LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) Most people are familiar with Hellen Keller, a woman who could not hear or see since a baby. There's a group in Arkansas in a similar situation, but many acquired blindness later in life and had to learn how to communicate all over again.
"Deafness keeps people away. Blindness keeps things away," said Art Babin is the former president of the Arkansas Deaf Blind Community.
His hand is on top of the interpreter's. Babin has Usher Syndrome, meaning he was born deaf, and lost his vision later in adult life.
"I've learned to read Braille. I thank my mother for encouraging me to make those changes," he said.
This former computer programmer's mother, Betty Babin, also has Usher's.
"I can cook. I can read. I can work with my flowers. I can do all those types of things. That's alright," said Betty Babin.
The group meets once a month. These socials are a great way for people to learn how to sign and of course, dine. Yet, the Babbins know some people are out there who have their condition and feel alone.
"If there was a way we could bring them in, and meet with us, and just have somebody to talk to," said Betty Babin.