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STORM Lessons From the Future with Empath Deena Morris
- Kathleen Marcath
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
by ASL Picture Books
While listening to Kevin Crispin’s Behind Beautiful Things podcast, I was introduced to Deena Morris—and I am delighted to share her story with you. Deena is fluent in American Sign Language, and her heartfelt immersion in the Deaf community makes her story especially close to my heart. She is a beautiful person with a meaningful story—one that reflects her deep love for the Deaf community and the relationships she has built within it.
In her book, Lessons from the Future: STORM the Empowered Empath, Deena tells her story through Marlii, a joyful, thoughtful little girl who feels like “a walking hug.” Marlii is deeply aware of the emotions around her. “She could feel what people felt, like her heart had antennas.” But carrying everyone else’s feelings soon becomes overwhelming.
Inspired by her beloved stuffed sloth, Marlii begins learning to slow down, remain calm, and listen to what she needs. Then, during a quiet moment alone in the woods, a mysterious woman named STORM appears. She looks strangely familiar—and has come to help Marlii understand that she is an empath.
Together, they practice calming strategies, set healthy boundaries, and care for themselves before trying to carry others' burdens. Like putting on your own oxygen mask first, taking care of yourself allows you to be there for others without losing yourself.
This is a brilliant and beautiful story—an empowering one: STORM Lessons From the Future with Empath Deena Morris, as STORM returns to guide her younger self—and to shine a light for children and adults who may recognize themselves in Marlii.
A Lifelong Connection to American Sign Language
I love hearing life stories and discovering how one childhood experience can quietly shape a lifelong journey. Deena’s story is a beautiful example.
Immersed in ASL and the Deaf Community
There is something beautiful about finding the place where you simply fit. Deena describes the Deaf community as her “perfect match”—a relationship built over years through trust, support, and genuine connection. What began as a love for learning ASL became something much deeper: a community she treasures and considers an honor to be part of.
Language First: More Than Speech
Deena’s answer highlights an important distinction: speech and language are not the same thing. But what stayed with me most was the heart behind her words.
There is such grace in choosing to enter a child’s world rather than expecting the child to enter yours. Deena’s approach reflects a deep respect for each child—their language, their experiences, and the way they understand and communicate with the world around them.
That kind of empathy creates more than language opportunities. It creates trust, connection, and a place where a child can truly be known.
Our Human Need to Be Understood
Let’s never forget that we are all human. I love how gently Deena’s answer brings us back to that simple truth. We all naturally seek the people and places where we feel understood, valued, and connected.
And it is within that kind of space that children are free to learn, grow, explore, and discover their own gifts and talents—the very things they will one day carry with them and share with the world.
I especially like “the people and places where we feel understood, valued, and connected.” That feels universal. It takes the reflection beyond Deaf and hearing, reminding the reader why language and connection matter to every human being.
When the Right Word Helps You Find Yourself
Have you ever met an empath—someone who seems to feel not only their own emotions, but the emotions of those around them? Maybe this sounds like you.
Deena’s answer makes me think about the extraordinary power of a single word. Empath didn’t change who she was. It gave her language for something she had carried all along.
Words are baskets. We fill them with meaning and use them to carry our inner world to others. But sometimes, a word becomes a basket for understanding ourselves.
Have you ever found a word and thought, There I am?
Empaths Need Boundries
There is a powerful lesson in Deena’s story: caring deeply for someone does not mean carrying everything for them.
Empathy allows us to enter another person’s emotional world—but where is the line between understanding someone’s pain and taking that pain on as our own?
Deena learned that distinction through a difficult experience. Then she did something meaningful with it: she turned what she learned into a resource for young people.
Deena’s experience illustrates that empathic closeness involves providing support while maintaining one's own sense of self.
STORM Lessons From the Future with Empath Deena Morris
In many ways, Deena’s answer to this question is the book itself. After working with children and seeing young empaths struggle to understand and manage their gift, she became determined to give them the guidance she wished she had received as a child. Through Lessons from the Future: STORM the Empowered Empath, Deena reaches back to her younger self while helping today’s children understand their feelings, protect their peace, set healthy boundaries, and recognize the beauty within their gift.
Reimagining Education Through Storytelling, Empathy, and Connection
Deena is not simply reimagining education—she has created an entire collection to help make that vision a reality. Beginning with the picture book Lessons from the Future: STORM the Empowered Empath, the collection also includes:
Lessons from the Future — Storm the Empowered Empath (Audiobook)
Together, these resources bring empathy, emotional literacy, and connection into education through storytelling, discussion, role-play, vocabulary, and hands-on practice. They give children age-appropriate opportunities to understand their emotions, recognize others' feelings, establish healthy boundaries, and build stronger connections—all alongside their academic learning.
Learning ASL: Creating Connection, Community, and Unity
I love the way Deena reminds us that learning ASL reaches far beyond communication. When children learn to communicate in a way that may be different from their own, they are also learning to pay attention, be patient, and consider another person’s experience.
That is where compassion begins. ASL can open a child's eyes to inclusion in a very natural way—helping them understand that connection sometimes means stepping into someone else's world and learning how to meet them there. What a beautiful lesson for children to carry with them as they grow.
Connect with Deena: Lessons from the Future
Deena has given us so much to think about throughout this conversation—from language and empathy to inclusion, connection, and helping children understand themselves and one another. I hope you’ll continue exploring her work and the resources she has created through Lessons from the Future.
Website: LessonsFromTheFuture.org
Instagram: @New.Beginnings1983
Never Stop Growing, Learning, and Connecting
What a beautiful message to end our conversation with. Deena reminds us that growth doesn't have an age limit. Whether we are children, parents, educators—or simply human beings—we can remain curious, humble, and open to learning.
When we continue learning about ourselves and take the time to learn about others, we make room for greater understanding, empathy, and connection.
May we never stop growing, never stop learning, and never stop finding new ways to connect with one another.
Coming Soon in American Sign Language
The next chapter is taking shape in ASL. Deena shared what she hopes to begin working on this fall:
“I’m also excited to begin working on an ASL translation of Lessons from the Future this fall. As a longtime ASL interpreter and someone with a deep connection to the Deaf community, making this story accessible in ASL is especially meaningful to me.I plan to collaborate with a Deaf ASL storyteller and a professional performance interpreter so that the translation goes beyond simply translating the words and captures the heart, emotion, and meaning of the story naturally and authentically in ASL. I’m looking forward to seeing this part of the project come to life.”
Thank You, Deena
Deena, thank you for sharing your story, your wisdom, and your heart with us. Your journey is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we remain open to learning—not only about the world around us, but about ourselves and one another.
We are grateful for your commitment to the Deaf community, your belief in the power of language and storytelling, and the work you are doing to help others grow in empathy and understanding.
Continue Deena’s journey: Explore Lessons From the Future: STORM the Empowered Empath and learn more about her books and resources.
Something exciting is ahead: Deena is also working on an ASL version of her work, making her message even more accessible to the Deaf community. Stay connected with Deena and be among the first to know when it is released.
At ASL Picture Books, Our Purpose Remains the Same
Helping children and families discover the beauty of American Sign Language while building a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.
Have you ever experienced a moment when communication changed everything?
Maybe it was learning a new sign, connecting with a Deaf friend or family member, helping a child express a need, or realizing there are many ways to communicate beyond spoken words.
We’d love to hear your story. Share your experience in the comments below and keep the conversation going.
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