Fifteen years ago, as a freshman at Montclair State, Policelli wanted to take American Sign Language but at that time, she says, seniors and athletes had first dibs on the course. She started talking to one of her classmates, a softball player, about it. \u201cShe offered to sign up for the class and then drop it so I could get her spot.\u201d<\/p>\n
As it turned out, the class had such an impact on Policelli that she minored in ASL and later went back to school to become an interpreter. She worked as an interpreter and now teaches ASL to middle schoolers.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s more: \u201cI have a 5-year-old son who is non verbal who has a genetic disorder,\u201d she told TikTokers. \u201cAnd I am able to provide him with language to communicate, all thanks to that softball player.\u201d<\/p>\n
In fact, Policelli\u2019s son, who speaks just a handful of words, has learned 150-200 signs in the last year and half \u2013 greatly reducing his frustration levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one small act of kindness changed my whole life, and I had no idea who this person was who helped put me on the right path in life,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
TikTokers were touched by the story, and since she couldn\u2019t remember the player\u2019s name, they went to work, making the video go viral, and within a day, put Policelli in touch with former Montclair State pitcher<\/a> Leigh Ann Murduca \u201909, \u201911 MA.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI was honestly shocked, and I\u2019m not going to lie, I definitely cried a bit,\u201d says Murduca about hearing the story. \u201cI am just so happy for her. It\u2019s crazy how a small favor I did such a long time ago had such a butterfly effect.\u201d<\/p>\n This week, Policelli and Murduca reunited on the Montclair State campus \u2013 the first time they\u2019d seen each other since Murduca gave “her spot” in the class to Policelli 15 years ago. They both went on to become teachers and mothers. (Murduca, who also ended up taking ASL at Montclair, teaches high school math and has a 2-year-old son.)<\/p>\n \u201cAs a mother, I see how important it is to be able to communicate with my son, and be there for him when he needs me,\u201d Murduca said. \u201cI get chills thinking about how this story played out, and I\u2019m so happy that Amy is able to communicate and be literally the perfect mom for her son.\u201d<\/p>\n In the month since the TikTok was posted, it has been viewed 5.7 million times, received 1.3 million likes and Policelli\u2019s number of followers has grown to more than 102,000. She has spent a lot of time responding to the nearly 8,200 comments she received \u2013 as well as comments on follow-up videos \u2013 making it possibly another seemingly small decision that may have changed her life.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone has been so positive and so supportive,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s been such an amazing experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Story by Editorial Director Laura Griffin<\/a>; photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You may also like:<\/p>\n![\"amy](\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2021\/09\/090721_5534_Amy-Policelli-Leigh-Ann-Murduca-TikTok-scaled.jpeg.0.1x.generic.jpg\")