A Deaf Man Walked in to a Bar...

No, this isn't the start of a joke, but it was the start to Melanie M.'s interpreting career. As a bartender in southern Illinois, Melanie realized her calling as a sign language interpreter when a customer came in to her bar, signing with a companion. Using the little sign language she knew, Melanie asked the customer what he wanted to drink. After seeing the overjoyed look on her customer’s face for her ability to communicate with him, Melanie knew what she wanted to do, and she had to do it quick! Thanks to her ability to communicate with sign language, and no doubt a little promotion by the signing customer, Melanie’s bar was flooded with Deaf and hard of hearing customers on the nights she worked!

As a child, Melanie recalls seeing her mother sign with relatives; over time, Melanie and her sister learned some of the basics of signing from their mother. She tells the story, “My mom says she taught me sign language because it was a different language, and it was her way of exposing me to different experiences. I think she taught me sign language so she could “yell” at me while she played piano from the church stage when my sister and I were causing mischief in the pews!”

A single mother of two, Mason (5) and Laiken (3), Melanie knows a thing or two about teaching kids to sign. Her son Mason is a great signer and loves to sign secrets to her. When Melanie signs to her daughter, Laiken likes to respond with, “Mommy, I can’t hear you!” Sounds a little bit like a young Melanie sitting in the church pews! ;-)

Now in her ninth year as an interpreter, Melanie currently works as a Video Interpreter and is also a freelance interpreter. Before moving to North Carolina in 2009, Melanie established her own business in Chicago, signing for theatrical performances. Theatrical interpretation is Melanie’s true passion, which makes her a great fit for interpreting on cruises. The wide range of skills required to interpret on a cruise are a perfect fit for Melanie’s tremendous talent and skill set, and she really enjoys meeting the cruise staffs and passengers.

Working with Melanie has been a pleasure for me and CareVacations is very lucky to have her as a part of our team.

THANK YOU, MELANIE, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!!!