Frostburg Highlight: Maddie Jones, Sign Language Fanatic

We live in a time of opportunity. We’re able to go to school, go to the movies, and eat at any restaurant. There are some people, though, that can’t utilize these opportunities. People that are deaf or hard of hearing struggle to do these seemingly simple things. They are capable and intelligent people that have to find different ways to do the same things that hearing people do. Think of how movie theaters don’t usually have subtitles, or how most waiters or teachers don’t know how to sign. The world is designed for hearing people, and deaf people have to navigate this world. Maddie Jones, a student here at Frostburg, was able to take a class and learn sign language. Now, signing has become a lifestyle for her, even though she is not deaf.

She started learning to sign her freshman year of high school. She says that she was able to pick up on the language so quickly because she was already a hand-talker. “It just came naturally,” Jones said. She considers herself proficient in sign language, as there is no way for a hearing person to be fluent. “There are mannerisms that we don’t have because we can hear.” Jones wants to be a social worker and a counselor. She wants to counsel families and fight for children in court. She wants to work with deaf clientele that can’t go anywhere without an interpreter. “Deaf people aren’t represented when it comes to therapy,” Jones said. “They have to bring an interpreter or write down everything. That’s unfair.” She wants to make a difference for those people that are unable to have an interpreter, but still need help.

Jones believes that sign language has changed her life. “Without the connection with my sign teacher, I don’t know how I would’ve done in high school,” Jones said. She signs all the time now. She signs when in normal conversation and while she’s alone, listening to music. “Signing is a stress reliever for me,” Jones said. “When I’m upset, I tend to start to sign. Even if no one else understands, it helps me get words out.” Signing is completely natural for her now. Signing helps her comprehend and learn new things. She will sign words when studying for a test and it helps her remember the material later on.

Overall, Jones said that sign is not accessible enough. “Sign language should be offered in more places,” Jones said. Only two high schools in Carroll County, where she went to school, offer sign language classes. More students should be able to learn, so that later on in life, they can utilize this skill. In this world, we should be focusing on how to help each other more. Everyone is struggling with something, and we should all do our parts to help. If things were reversed, wouldn’t you want people to try?