For Patricia Stoner, there is a difference between blindness and deafness in how it affects people.

"Blindness separates you from things of the world. Deafness separates you from people," Stoner said.

It is a Helen Keller quote Stoner is fond of and believes as gospel.

"And that's what the deaf community experiences all the time," she said.

Stoner shies away from the spotlight, except when it comes to her passion for sign language and the dozens of people she serves at Melbourne's Ascension Catholic Church.

It is like the Holy Spirit is coming down.

Twenty-seven years ago, her sister underwent a tracheotomy. She could not speak and Stoner wished they could use sign language to communicate.

"That was the catalyst that started it," she said.

She learned how and built the church's deaf ministry from the ground up.

And over the years she began to sign for sermons, baptisms, weddings, and other events.

Other fellow signers have joined in and the group has not missed a weekend of church.

Stoner hopes the public is not afraid of treating deaf or hearing impaired equally.

"(The) Deaf don't think they are handicapped. They just say 'my ears are broken,'" she explained.

But the bond between Stoner and those she serves is far from broken.

One sign at a time.