I didn’t mean to fall in love with American Sign Language. I promise. I was a silly college girl, absorbed in my world of costuming, and suddenly the class that fulfilled my general ed language requirement was my favorite class. It was fun and funny, and suddenly my whole being ached for fluency. I signed up for ASL 2, even though it didn’t count toward anything, and I love it just as much as I loved the first semester. Now, I’m working hard towards becoming an American Sign Language Interpreter. I know I have a long way to go before I get good enough for that, but I’m excited to try for it anyway.
The language is great, but it’s a whole package deal, really. I had no idea that there was a whole Deaf Culture out there existing side by side with my Hearing Culture. The discovery has been amazing. I know that I’m an ignorant little hearing girl, but I’d really love to share what I’m learning as I learn it. I find it fascinating, and I think you will too.
If you’re interested in what my life is like: I’m currently living in Southern California with my wonderful husband and our two matching cats. I’m also working at Disneyland while completing two degrees – an AA in American Sign Language Interpreting, and a BA in History. I dont’ really know the meaning of the words “free time” right now, but when I have some I’m usually lindy-hopping, hiking, camping, watching Project Runway or The Gilmore Girls, playing The Sims, or taking acrobatics class. I’m a member of the ASL club at my school, and volunteer sometimes with Deaf West Theater, too.
So here it is… Not just my journey to fluency, but the amazing things I’ve learned about Deaf Culture along the way. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
~
aseykins
*I would also like to add a small disclaimer. I am 100% hearing, and understand that I have no idea what it’s like to be Deaf, nor will I ever know. I’m not trying to pass myself off as an expert on Deaf Culture, or really on any subject I’m writing about. My articles are not academic nor are they well-researched, and you should take them as such. If you have any questions or comments, I’d like to hear them! Feel free to e-mail me at ifmyhandscouldspeak@gmail.com. Thanks for reading and enjoying!
If My Hands Could Speak... 
10 comments
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April 15, 2009 at 2:51 AM
Jill Ashley
My comment is to caseykins. I read that your middle name is “Hepsula.” This is a name I have loved for years, but can find little information on. Do you know what it means? From what language is it? Any information you can give me will be much appreciated.
Thanks you, Casey
Jill Ashley
jashley12@adelphia.net (correct email address)
April 15, 2009 at 10:03 PM
caseykins
Hi Jill!
My middle name isn’t actually Hepsula. My dad used to call me Hepsula as a joke nickname when I was younger, but it was never actually my name. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about it’s history, or even why it happened to occur to my dad to call me that. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
April 13, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Pat Carney
I have a question for you about your artwork, which I think is beautiful. I am working with a young Deaf woman, and would like to incorporate some of the pictures into our work. I tried to email you at the google address, but it was returned as undeliverable. Thanks. Pat.
April 13, 2010 at 1:11 PM
caseykins
Thanks for the interest, and also for the tip that my address isn’t working. I’m looking into why it wouldn’t be functioning right now. Hopefully it will be up again today.
November 22, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Christine
Your illustrations are amazing. If you could please email me, I have a question for you.
Thanks,
Christine
March 6, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Cialis
wcGPtK Excellent article, I will take note. Many thanks for the story!
May 15, 2010 at 1:29 AM
Beth Urquhart
Thanks for your website. I enjoy your articles outlining books that you’ve read about the Deaf. I’m currently living and working with the Deaf community in Ethiopia. Resources are especially difficult to come by and electronic resources to the information that we can’t get in books is extremely helpful.
Do you have any electronic copies of the books you read? Do you lend from a library or have your own personal collection? Any chance you can help us out by putting any electronic resources you have available (including your posts) on a CD and mailing it to us? Internet connections are extremely slow, which makes access really difficult.
Thanks for your consideration.
Sincerely, Beth Urquhart
May 17, 2010 at 8:58 AM
caseykins
Thanks for the interest!! Unfortunately, most of my books come from the Chapman University library. My husband works there and he’s willing to bring home anything I ask him to, but that means I don’t own them. 😦 I’d be happy to send a CD your way with some of my posts, but unfortunately I don’t have many more resources than that. Most of my information is compiled from other websites, and from the classes I’ve taken. Would you be willing to e-mail me an address where I can send it? My e-mail is ifmyhandscouldspeak@gmail.com. Thanks!!
May 15, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Becka
I used to be a Special Education major. Then I took an ASL class because I thought it could be useful in case some of my students had trouble communicating. Now I’m in the same boat as you. I loved it, I can’t stop taking the classes. I’m now a volunteer at the local Deaf Services Center and am also working towards being an interpreter. The culture is captivating. I love your site, the jokes, the reading list… all the research and insight. We should compare notes and study together.
beautiful drawings too by the way…
Becka
October 31, 2013 at 9:20 PM
Aneesah Afrika Silvels
Like everyone else said, your artwork is beautiful. I would love to show my students (I teach Deaf Ed in Hawaii, just graduated from Gallaudet). I also want to give a hi to Beth Urquhart (a few comments above mine). We briefly met in Peace Corps Kenya. Hi Beth. It’s a small world when you’re connected to the Deaf community. Casey, I hope you are a happy and successful interpreter now