MEET

Michele (pictured above) was born partially deaf and became completely Deaf after speech acquisition. She communicates using either American Sign Language (ASL) or Contact Sign (formerly known as Pidgin Sign English or PSE), depending on with whom she is chatting. She is also fluent in all forms of English (reading, writing, speaking, etc.). Michele can voice for herself, but tries to have an interpreter with her to help knock down any communication barriers that might arise. She is certified by Sign2Me to teach Sign With Your Baby workshops. She is a member of the National Association of the Deaf, the Greater Grand Rapids Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Association of Late Deafened Adults, the West Michigan Association of the Deaf and the Michigan Association of the Deaf. Michele is a Christian who desires to live her life to glorify the Lord.

A freelance writer by trade, Michele has been published in many periodicals. You can learn more about her writing at www.MicheleBornert.com.

Kenny Bornert, husband and partner of Michele, attends the workshops, presentations and classes to help facilitate effective communication. Although not a certified interpreter, Kenny is able to help relay information through Sign. In this way, the communication barriers are broken down and Michele and her audience can understand each other with relative ease. Besides hanging out with his wife and three children, in his spare time, Kenny enjoys making homemade jerky, archery, and sharing his love of Christ.

Michele teaching a Conversational Sign Class (above left); Michele with Gallaudet's first deaf president, I. King Jordan (above right).

Although email is our preferred method of contact, you can also reach us by phone.....

Call Michele's Sidekick. If you have TEXT on your phone, send a text to Michele at (616) 516-6314 or

Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn whatever state I am in, therin to be content. ~Helen Keller