I’ve worked as a software engineer self-taught for over 10 years.
I grew up oral, using hearing aids and lipreading. One-on-one, I am an adequate lipreader. I got cochlear implants,
my right one in 2020 when I was 36 years old, and my left one in 2024. These implants have greatly improved and
faciliated my communication.
I started learning American Sign Language in college when I was 17 and still in high school. I am fluent in ASL.
In a group setting, I usually prefer to have interpreters so I don’t miss crucial communication.
I default to speaking for myself in hearing settings. If there is a Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing person present and they know
ASL, I will generally try to simcom (simultaneous communication) unsuccessfully. I may choose to switch to full
signing mode with an interpreter present.