There is no more iconic gateway in my lifetime than Jurassic Park. Burnt into the front of my brain as a child, it’s remained there ever since. It evokes all kinds of feelings: fear, wonder, awe. It’s nostalgic. It’s otherworldly. It’s a reminder in these COVID times that people will, indeed, ignore the greater scientific warnings for their own selfish pursuits.
I’ve been inspired to play with ASL more in my art (something that’s already been done with incredible skill and artistry over the years) just as I’ve been inspired to play with ASL geography in my writing. I have no idea where it will lead. But, for now: welcome.
Whenever I show people the sign for “open”, I always remind them of doors. It seems like the easiest visual, the way our hands are almost perfectly shaped like arched entryways. But the sign can be applied to any number of hinged things.
What I find interesting these days about the sign for open is the placement. If I sign it right in front of the listener, you can open one or both hinges inwards or outwards. Either way, you’re opening yourself up to someone. You’re, as the gate above says, welcoming them.
The life of a disabled person means you’re careful who you’re opening yourself up to. You’ve been there when your story has been used – perhaps many times – for inspiration porn. You’ve seen it misused and misappropriated. You’ve seen the way they keep asking you to dig deeper and deeper, as if your central-most truth is all that different from anyone else’s.
