Stephon, a 26-year-old Prince George’s Community College student who was born deaf, had the opportunity to meet Obama at a March 15 event with Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. When the President approached, he got Obama's attention and signed to him, and was surprised to receive an instant ASL response.
…I regret I could have done better holding my camera while talking to Obama. The moment I will never forget was when he looked at me. He gave me a chance to talk to him. It was like he was waiting for me to say something. I took the moment and signed “I am proud of you,” and his response was “Thank u” in sign language back! Oh my gosh! I was like wow! He understood me after I said I was proud of him. It was so amazing…I was just speechless. Right after he thanked me, he smiled at another deaf lady who signed “I love you.” When I shook his hand it did not feel like he was superior to me. He was just a humble man.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP…
