Volume 1 Issue 7 February 2008 www.discoveringdeafworlds.com
Thank You For the Challenges because I met you in this infinite UniFor the first 33 years of his life, verse,” are the essence of who Take has Takeaki Kawamura was a dedicated musician in a well-known band become today. Take says that giving thanks again called “Take & Kame,” and passionand again for each inconvenience and ate about playing guitar and singfor each beautiful thing he sees makes ing. But in October 2001, Take’s him happy. Before his stroke, he took life changed forever, overnight. He little time to show his gratitude. Now survived a stroke, and was left with he has become an inspiration to anyone apashia (an impairment of the abilwho meets him, and glows with hapity to use or comprehend words), piness knowing he is making a differa speech impediment, moderate ence. Last year he sold over 10 million deafness, and paralysis of his right Take expressing post cards and has become known as arm. his gratitude for the “best selling silent sidewalk artist After months of grieving, hopeDDW's recent visit. in Japan.” When asked what his dream lessness and feeling “better off for the future was, he responded on his dead,” Take had a moment of ennotepad, “Right now!” lightenment when he started exOne of the many people Take has touched is a pressing himself through Japanese calligraphy. He began painting pictures overlapped with poetry, 19-year-old man, Shunsuke Hiura. At age five, Shun sending a strong message to his audience... Arigato. could run and play like any other kid. Then he was “Thank you for the challenges,” and “I’m so happy TAKE, continued on page 5
What is DDW? Dave Justice and Christy Smith are traveling the world to learn and share stories of empowerment, inspiration, and connection between international Deaf communities. Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) is an opportunity to give deaf people worldwide a voice. For more information, photos, video logs, and newsletter stories, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com.
Did You Know... • Japan has the ninth largest population in the world with 127 million people. • To greet one another in Japan, bow with arms on your sides. (No hugging or handshakes except between family and close friends.) • Japan consists of approximately 3,900 islands. • Many Japanese people wear ventilation masks to prevent spreading common colds. • Tsukuba University of Technology in Tokyo is developing a Remote Sign Language Interpreting System to make more university level classes available to deaf and hard of hearing students. February 2008 1