Who am I?

Hello, I'm Roger Wilkins, and welcome to Re-Awakening! My life has been a journey of discovery, transformation, and a continuous pursuit of passion, all shaped by my unique Deaf experience.

My Deaf Journey & Language Roots

I became Deaf at one year old due to spinal meningitis. Growing up in Rancho Cordova, near Sacramento, California, I initially communicated through Total Communication. It wasn't until my junior and senior years at Fremont School for the Deaf that I was fully immersed in the vibrant world of American Sign Language (ASL). That immersion was truly a pivotal "re-awakening" for me, profoundly shaping my identity and communication. After graduating from Fremont in 1985, I moved to Utah at 17, and it's been home for 40 years as of August 2025.

Education & Giving Back to the Deaf Community

My path continued with education and a desire to contribute. After pursuing my studies (including 8 months serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Oklahoma City and St. Louis Missions, specifically serving the Deaf community; a semester at Gallaudet University in 1989; and a year at Rochester Institute of Technology in 1997-1998), I proudly earned my B.S. in Business Management with an emphasis on Small Business from Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) in 2003. My commitment to the Deaf community also led me to co-found and serve as President of Camp Liahona for Deaf Children in Utah from 1986-1990. I also shared my passion for ASL as an instructor at Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, and Utah Valley State College for a combined couple years from 2002-2004.

An Entrepreneurial Spirit

My professional journey then took an exciting entrepreneurial turn. For about eight years, starting in 2004, I built and managed my own online retail business, initially through eBay and then with my own online store and a warehouse in Provo, Utah. I specialized in "As Seen on TV" products, Little Giant Ladders, Sunsetter Awnings, and more – a truly diverse and hands-on experience in the world of e-commerce and retail.

A Passion for Travel & A New "Re-Awakening" in Health

In 2011, after a memorable family cruise to Alaska, I discovered a new calling. For eight years, until 2019, my full-time work was as a cruise planner, cherishing the opportunity to help Deaf groups explore incredible cruise destinations primarily within and around the USA. These included voyages to Alaska, Hawaii, the Eastern and Western Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), the Panama Canal, and sailings from New York to Bermuda. During this time, I also regularly assisted other families and friends in planning their ideal cruise getaways. This period, however, brought an unexpected "re-awakening" of a different kind. While I had experienced Fibromyalgia Syndrome since my later 40s, it significantly worsened by age 52, with debilitating brain fog, leading me to retire. It was a challenging shift, but one that has opened doors to new forms of contribution and self-discovery.

My Current Chapter & Family

Now, at 57 (turning 58 in October 2025), I embrace this new chapter. My greatest joy is my beautiful family: my Deaf wife, Donna Wellman-Wilkins, whom I'll be celebrating 30 years of marriage with in August 2025, and our five wonderful children, ranging from 17 to 27 years old, including our youngest twins. They are all CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults) and the heart of my world.

Through "Re-Awakening," I aim to share the insights, strategies, and lessons learned from my diverse experiences – in business, in personal growth, and in navigating life's unexpected turns – all delivered in ASL, empowering you on your own journey of growth and transformation.