“Being able to fingerspell has been essential for me in communicating with my mom.  Many times I find it an easy way to communicate a word that I may not remember the actual sign.  I have also found it has helped me out in other ways.  Over the years I have gotten more used to moving my hands while talking.  If you don’t know the sign to a word that’s OK!  Take the time to spell out the word or enunciate the word slowly while fingerspelling the first few letters.  My mother and other deaf people that I have communicated with over the years are very patient and appreciative that you try to communicate with them in their language.”