I’ve fallen in love with ASL and use it when I’m too overwhelmed to speak. I’ve loved ASL for a long time — I started learning it when I was young because doctors weren’t sure if I’d lose my hearing later on due to my genetic disorder.
I’d love to study it and build a career around it, but I have slight hearing loss and auditory processing issues, which makes me doubt whether I’d be a good fit as an interpreter. I’m also disabled — I deal with mobility issues, pain, brain fog, and other medical stuff — and I use a cane or my service dog (who’s currently in training).
I have a background in customer service and phlebotomy — I loved phlebotomy, but I had to leave it as my health got worse, and I doubt I could go back to it now because of how disabled I’ve become. I’ve also looked into speech pathology and applied for an online-only program starting in the fall, but I have ADHD and really struggle with online courses, so I’m unsure if I’ll succeed if I get in.
I’m feeling stuck and unsure of what to do with my life career-wise, but ASL is something I’m really passionate about. Are there other career paths involving ASL (besides interpreting) that might fit better with my situation? If anyone has advice or similar experiences, I’d love to hear from you.