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By SAHELY MUKERJI
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
With his long hair and flowing beard, Don Stringfield could be mistaken for an avant-garde mystic from the ‘60s.
When he begins to talk, his liquid gestures represent choreographed communication.
Don Stringfield, a resident of Amissville, is congenitally deaf and uses his hands to talk. He also loves to play the drums and is taking lessons in playing the guitar.
In his late thirties, Stringfield works as an independent carrier for the Fauquier Times-Democrat and teaches American Sign Language at his home.
As an ASL tutor, Stringfield seems to be quite popular. “Don is an excellent teacher,” said Beth Levick, musician, singer and music instructor. “He has the patience that allows for understanding at your own pace. His gesturing of words to aid in your understanding helps make the learning fun.”
Autumn Barkdoll, physician’s assistant, agrees with Ms. Levick. “Don is a great teacher. He is easy to work with and communicate with, works patiently with you at your level and speed of learning.”
Bom in Butler, Ga., Stringfield attended a school for the deaf. “I moved to California when I was 21 years old,” he said over the Virginia Relay system. “I was searching for something different.”
He had the chance to go to college for free in California and “grabbed it.” He lived in the bay area of Oakland, Ca. and attended Laney College. Later, he moved to Santa Cruz.
“It was an interesting, new life in Santa Cruz,” recalled Stringfield, who considers himself a health freak. “The people were my kind. They were strongly conscious about health and there were many health food stores. It was the right town for me. Soon I found a job with ASL as a teaching assistant.”
Working with ASL led Stringfield to adult education. “I taught ASL classes and tutored people on the side.”
He wanted to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and left Santa Cruz when he was 32.
“After spending a year in Washington, D.C. and failing to get into the university,” said Stringfield, “I realized I missed the country, nature
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