit at the table—he led it. Becoming the tenth president of Gallaudet was more than a personal achievement. It was a collective victory for every…
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Deaf and DeafBlind Space + Exercise
Out-of-Class Exercise: Deaf & DeafBlind Communities and Spaces Name: Donna MelenaCourse: SOCI-240 Deaf & DeafBlind Communities and Spaces by Professor Amiee WhyteDate: February 2025 Part 1: Community Cultural Wealth What is Community Cultural Wealth (Yosso, 2005)?Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) is a strengths-based framework that shifts the narrative from deficit thinking. Instead of viewing marginalized communities as lacking, CCW acknowledges the unique skills, knowledge, and social resources these communities possess, such as aspirational, linguistic, familial, social, navigational, and resistant capital. What is Deaf Community Cultural Wealth (DCCW)?DCCW is an adaptation of Yosso’s CCW, tailored to highlight the distinctive strengths within the Deaf community. These include the richness of ASL, shared lived…
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Coming Soon: A Candid Interview with Ashley from Good Energy Salon
A Salon Expereince Like No Others: Catching up with Ashley from Good Energy Salon! Hey friends! I’ve been holding this one close for a while now, but it’s time to share something special that’s been on my heart. This summer 2025, I’ll be sitting down with the incredibly talented Ashley, the Deaf hairstylist and powerhouse behind Good Energy Salon Don’t Miss the Full Interview! The full blog post featuring Ashley from Good Energy Salon is dropping this summer—and it’s going to be so worth the wait. If you want to be the first to know when it goes live, make sure you’re on my email list. ✨ Subscribe here: You’ll…
