“When people come up to me and say they learned a new word in sign language, it means everything. That effort carries so much weight.” Clara's life is nothing short of remarkable. Born in a multigenerational Deaf family, Clara was born in Colombia and raised with sign language as the norm. Twenty of her family members are Deaf, including both her parents, her husband and her son. It's a legacy they carry proudly. “It’s our roots,” says Clara. “It’s who we are.” When she first came to the United States, Clara settled in New York knowing neither English nor American Sign Language. Her brother introduced her to his friend Alec, who needed a home health aide following a serious car accident. Alec, who is also deaf and a teacher at the Lexington School for the Deaf, began teaching her both ASL and English as they spent time together. The two learned from one another, and that experience became a defining chapter in Clara’s journey. “It was hard, but it was fulfilling,” says Clara. “Alec shaped my life.” Today, Clara’s son is also a graduate of Lexington and now teaches there - a full-circle moment that fills her with pride. “My mother didn’t have school or opportunities like this. For me and my son to receive an education and move forward, that’s what makes me proud.” When Clara moved from New York to Southern Ocean County, it was a culture shock. After realizing her first job wasn't for her, she joined the Hackensack Meridian Health team at a subacute rehab facility. It was there that she first crossed paths with Jessica, an ASL interpreter, who would be called in whenever Clara needed support with communication. Over the years, she became someone Clara could rely on, and she remains so today as the supervisor for Language Services. Eventually, Clara joined the Environmental Services team at Southern Ocean Medical Center. “It really is a family here,” she says. “People are so kind and they try to learn sign language. Even one word means so much. It shows so much respect to me.” Clara regularly visits patient rooms, where she finds ways to connect through gestures, expressions and body language. “I do everything I can to communicate and serve my patients,” says Clara. “I try to make my patients feel safe and show them I care.” She also uses Southern Ocean's video remote interpreting system, which connects her to an interpreter in seconds. “Before the VRI machines, it was easy to feel isolated,” Clara says. “Now, I can get an interpreter on the screen right away. It helps avoid confusion and makes me feel seen.” When asked what she wishes others understood about being Deaf, she smiles. “A Deaf person can do anything a hearing person can do - except hear, of course!” “I’m just so thankful to be here,” she says. “This medical center, the team members, the support. I love everyone. I feel accepted. I feel seen.” #PeopleofHMH
