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Kim Mackey wants to help people communicate.
The Murrysville resident, who is deaf, has been hosting a series of pop-up events where attendees can join her in practicing American Sign Language. And it all started with a few glances at the bus stop.
“I walk every day, and I see kids waiting for the bus,” Mackey said. “And one would wave every morning. One day, when it was very cold, we both shivered when we saw one another. And I started thinking: how can I help enhance that kind of visual communication, without it being intimidating?”
Mackey posted on Facebook and asked if anyone had an interest in learning ASL, or had tried and given up in the past.
“I didn’t know what the reaction would be, but I got 85 responses,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it.”
That led her to organize a private group on Facebook in late June, and the first pop-up took place at Murrysville Community Park, with a group of four, and Mackey brought along a friend who teaches ASL at a University of Pittsburgh program.
Having been raised with a hearing aid and with a wealth of experience in lip-reading, the covid-19 pandemic was tough for Mackey.
“When the mask mandates came on, it made things very, very difficult,” she said. “Now that things are getting back to normal, I just want to give people the opportunity to practice.”
The pop-up sessions have attracted a diverse group.
“There was a little girl, 6 years old, whose best friend is hard of hearing,” Mackey said. “I’m going to help that little girl.”
Mackey said the biggest challenge of the sessions is that she tries to avoid talking as much as possible, and to focus strictly on ASL.
“It’s a challenge for people to focus not on what they hear, but what they see,” she said. “But it’s helped set a good precedent for the rest of the sessions.”
Mackey tries to organize at least one session per week, and they have taken place at locations ranging from public parks to Walker’s Pet Ho Tail on Route 22 and the Murrysville Swim Club.
“It’s never too early or too late to learn,” she said. “I want to encourage creative thinking, especially in …….