Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamil Gerald.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve known sign language since I was 3yrs old due to my hearing loss. By the time I had graduated from college with my master’s in social work (2010), a lot of my signs were gone. Because I was so involved in the hearing community that didn’t require sign language.
In winter 2021, I was experiencing inflammation in my ears that were affecting my hearing. I felt I needed to do something because it was so frustrating communicating with people who didn’t want to be patient with my condition. There needed to be some form of communication in case I lost all of my hearing.
I needed to find a way to break down communication barriers. So I thought why not educate the community on hearing loss awareness and to teach them sign language. It was a brilliant idea. Signing As Art was created. I started teaching at libraries, schools, and online. Sign language is not just another language, instead it is art through the beautiful movements of our hands.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It wasn’t a smooth road at first because I was struggling with coming to terms with my hearing loss. It was a grieving process for me. I was able to hear music, the sounds of the birds chirping and so much more. Right now it’s as if the sounds are fading away.
I had to learn how to advocate for myself in the condition I was in. Most family and friends didn’t want to learn sign language to better communicate with me. They still wanted to call me up on the phone like a normal person. I felt I shouldn’t have to keep reminding them I can’t hear too well on the phone like I used to.
Spreading the hearing loss awareness continues to be a challenge because there is a stigma attached to hearing loss. Society thinks just because you have a disability, you’re confined to a box. And that’s not the case at all. I find myself proving myself that I am capable of doing many things while still having my limitations.
As you know, we’re big fans of Signing As Art. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Signing As Art teaches a combination of sign exact English (SEE) and American sign language (ASL) to the community.
This is a new business with goals of expanding and adding additional services to better serve the community. So far I am known as the Smiling Sign Language Teacher because of I always smiling.
What sets me apart from others is that I’m patient, and highly energetic with positive vibrations. My students are strongly encouraged to have fun while learning ART (sign language). I make the environment fun and engaging. I love it and they love it.
Brand wise, I’m most proud of the name I came up with for my passion which is a business. The name made many curious about it. I loved how it attracted so many people within the community and outside of the community via online.
We would like our readers to know that Signing As Art is blooming. We just wrapped up with our first annual Holiday Bliss. In which we sponsored families who have a hearing loss with holiday gifts. It was a success. We look forward to next year to give back to the community in many ways we can while educating hearing loss awareness. We’ll be teaching again after the holidays beginning February 2023. We’re looking to add interpreter services, more online classes, etc. We don’t want to share too much secrets.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Learning to love myself all over again was the most important lesson for me during this journey. I never fully loved myself because of my hearing loss. I felt it made me less of a person because people including family bullied me. They joked about my hearing without realizing it bothered me. So to stand tall and so full of love this present moment, I am able to show others that I am still Kamil regardless of my hearing challenge.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: SIAbyKamil
- Facebook:Signing Is Art
Image Credits
I took all the images: Kamil Gerald
