English Translation:

I remember when I was 14 years old, I was excited to have the opportunity to join the Junior NAD. At that time, I did not fully understand what it was that I had done – but I was willing to watch, and learn.

I had already seen various members of the Deaf community, who were active in the State Associations. They had mentioned the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), and how important it was to be a member of the NAD.

I became involved in this escalating web of connections and relationships, between me as an individual, the Jr. NAD, and then the NAD. I later joined my State Association. With each new experience, the interplay of relationships became stronger and more apparent to me. I came to realize that joining was an act of investing in myself – and also an investment in my community, and an investment in an entire ecosystem.

This growing network of people and organizations, and my exposure to them, brought me to the realization that my involvement is a form of “insurance”. I’m investing in something that I cannot immediately see a result from. I do not know all the struggles that my community experiences. But the NAD is constantly working – fixing injustices, correcting wrongs, fighting for individuals – all while I am living my life.

By paying for this insurance, I am participating in a guarantee – that there is an organization that is doing the necessary work every day, to preserve and protect our rights as human beings. This is the best possible annual investment that I could make – to invest in myself, in my community, and our ecosystem. By joining the NAD - this is how I contribute to protect our future.