DPN10 Anniversary: In Their Own Words-Annie Wood

Annie Wood

As a freshman at Gallaudet, I was new to the "outside, real world." At first, I was unaccustomed to deaf people, for I am considered "oral," but I picked up ASL really quick, made lots of friends. I even was the football team equipment manager, I learned so many things during that year. I am forever grateful that I got the chance to be there when the DPN protest emerged. I was a part of the protest, but not in a very big way. I sat at the front, with other students, and attended meetings. To be honest, I did not realize the impact until Greg Hlibok was on national TV and my parents back home were amazed and proud of us. The affect it has on me now is that one should never, ever be ashamed to be deaf. I'm a proud Deaf American, even though I did not graduate from Gallaudet, or any college. I will regret that part forever, because I would love to have a college degree on my wall that says "Gallaudet" to show that I was there during DPN. The people I worked with could not place where they have heard the name "Gallaudet" until I told them about the protest. They said: "Oh, yes! Were you there??" They were proud to know up close and personal a student who was involved with DPN. I will always cherish the memories I experienced during DPN. I did not think we would succeed, because we were the silent voices that only deaf people can "hear." But, during the protest, the whole world heard us loud and clear.

Thank you Gally/DPN for teaching me that valuable lesson.

Annie Wood (formerly Lee)
Columbia, SC

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