Irish Sign Language in healthcare

Irish Sign Language

Did you know that after Irish and English , Irish Sign Language (ISL) is the third official language of Ireland ?

Yet even the basics of ISL are not commonly taught in Irish Primary and Secondary schools. Irish Sign Language is primarily used by the Deaf community in Ireland. Statistics show that approximately 5,000 Deaf individuals use ISL as their first or preferred language. Also, it is estimated that up to 40,000 hearing people in Ireland use ISL.

Growing up in my church we had (and still have) members of deaf community , I was always so fascinated watching the ISL interpreter interprete the pastors sermon every Sunday. Thats when I remember wanting to be able to communicate through ISL for the first time but I did not know where to start.

I procrasinated until eventually the desire to learn sign language faded away.

Desire without discipline ? Dissappears

Fast forward many years later to my second year of nursing school and I am on clinical placement. I am caring for a patient who was born deaf and has been communicating through ISL all his life.

The encounter with this patient reminded me of how I previously longed to learn ISL but never took the first step to do so. I had to communicate with this patient by writing on paper or he would communicate what he wanted / needed by typing for me on his notes app.

Communication in healthcare between members of staff and patients plays a massive role in the standard of patient care. Patient care is a nurses priority.

I want to be a nurse who goes above and beyond for patients. I decided to take it upon myself to learn ISL to better myself as a nurse and as a member of society.

I paid €250 to do a 15 week Irish Sign Language course with the irish deaf society. Over the weeks, as I was doing the course I was also completing my third year clinical placements. I was taking care of a lady who was born deaf and who was signing. i walked to her bedside and greeted her "good morning , how are you , my name is Jennifer" in ISL and I vividly remember her face lighting up with what i would describe as joy and astonishment.

The little ISL that I have learned goes a long way and although I don’t come across individuals who sign every day, when I do ? Knowing just the even the basics makes all the difference .This skill not only bridges the communication gap, but also shows respect for each patient’s/individuals unique needs, ensuring they feel heard, understood, and valued.

That is the type of person I aim to be , someone who makes others feel heard , understood and valued.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” - Gandhi