Stories

In October 2018 I went with two of my old teachers of the deaf from Tasmania to work in Central Asia. We visited many deaf children and their families and also met the wonderful Deaf tutors. I enjoyed working with the children and showing the tutors some new ways to play and tell stories.

It was challenging for me to communicate in a different Sign Language but the biggest challenge was some of the stories told. So many stories broke my heart.

I heard many stories about deaf children brought up with no sign language or no communication and how frustrated they had been before learning sign or going to school. I was really sad to hear how some deaf children became disabled by drugs the doctors told parents would be cure their child of deafness. Also, some doctors encourage families to buy cochlear implants they can’t afford with little information and no support provided after the operation.

I was proud to go to Central Asia as a Deaf woman, to be a role model and show that deafness can be normal. We are truly lucky in Australia to have lots of support from high quality doctors, good education, accurate information as well as our wonderful Deaf or hard of hearing community to support each other.