Thursday, while manning my station, I had the most wonderful experience. A group of eight deaf adults approached my station to have their tickets scanned. As I was scanning each of their tickets I began my introductory dialogue about the adventure they were about to begin.

I quickly discovered they were not holding eye contact. Within a few seconds I discovered they were entirely deaf and had no interpreter.

The lead adult gestured she was deaf and began pointing to the map and opening her hands. At first I thought about writing notes by hand to one another but since I am always using dictation when using my phone I decided to use it and we were off to the races.

I would dictate into my phone, hand it to the lady to read and communicate to the other seven before typing her response.

Several times throughout their visit, one or all returned to ask questions. I’d dictate, hand them my phone to read, they’d type something… and on it went.

Before they left the lead lady came up to thank me and typed “I appreciate you.”

It’s these little things that make life, and connecting with others so damned fantastic.