Big Brothers, Sisters program in Virginia adds deaf children

From The News Leader in Virginia:

STAUNTON, Va. —Treanna Pinnock, 5, (pictured) looked up at her mother with uncertainty as her guidance counselor, Jennifer Lawhorne, knelt before her and flashed a welcoming smile.

"Treanna, you're going to meet a new person today," she said softly, her hands signing along with her words.

Treanna walked across the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind cafeteria to meet her new friend, 64-year-old Rachel Bavister, who was waiting with an even broader smile (right in picture).

As the first pairing with a deaf child that Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge has ever had, Treanna and Bavister had a slightly quieter first meeting than most mentors and their "Littles," as Bavister signed energetically to bring Treanna out of her shell.

Because she's the only kindergartner at VSDB, Treanna doesn't have many friends, said her mother, Ann Pinnock.

She hopes spending more time with Bavister through the Big Sisters program will help Treanna's self-confidence.

"She's just a very shy girl, and I just want her to have a relationship, have a friend," Pinnock said.

They talked about dogs and cats as they colored, munching on grilled cheese sandwiches and salad. Treanna sat, chin in her hand, not saying much in return, but her eyes sparkled as Bavister signed.

"I hate when deaf children don't get to communicate 100 percent," Bavister said. "Just a little bit here and there, it's just not right."

Bavister became interested in Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2007, but she said she wanted to wait for a deaf child who needed a mentor because she's worked with students at VSDB for more than 30 years.

Big Brothers Big Sisters program director Vicki Davis said she has wanted to reach out to the deaf community for years, and Pinnock's interest in the program has gotten the ball rolling.

With any luck, she said, more members of the deaf community will come forward to spend time with VSDB students through their program. Because many of the students board at VSDB, they don't get to see their parents as often as other children, and many could use the adult companionship.

"I think this is really important," she said. "Just because they're deaf doesn't mean they don't need a positive role model in their lives."

Bavister said once Treanna feels more comfortable with her, she plans to read and color with her, take her to the park and introduce Treanna to her 6-year-old granddaughter.

"I want Treanna to know that the deaf can," Bavister said. "The world doesn't have to be this small, little box just because she's deaf."