They say it takes a village to raise a child, and one Massachusetts community has obviously taken that to heart.
Glenda and Raphael Savitz moved into their new home in Newton two years ago and had their daughter Samantha shortly after. Before long, they started learning American Sign Language so they could communicate with their little one, who was born deaf.
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While the two of them had no previous experience with ASL, they felt learning it was a necessity. What they couldn’t have predicted was that their neighbors would feel the same way!
You see, whenever Glenda and Raphael took Samantha out for walks, people would stop to chat. It didn’t take long for them to realize the cheerful, outgoing little girl was eager to communicate with them – but they couldn’t understand her.
Frustrated, a group of neighbors signed up to take an ASL class together. What started as a handful of caring individuals soon blossomed into a movement. In the end, 40 people joined in so they could all befriend Samantha!
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For Lucia Marshall, learning ASL has been a gift: “Sam is giving us a reason to come together, so I think she is doing something for us, rather than the other way around.”
Other neighbors were quick to chime in. “You should see her when she comes in at the end of class,” one said. Another added, “The first thing she says to us is ‘friend.'”
Even better, Raphael and Glenda are seeing positive reactions from Samantha! “There is no greater gift than her wanting to learn her language,” Glenda said. “Her whole personality changes when it’s someone who can communicate with her.”
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What a perfect reminder that we are all in this together. Just imagine how wonderful the world would be if everyone went out of their way to make each other feel as welcomed and and loved as this community did!
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