Payton DeGraw |

Payton DeGraw:
Hello, my name is Payton DeGraw.

I grew up using cued speech as my communication tool, and I still do today.

Even so, I'm welcomed here at Gallaudet University, just like anyone else.

Payton DeGraw:
Believe it or not, I didn't know much about who I was or what Deaf culture was like when I got here. I also didn't know much ASL.

Thanks to our program for new and emerging signers, JumpStart, I was able to learn ASL and embrace my identity and culture. It was a big part of my success.

But for the first time, everything was two-way communication 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Payton DeGraw:
Gallaudet is the place to embrace oneself and build connections within and beyond the signing and deaf community.

Payton DeGraw:
It was fine where I was. I was doing well at school. I was playing soccer for school. I had my friends that I could talk directly to. I could talk to my parents and sister directly with cued speech. You might think that my life was complete and I was happy. That was very far from the truth.

Whether you are curious, nervous, or not interested in learning ASL and deaf culture, let me tell you what I didn't know: that I would be welcomed into a crowd of my own and have access to everything.

Payton DeGraw:
For example, I loved playing soccer in high school. My teammates always tried to include me and communicate with me when they could, but most of the time, I was left out of conversations. I could not participate in and engage in conversations like others. Like if I wanted to ask my coach directly for something, I could not do that simply. I wanted more, but everything was one-way information that I needed to work around.

Here on the Gallaudet soccer team, on the other hand, I could see all the conversations going on and join in at any time. Everyone, even my coaches! On the field and off too!

Do you have this full access all around at your school? In your community? Or just at home? If you answered "no" or "maybe" or even "yes" to any of these questions, you will find it here at Gallaudet.

Payton DeGraw:
Before coming to Gallaudet, many of us didn't know that this inclusivity exists. That's the new world we'll all see if we come here.

Whether you agree or not, the fact is that before coming to Gallaudet, you would not have that entirely where you are now. I know what it is like to be welcomed. You will be after coming here.

I am Welcomed. I am Gallaudet.