inFlux | Signs of Progress

s Eric Henderson stepped into the breakfast line, he scanned the room and saw only strangers. For the first time in his life, he was surrounded by

people who were just like him. Yet he still felt alone. As Eric sat by himself, he watched the other students speaking with their hands. After he finished eating, Eric went back to the dorms. Soon he realized everyone else was gone. At this school, students carefully followed the clock. They had all headed for class without him.

Eric grabbed his notebook and asked a janitor where his classroom was, awkwardly spelling out each word with his hands, one letter at a time. The janitor pointed down the hall. Eric signed "thank you," one of the few complete signs he knew. As he walked into the classroom, all the students turned and stared.