Zaya: CODA Experience

Zaya shares her experience as a CODA! Check out the interesting experience on how it differs when you live in two different countries!

Image Description: Asian woman with long-wavy hair. She wears a pink sweater standing in front of a gray wall.

Transcript:
Hello, my name is Uuganzaya. I know my name is long, but it's Zaya for short; this is my sign name. I am from Mongolia. It's located between Russia and China. Today I want to share my CODA experience here in America. If you don't know what CODA means, let me explain it to you. CODA means children of deaf adults. My parents are both deaf. Growing up, I always interpreted for my parents; I thought it was a normal thing to do. Back in the days, not many people were aware of deaf people, deaf culture, and sign language. Also, an interpreting service was not available to use. Most times, deaf people get help from their parents, siblings, and their children. Time passed, when I turned 16 or 17, my family moved to America. Everything felt new to me: new people, new places, and new culture. A few months later, I had to enroll in high school. But before enrolling in high school, I had to see a doctor, to get proved that I am healthy with no illness. I was worried deep down because If I were in Mongolia, I could easily communicate and interpret. But here in America, I was not sure how to communicate and interpret. At that time, I did not know any English at all; I felt stupid.
My dad and I went to the hospital and waited for the doctor to arrive in the doctor's office. The doctor came and started talking in English. I could not understand anything. So, the doctor started signing. I was amazed by the doctor; the doctor knew how to sign. I was fascinated. My dad and doctor started to have a conversation. Having my dad interpret for me felt strange. Because I used to interpret for him all the time and now our places got changed. It felt odd. After the doctor's visit, my dad had to make another appointment for later. The nurse brought a machine that looked like a computer. My dad started signing and made the appointment. I asked him what it was, and he said it's Video Remote Interpreting. It's incredible here that deaf people are lucky to get full accessibility, and children do not have to interpret for their parents. That's my CODA experience here in America. Bye!