Click HERE to watch News Center Maine’s story about Dirigo Experience when their TV crew visited Pine Tree Camp this summer to interview Joshua Seal and the Maine kids taking part in this life-changing program for Deaf youth.
Joshua’s tragic death left an enormous hole in Maine’s Deaf community. As Director of Interpreting Services at Pine Tree Society, he not only impacted the lives of Deaf people and their families, he made communication and understanding possible in countless situations as an interpreter, mentor and tireless advocate.
He was widely known and loved as the ASL interpreter for Governor Janet Mills and Dr. Nirav Shah’s Maine CDC briefings during the pandemic.
His lasting legacy at Pine Tree Society is Pine Tree Camp’s Dirigo Experience, a life-changing summer camp experience for Deaf youth.
“It’s like being with family.” “I feel truly seen.”
That’s how one camper describes their participation with Pine Tree Camp’s Dirigo Experience.
Last summer, this unique week-long overnight camp for Maine’s Deaf and hard of hearing youth doubled in size since it first began in 2022.
Joshua was committed to breaking the cycle of isolation and creating safe space for Deaf people. We are committed to continuing his vision. Our entire team honors his memory as we mourn his loss.