Kathy Morton: A Voice in the Deaf Community

It's a wonderful ability--being able to sing a song in two languages at once. Of the population at large, there aren't many who can do it. However, the numbers of those who can have increased substantially since I was a kid. That's a good thing. It means awareness is increasing.

Many of us have never had a deaf friend or relative. For those of us who have, it's a relief to know that someone we care for, should the need arise, will have someone with them who is fluent in their language, to bridge the gap between them and the hearing, should they need help and have difficulty communicating it themselves.

One of those people I'm excited to introduce you to is Kathy Morton, of Gibson County, Indiana.

There are several reasons I'm happy to be featuring her work and I'll start with a bit of personal history. I've known her since we were kids. I trust her whole-heartedly and know her to be honest, kind and dedicated to her work and the clients she interacts with.

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Another reason is that she's a indie biz contractor. That's important to me because it means she can be recommended individually, on her own merit.

Kathy has a personal connection to the deaf community through family and friends. Interaction with the deaf isn't just something she learned to do in a classroom. For her, the work is deeply personal and much more than a job. It's an extension of herself and a representation of her family and friends. 

In hiring indie-contractors like Kathy, it's Kathy that shows up. There is no middle-man. You're sincerely supporting an independently owned and operated business. When she connects with someone, a relationship is established, and next time that client needs an interpreter, there won't be a strange face to greet them. The process of getting acquainted will already be behind them and it will be Kathy, with her easy nature, vibrant smile, and fluid linguistics to help someone who already familiar with her who trusts her to represent them expertly.

Those factors alone are often just what's needed to relieve anxiety for everyone involved.

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Meet Kathy...

Kathy Rose Morton, CI, IIC

"Providing accessibility of communication without barriers between Deaf and Hearing people gives me great pleasure!

"Being a contractor, rather than an employee, has worked well for me, because I am also a wife and a mother of three. Having the ability to schedule my own work hours is a tremendous benefit. 

"The rewards of being a member of the Deaf community are more than I am able to explain effectively in words. Having the experience of learning ASL, becoming enculturated in Deaf culture, learning how to interpret and subsequently passing the necessary tests to become a credentialed professional have provided a personal and professional fulfillment that I am eternally grateful for.

"I suppose the main message I would like the Hearing community to learn is that American Sign Language IS a language with all the essential parts and requirements of what it takes to be considered a language (not a shorthand of English), and that the  Deaf community is just as diverse and capable as any other population of people. All too many times assumptions about the Deaf are made by hearing people that are quite antiquated.

"My message to the Deaf community is, my most heartfelt gratitude and thanks for sharing their culture and language with me. The personal and work-related experiences I have had over the years have enriched my life more than I am able to express.

"If I'm not available for an assignment, (and that does happen occasionally) I will personally recommend another qualified, professional interpreter that I have both personal and professional confidence in, when needed or upon request."

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Welcome to the Weeblyhood!

Kathy is yet another new indie-biz resident of the Weeblyhood. Granted, that's not a requirement for me to put someone's work in the spotlight, but I always get excited when I have the opportunity to do so. The Weeblyhood indie biz community is awesome about getting acquainted with our new neighbors and spreading the word when a new site hangs its shingle in our midst, that's offering quality services and/or products and is being operated with integrity.

This is one of those businesses and you can find Kathy's new cyber-office via KATHY MORTON CI, IIC. The link is embedded for your navigational ease.

Even if you're not in need of an interpreter today, please stop by her site for a visit and add an additional light to her visitor's globe. That excites her fans, friends and family ... including me! 

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Thanks for your visit today and for taking the time to get acquainted with Kathy, her work and the people she works with that are dear to her heart and those of many others.

Also, thank you for your continued support and interest in the indie biz community, regardless of where they set up shop or hang their cyber-shingle.

God bless you, thanks for the read and please don't forget to thank a veteran at your next opportunity!

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