Levi Traxler, was born and raised in Ohio with his 4 siblings, 3 of whom are Deaf. He is
profoundly Deaf and he recently sat down for an interview with his brother, Paul Szefer (pictured below), who has typical hearing.
What was it like growing up with a deaf sibling?
At the time, I didn’t know it was any different. We played together, we argued, we worked
together to convince our parents to take us out to buy candy. I was lucky that ASL was emphasized in our family from a young age because communication was never an issue for us. Looking back, it was a big part of our family’s identity. Sign language was often the main method of communication. We went to events built around deaf culture – Deaf Deaf World, Camping at Hornby Island. We were constantly learning about Deaf culture and how to communicate as a family.
Were there any early moments that shaped your understanding of deaf culture?
Sitting around the campfire at Hornby Island, seeing how the stories were told with so much visual description brought an extra level of depth and emotion to the stories that are difficult to achieve verbally. I still remember some of them today 20 years later.
When did you first become aware that your sibling was Deaf?
There was no individual moment. It was part of our family’s culture from the time I was born. We were lucky that our parents made this a priority and it enabled us to be a lot closer.
Did you ever feel pressure to interpret or mediate communication for your sibling?
I did – I wanted to make things easier and ensure that communication wasn’t a barrier for my sister. Even now, I need to remind myself sometimes that it’s not my job, or that it’s okay to take a break.
Were there moments when you felt left out — or alternatively, too involved?
There were. When interpreting, I am acting as an extension of both people – my sister when I am speaking what she signs to me, and the other person when I am signing what is being spoken. It often felt strange in social situations to figure out where I fit into that dynamic. The more I shared my own thoughts or opinions, the less I was interpreting authentically. The less I shared my own thoughts, the less I felt as a part of the conversation.
What message would you give to other SODAs who might feel isolated or unsure of their role?
1. I recommend learning sign language because it makes communication easier and will enable you to have a richer relationship with your sibling.
2. It is not your job to interpret or act on behalf of your sibling. If they ask you for help and you feel comfortable, go for it!
