STLCOP Student Shares Passion for Sign Language
Published on 27 March 2015
“Steven with a ‘v’ for victory, not a ‘ph’ for phony. That is unless you know a Stephen with a ‘ph’, then it stands for sophisticated. I don’t like to make enemies the first time I meet someone.”
Freshman Steven Kramer introduces himself by signing his introduction. His passion for American Sign Language (ASL) is evident from the moment you meet him. Kramer’s love of sign language began in eighth grade when he joined the ASL Club. After learning how to sign the song We Are the World for a school talent show, he knew he wanted to advocate for the Deaf community.
“We performed the song with music playing, but then we purposefully had the music stop and continued signing, so that those in the audience could experience being deaf,” Kramer said. “It was so quiet in the audience that you could hear a pin drop. That moment really touched me.”
While attending O’Fallon Township High School, Kramer sparked interests amongst his peers and tried to implement an ASL organization, but was unable to find a teacher to sponsor his program. He then enrolled in sign language courses and joined the ASL Club at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC).
After attending STLCOP Freshmen Orientation this past summer, he spoke with Toni McMurphy, vice president of culture and campus life, and explained his dream of starting an ASL organization on campus. McMurphy agreed to sponsor his organization.
After four years of waiting, Kramer’s dream was finally becoming a reality. As president of the ASL Club, he is tasked with educating nearly 30 members on how to help the Deaf community as future health care professionals.
“Through special guests and presentations, members learn basic sign language skills and about technology that has been created to better serve the Deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind,” Kramer said.
Through his membership in the SWIC ASL Club, Kramer was able to help bring two ASL interpreters to the College’s fall play, The Curious Savage, in order to provide a deaf-friendly event. He looks forward to the new opportunities the STLCOP ASL Club will provide in connecting the College with the Deaf community.
“I hope to make more events deaf-friendly and eventually work with faculty to incorporate sign language into academic courses as a way to help prepare future pharmacists to better serve those with hearing loss,” he said.
In the future, the ASL Club will work with other STLCOP organizations, SWIC ASL Club, and the Deaf community in St. Louis to raise awareness and understand the needs of the Deaf community.
Missouri HOSA: Future Health Professional Interview
Can you imagine living 11 years without an effective way to communicate?
In 2017, I had the opportunity to work with an 11-year-old deaf boy recently adopted by a hearing family, who wanted to learn sign language. For the first 11 years of his life, he had no language. When I met him, he did not even know his name! Over the following year, I assisted his new family by connecting them with resources, so that they could learn sign language together.
When I was a senior in high school, I discovered the research of Dr. McKenzie Ferguson about the need for pharmacists to be more accessible for their Deaf patients. Her work motivated me to begin the seven-year journey at St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
My goal is to collaborate with Centers for Independent Living, which is led by people with disabilities to empower people with disabilities. Since COVID, I have connect with The Advocacy Exchange to continue to empower the community virtually.
I will educate healthcare providers, as well as the public, on accessibility for people with disabilities and then empower people with disabilities to be advocates for their health. Join the mission in the ASL club in the Tallo Community.
Steven Kramer
Pharm.D. Candidate
St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Read the interview articles by STLCOP@UHSP and APhA's Pharmacy Today below!
Note: Due to a recent UHSP website update, the articles are not viewable at this time. This is outside of my control.
ASL Awareness Week Brings Thoughtful Discussion to the Forefront
STLCOP@UHSP Marketing Interview
According to the World Health Organization, 5 percent of the world’s population has disabling hearing loss. This special population has not gone unnoticed by the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) and the American Sign Language (ASL) Club.
Beyond limits:
Caring for patients with disabilities
APhA's Pharmacy Today April 2020
The expectations for patients and pharmacists are a little different at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT. Most patients are not expecting to have a pharmacist visit them,” said Kevin Awugah, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist covering the medical rehabilitation unit and neurobehavioral units. Patients certainly don’t think a pharmacist will come read to them, either—but that happens on occasion when pharmacists and other hospital staff volunteer to read books to pediatric patients on weekends.
Advocating for the Deaf Community
STLCOP@UHSP Marketing Interview
P3 student Steven Kramer is using his passion for American Sign Language and pharmacy as a way to raise awareness about ways to support the Deaf community and empower individuals with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
