Moth visits JrNAD National Convention in Rochester
[Transcript] ALEX ABENCHUCHAN: Hello, I’m here in Rochester, New York at Rochester School for the Deaf. The reason why I’ve come here is for the Jr. NAD National Conference where over 80 students have assembled from different programs all over the country. I hosted two workshops where the students interview each other and do some Deaf Bing videos. I’ll show you some videos now!
FEMALE:
Hey, welcome to the Daily Moth! We’re now at the Jr. NAD Conference in Rochester. Today we’ll be introducing 3 interviewees who will be asked about their backgrounds. Enjoy the interviews!
SARA:
Hi, I’m Sara and I will be interviewing her. What’s your name?
MOLLY:
My name is Molly and I’m from Nebraska.
SARA:
Tell me one interesting fact about yourself!
MOLLY:
My parents come from a predominantly hearing family, but they now have 3 deaf children!
SARA:
Wow, and why is that special to you?
MOLLY:
My parents have genes that give them 25% chance of conceiving deaf children and yet they ended up with 3 deaf children!
SARA:
Interesting, and I wonder if your parents know sign language?
MOLLY:
Yes, my parents do know sign language.
SARA:
That’s good!
[Cut to a Deaf Bing clip]
FEMALE:
Another Deaf Bing is people will constantly jump into conversations.
MALE:
What’s your favorite sport?
SECOND FEMALE:
My favorite sport is volleyball.
MALE:
My favorite is basketball.
SECOND FEMALE:
Cool…
SECOND MALE:
What are you guys talking about?
SECOND FEMALE:
We’re talking about sports.
MALE:
What about you?
SECOND MALE:
I’m not too crazy about sports.
THIRD FEMALE:
What are you guys up to?
ALL:
We’re talking about sports.
[Cut to New Clip]
LILY:
Hi, I’m Lily and I’m from Massachusetts.
CORI:
Hi, I’m Cori and I’m from Rochester, New York.
LILY:
I will be interviewing Cori with 3 questions regarding Cori’s identification as a transgender male.
First question, can you give summarize your journey as a trans male?
CORI:
I was born and raised as female. I also used to identify as a female. Then I developed an attraction towards females, but I felt that my identity didn’t match my body. I started being tomboy-ish, but I still wasn’t my authentic self. So, I decided to become a male. I started the treatments and everything.
LILY:
Second question, do you have any comments or advices for anyone who might be going through the same experience and want to know how to find support?
CORI:
So, obviously the LGBTQ community is fairly new and still developing. So just be yourself. Yeah, some people will judge you, but that’s fine as long as you’re happy at the end of the day. That’s all that matters.
LILY:
Nice of you to come here. Thank you!
[Cut to a Deaf Bing clip]
MALE:
An example of a Deaf Bing is people go completely off the point while they’re talking.
FEMALE:
I’m so depressed because the volleyball team lost last week!
SECOND FEMALE:
Hey, I saw a video that one of the girls crashed into the floor!
FEMALE:
Hey, stop going off the point! I’m serious! I’m talking about the volleyball team losing last weekend.
SECOND FEMALE:
I’m sorry. I just had a thought. You were saying?
FEMALE:
I’m feeling really down because the volleyball team lost last weekend!
SECOND FEMALE:
Sorry about that, but you’re great!
FEMALE:
Thank you!
[Cut to New Clip]
CHLOE:
Hi, I’m Chloe and I’m from Connecticut.
PAIGE:
My name is Paige Austin and I’m from South Carolina School for the Deaf.
CHLOE:
Okay, I’d like to ask for a brief description of your background.
PAIGE:
My background? I have autism.
CHLOE:
Oh okay, how do you exactly feel about that?
PAIGE:
I used to be really scared, but I’ve stopped worrying about that. The important thing is to move forward, to be happy and just be what I am.
CHLOE:
Thank you.
[Cut to a Deaf Bing clip]
MALE:
Another example of a Deaf Bing, we’ll bump into things while chatting.
[Two people having an ASL conversation until one of them bumps into another pair of students having their own ASL conversation.]
FEMALE:
Hey!
MALE:
Oh, I’m sorry!
FEMALE:
Alright, that’s fine. No big deal.
GROUP OF STUDENTS:
And that’s Deaf Bing!
JAYNE:
Hey, welcome to the Daily Moth 2.0!
My name is Jayne and I’m from Texas! I want to welcome you to interview number one with Alex and Nick!
NICK:
Hello, my name is Nick.
ALEXANDRA:
My name is Alexandra and I’m from New York City.
NICK:
So, is the pizza good in New York City?
ALEXANDRA:
Yes, it’s awesome!
NICK:
Do you live in a house or in an apartment?
ALEXANDRA:
I live in a house.
[Cut to a Deaf Bing clip]
FEMALE:
Know how deaf people tend to have side conversations. We have an example ready for you!
FEMALE PRESENTER:
Jr. NAD is very important for everyone because there is an emphasis on students…
[Students in audience having side conversations in ASL]
FEMALE PRESENTER:
Hey! Kindly pay attention, please!
STUDENTS IN AUDIENCE:
Okay, sorry.
FEMALE PRESENTER:
Anyways, what Jr. NAD stands for…
[Students in audience having side conversations in ASL]
FEMALE PRESENTER:
Hey! This is an important presentation for you to pay attention to!
Deaf Bing!
JAYNE:
I’d like to welcome interviewee number 2, Caleb and Ken.
BOTH CALEB AND KEN:
Hi.
KEN:
We want to know your name and where you’re from.
CALEB:
I’m Caleb and I’m from Wisconsin.
KEN:
Pretty neat, what’s state of Wisconsin famous for?
CALEB:
For their delicious cheese and it’s better than what you’ll find in any other states!
KEN:
So, the cheese in Wisconsin beats all the other cheeses made from other states?
CALEB:
Oh yes! I’ve tried the cheese in other states and I didn’t like any of them nearly as much as the cheese from Wisconsin!
KEN:
Cool, thank you for interviewing with me!
CALEB:
No problem!
FEMALE:
Second Deaf Bing is we do this. What does that mean? Here’s an example.
MALE:
What did you just say?
FEMALE:
Nothing.
MALE:
Oh! Deaf Bing!
AUBRIE:
My name is Aubrie.
JAYNE:
We will be interviewing Cory here.
CORY:
Hi, my name is Cory and I’m from Georgia.
JAYNE:
Why have you come here?
CORY:
I came here, and it’s my first time, to see what my students experience here. Seeing these students here is an inspiration for me to help make this world a better place.
AUBRIE:
What type of growth do you hope to see in your students?
CORY:
Their skills, leadership skills, to bring recognition to Georgia and to make the world a better place.
AUBRIE:
Thank you for your time.
MALE:
Here’s another Deaf Bing. Know when you’re in a bathroom stall and sometimes you’ll talk to the person in the next stall.
MALE:
Need some toilet paper!
SECOND MALE:
Okay, okay.
What’s going on? You good?
MALE:
What’s up?! I’ve been good!
FEMALE:
Here’s the last Deaf Bing. Know when deaf people are talking with each other and hearing people are unsure how to walk past the conversation. Deaf people would just walk right by without worrying about interrupting any conversations.
FEMALE:
My flight took 6 hours before finally landing! I was sitting for such a long time!
SECOND FEMALE:
That’s a long time!
[Hearing passersby profusely apologizing as they walk by]
SECOND FEMALE:
Why did they have to interrupt?
FEMALE:
Okay, anyways so I arrived at the hotel…
DEAF PASSERBY:
Right, and they even won and I wasn’t there to see it!
FEMALE:
For about 8 hours which isn’t bad.
SABINA:
Hello, my name is Sabina Bajgai. Welcome to the Daily Moth. Now we’re doing interviews with people at the Jr. NAD conference.
TALIA:
Hi, I’m Talia Boren and I will be interviewing with Annabelle.
ANNABELLE:
Hello!
TALIA:
I’m curious about where you’re from.
ANNABELLE:
I’m from Texas and I go to the Texas School for the Deaf.
TALIA:
That’s cool. I’m curious, since you look so confident with it, why did you shave your head?
ANNABELLE:
No, I did not shave my head. I have a skin disease called Alopecia areata. There’s nothing else that’s wrong with me. It’s just that my hair follicles just stopped working so my hair has been falling out.
TALIA:
I’m curious and I’m sure many people have asked you these questions, but do you ever get sick of it?
ANNABELLE:
I never feel annoyed or insulted when people are just being curious about my baldness. I’m fine with this, and I’m very open and confident with myself. I always like to educate others as well.
TALIA:
Whether you have hair or not, you’re still beautiful!
ANNABELLE:
Thank you!
[Both hug]
MALE:
Deaf Bing: we use snow to communicate with others!
[Student throws a snowball at another student’s back to get her attention]
MIKAEL:
Hello, my name is Mikael and I’ll be interviewing Kioney. So, where are you from?
KIONEY:
I was born in Puerto Rico. When I turned 10, I moved here in New York, in Buffalo. I go to St. Mary’s School for the Deaf.
MIKAEL:
Ah, it’s hot in Puerto Rico and cold here in Buffalo so which do you prefer?
KIONEY:
I like the cold!
MIKAEL:
Okay, which school do you like so far, the one in Puerto Rico or the one you go to now?
KIONEY:
In Puerto Rico, we do a little schoolwork, but most of the time, we go out for field trips while here, we focus more on schoolwork that help us prepare for the future.
MIKAEL:
That’s interesting!
MALE:
Here’s a Deaf Bing: sign language can be dangerous!
MALE:
Are you any good at basketball?
[Male student waves around permanent marker near the other person’s head.]
MALE:
What are you doing backing away? Come closer!
LILLIAN:
Hi, I’m Lillian and this is Emma. Which school are you from?
EMMA:
I’m from here in Rochester.
LILLIAN:
What are your challenges as the Jr. NAD president here?
EMMA:
Planning for a conference is a real tough part, but last year, what was especially hard for me was balancing my work because I go to 2 different schools. I go to a mainstream school in the mornings then go to school here in the afternoons. I have to learn how to manage my time and learn how to not spend all my energy on one task. I have to learn how to balance all that which is pretty tough.
LILLIAN:
What do you hope that other students will learn from this Jr. NAD conference?
EMMA:
I want the students to learn more about themselves and how they can help others. Also, I want them to use what they have and share them with others. I really want us to share the privilieges that we have now with other people who need it.
MALE:
Deaf Bing: when waving at people fails to get their attention, make some antlers with your hands!
FEMALE:
Hey, look at me!
[Audience quiets down and pays attention.]
SABINA:
See all those nice conversations we had with the Jr. NAD delegates. Hopefully you enjoyed watching this video. Bye!
CHRISTIAN:
Hello everyone! My name is Christian. I will be your host tonight bringing you some Deaf news including three interviews. You ready?!
KYLE:
Hi, my name is Kyle and I will be interviewing her. What’s your name?
OLIVIA:
My name is Olivia.
KYLE:
Where are you from?
OLIVIA:
I’m from Pennsylvania!
KYLE:
What’s an interesting fact about you?
OLIVIA:
I’m a Junior fireman and I graduated from an EMT school.
KYLE:
At that school, how do you communicate with others?
OLIVIA:
I use an ASL interpreter at the EMT school. Also, I have friends who I rely on with interacting with patients. As a Junior fireman, there are people who learn ASL themselves. I do communicate with them through my interpreter. Also, I have a cochlear implant and a hearing aid that I use to communicate. We should be open minded!
KYLE:
That’s cool!
FEMALE:
Deaf Bing: we use the light switch to get people’s attention and tack on the electric bill!
FEMALE:
Hey?! Oh fine, I’ll just use the lights!
[Turns on and off light switch]
BOTH:
What?!
FEMALE:
Okay, anyways let me explain something…
FEMALE:
What’s up?
MALE:
I need your, uh, signature.
FEMALE:
That’s too much. You sign it, I’m not signing that!
MALE:
Hey!
FEMALE:
Hello, everyone. I’m about to have a brief interview with her. What’s your name and where are you from?
KALYSTA:
My name is Kalysta and I’m from Iowa.
FEMALE:
Wow, how nice! What’s one interesting thing about you?
KALYSTA:
Well, I’ve lived in 5 different states: Tennessee, Colorado, Arkansas, Mississippi and Iowa.
FEMALE:
Wow, that’s a lot of states! What’s your favorite animal?
KALYSTA:
My favorite animal would be the panda bear.
FEMALE:
And what do panda bears eat?
KALYSTA:
Bamboo, obviously!
FEMALE:
Cool!
MALE:
Deaf Bing: when you’re having a conversation, and someone shifts your attention to them. When you go back to the original conversation, you might forget what the topic was!
FEMALE:
That guy was such a good presenter! So interesting!
SECOND FEMALE:
Yes! He was so good and he inspired me!
THIRD FEMALE:
Hey, long time no see! How have you been?!
SECOND FEMALE:
Wow, I haven’t seen you for such a long time!
THIRD FEMALE:
Yeah, we should catch up sometime!
SECOND FEMALE:
Yes, sure!
THIRD FEMALE:
Good! See you then!
SECOND FEMALE:
See you later!
Wait, I forgot what we were just talking about!
FEMALE:
Me too, I’ve forgotten!
SECOND FEMALE:
Oh well! That’s a Deaf Bing!
ALLY:
Hello, my name is Ally and I will be interviewing with him.
What’s your name?
CAYDEN:
My name is Cayden.
ALLY:
And where are you from?
CAYDEN:
I’m from Wisconsin and I go to Wisconsin School for the Deaf.
ALLY:
What’s a fun fact about you?
CAYDEN:
I used to be an all-star on a hearing football team.
ALLY:
Cool, and how did you communicate with your team?
CAYDEN:
Really, my coach was very motivated himself to learn ASL. He’s always been very involved in the deaf world and learned the language. It’s really cool to be able to chat with him so easily.
ALLY:
Cool, thank you!
FEMALE:
Deaf Bing: when deaf people live with hearing people, and the bathroom door is closed, deaf people aren’t sure if the bathroom is vacant. When they finally do open the door, there’s no one there!
MALE:
Ehh, I gotta find a hearing person to help me!
Hey, could you check and see if there’s someone else in the bathroom?!
What the?!
CHRISTIAN:
We’re finished with the 3 interviews where they shared their own special, relatable stories. I’m now finished with being your host for tonight and I’ve enjoyed it!
ALEX ABENCHUCHAN:
I hope you enjoyed watching these video clips! I want to say thank you for Stacey Lawrence for providing the filming equipment. I also want to thank NAD and Jr. NAD committees for inviting me here!
———
Supported by:
Convo [https://convo.click/2mVhM8h]
Gallaudet University: [gallaudet.edu]