For someone who is hard of hearing, seeing facial expressions and reading lips is an absolutely necessary part of their communication. But with so many now wearing masks to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, it has added a whole additional level of isolation to those who now can’t understand what others are saying. But fortunately, an innovative and creative college student, Ashley Lawrence, has come up with a solution through her making of masks that have clear plastic, allowing one to see the mouth of the person wearing the mask. Judaism teaches that speech is the hallmark of humanity. It is not our ability to think or our intellect, but rather our ability to share our innermost thoughts and feelings with another is what makes us human. Thanks to Ashley Lawrence, now those who already overcome challenges to communicate will not be further disadvantaged.
