What a surprise!

What a surprise to find an ASL message board! I've been an interpreter for many years and am nationally certified. I am also a CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) and (obviously) a WLS patient. What a cool little board! Cheryl

OMG a CODA I work for a CODA and I have been interpreting for 13 years. My ex husband is deaf but I learned it way before I met him. I am nationally certified too with a NAD 4. I was Deaf taught and thats the best way! I was very heavily involved with the Deaf culture in Austin, Texas where I learned. Most people think I am a CODA when they find out I am not deaf. *smile* We now have a Deaf nursing student and I mainly interpret for her at my college. We go on clinicals together and I got to interpret a LAP RNY!!! I also got to interpret a Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction. The COOLEST thing was when I got called out last month to the hospital. Imagine my shock and suprise when my client just had a gastric bypass surgery!! Ok.. I think I broke the Code of Ethics on that one!! I was THRILLED to talk to her about it! I now interpret for her at our support group meetings. I want to get RID certified but lack $$$ right now after paying for plastic surgery. Man this stuff is expensive!!!! We have to have State Licensure here too and these dues are killing me! I am starting to resent RID because they have a monopoly on it right now. Luckily I was grandfathered in and don't have to worry about it for a while. I am salaried at the local Tech College but I am ALWAYS on call here for the hospitals and mental hospital. I also do part time work at UK (University of Kentucky) and other community colleges. I am also trying to get all my CEU's in. Well it was cool meeting ya! Welcome to the board! Hugs, Dana

Hey Dana...my maiden name is close to yours... it was Barra cool huh? Anyways I just discovered this board and am so glad to have people like you to look up to and ask questions. I am an educational interpreter and have only done it for a few years. I have no certifications but I believe I will have to be soon. Is that right? Well nice meeting you and hope to be able to ask you more questions. Nadine

Greetings Ladies!! I am a retired Interpreter and have been signing for 31 years It is nice to see other interpreters here ! Jezz

Hey Jacque...I am sort of near you... I live in Chino. I am a new interpreter and have no certification. I am an educational interpreter and have been doing it for a few years. My boys are hearing impaired and that is how I got involved. I didnt know til now that they had this board and now I have people to look up to and ask questions. Nice to meet you! Nadine

Hi, I'm an interpreter too at a university here in Illinois. Nice to meet everyone!

Cool! I'm a Culturally Deaf woman who is just now starting to look into bariatric surgery. I want it SO much! I use ASL exclusively and will be using an interpreter at my appointments. So glad to find this board.

Hey Michele... Nice to meet you. I have a question for you...As an educational interpreter I need a sign for "trick or treat" or is there one? I'd like to know before Halloween. Thanks! Nadine

I was an MSS (morphemic sign system) interpreter in high school. It's obviously not the most popular sign language out there. I don't see an MSS board. Good to see other signers here though!