The following article appeared in the Oregonian, May 31, 2002

Silent Applause for Chestnut Lane

Gresham, Oregon. The people attending the groundbreaking for the Chestnut Lane assisted-living facility didn't say much out loud, but their hands were full of joy.

As gold-painted shovels sank into the grass Thursday morning, many of the elderly deaf people who were watching raised their hands to head level and shook them.

"That's applauding," said Mae Johnson, president of Deaf Northwest, the nonprofit agency that will operate Chestnut Lane. "If you can't hear it, it doesn't make any difference. But if you can raise your hands, everybody can see you like it."

The 70-unit facility for deaf and deaf-blind elderly, which will take shape this summer at Northeast Cleveland Avenue and Sixth Street, will be the first of its kind in the Northwest.

The region's deaf community is ecstatic about it, and 40 of the rooms have been reserved. Elderly deaf people often are isolated in traditional nursing homes because fellow residents and staff don't know sign language.

"It will be great," Harold Whitmer, 84, signed through an interpreter. "I won't be so lonesome; I will be with people who can talk to me."

Louise Van Roekel, 85, said she lives alone in a Portland apartment and is excited about being able to move to Chestnut Lane. She said she will feel safer in the facility and will welcome the company.

Harry Britzius, 84, said he isn't ready to move into an assisted-living facility, yet -- he is independent and likes to work on his garden . but welcomes having the option when the time comes that he needs help.

"Oh, yes," he signed through an interpreter. "I think it's very good for deaf people; it's so wonderful."

Britzius, who has known Johnson since she was a girl, brought her a gift for the groundbreaking: a 7-pound can of Allens vegetarian beans.

"It's such a big can," he said. "I donated it to her for her home."

Britzius grabbed a shovel and took a turn with some of the dignitaries doing spade work during the ceremony.

Linda Roby, a Roman Catholic nun who works with deaf people in the Archdiocese of Portland, led the crowd of 80 in a "ground blessing."

Elderly deaf become anxious when they lose independence and need help in their day-to-day affairs, she said.

"I think God up in heaven is looking down at us, smiling, as excited as we are," she said, providing a simultaneous interpretation in sign language.

Johnson, the Chestnut Lane president, is a registered nurse and operates a Gresham foster home for elderly deaf. She began planning the project two years ago out of concern for her parents, who are deaf.

The site is considered ideal for its future residents. It is within walking distance of a MAX light-rail stop and is a couple of blocks from Multnomah County's new services building.

The four-story complex will have 62 studio apartments and eight one-bedroom units.

Funding for the $7 million project comes from the state Housing and Community Services Division, the city of Gresham and Multnomah County.

Construction is expected to begin in June.