7 minute read
STRICTLY SPEAKING
EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis captured hearts and minds when she became the first deaf celebrity on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Since then applications for British Sign Language courses have soared by 3,000 per cent.
MC reporter Jo Henwood met people from the deaf community to find out what they think of the ‘Rose’ phenomenon – and find out what it’s like to live with little or no hearing.
SHELAGH LOVES STRICTLY
Health Link worker Shelagh Wishart
Shelagh Wishart’s passion for her job and the community she helps shines as brightly as any glitter ball.
Mersey Care health link worker Shelagh is a big Strictly fan, but this series is special, because so many more people are learning British Sign Language (BSL) since Rose joined Giovanni in the annual glitzy dance challenge.
Maybe it’s because Shelagh’s father has become deafened that’s aroused her passion – or maybe it’s just that she sees beyond what others see as a disability.
Shelagh tells how she once stepped in to help a young deaf woman receive an award from Prince Charles for her work in setting up a hairdressing business.
“I discovered that she wasn’t going to have an interpreter and I thought ‘I’m not having that! I’m not an official interpreter but I got the OK from a security guy, so I stepped in to sign for her.”
Shelagh thought the heir to the throne was very deaf aware.
“Prince Charles asked the lady if she could do anything with his own hair. She signed to me ‘tell him no, it’s a hopeless case’. I thought, ‘I can’t say that to the heir to the throne! I’ll be sent to the Tower!”
There is nothing that Shelagh won’t do to make a deaf person’s life easier. From helping people get practical aids like a flashing doorbell or a Typetalk telephone to advice on what to expect from a cervical screening test, she always goes the extra mile.
“Deaf people miss out on important information because no one has taken the time to explain it. For instance I was asked the other day during a cook and taste session what ‘Five a Day’ (five fruit and vegetables each day) meant.”
Shelagh works closely with Merseyside Society for Deaf People (MSDP), where she organises health related talks and information events to give deaf people a better understanding of vital support such as health screenings, how to understand high blood pressure, or how to come to terms with diagnosis or manage diabetes.
“Deaf people often don’t have access to computers or Smartphones”, says Shelagh. “It’s not right that they rely on a hearing person in their family to keep them up to date with health matters.”
Back to Strictly, Shelagh is thrilled that the judges have learnt some sign language and loves it when judge Craig Revel-Horwood signs his famous phrase Fab-u-lous. Her best bit is the deaf method of applauding Rose and Giovanni by waving. “Watching the judges and the other contestants waving their hands to clap is wonderful,” she says.
Rose and Giovanni created a storm on the dance floor in Strictly 2021
BBC
BBC
SUPERMARKETS AND STREETS MAKE ME ANXIOUS
When Lisa McKeown was 14 she had a bad bout of tonsilitis and an ear infection which caused her eardrum to perforate. At 20 and working, she was struggling to hear, especially when there was background noise.
Doctors confirmed she had only 70 per cent hearing in her left ear. At 27 she wore a hearing aid and suffered continuous ear infections, vertigo and labyrinthitis.
Last year an MRI scan revealed a condition called Chiari Malformation Type 1, which can put pressure on the brainstem and obstruct the flow of fluid. The mum of four is now on a waiting list to have a bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) early next year.
“When they tested me for the hearing aid I could finally hear a whisper. It was wonderful.”
She says colleagues have adapted to her hearing restrictions, but communicating and socialising is still a challenge.
“Being anywhere noisy – or on a busy street or supermarket – can be emotionally and physically draining. I find myself going out less and less.”
She’s been shy about speaking about herself, but thinks Rose’s efforts on Strictly are amazing. “She’s a fantastic advocate for the deaf community, she’s helping people stand up and say I’m deaf.”
BE MORE DEAF AWARE SAYS DAWN by Jo Henwood
Keep Dancing! Dawn Dignam and Lyn Ealey get into the spirit
Joel Goodman
Dawn Dignam, community support service manager at Merseyside Society for the Deaf Project was herself a dancer until she reached her teens.
She’s keen to champion the many talented deaf people who follow dance, comedy and even becoming a DJ.
“It’s hard if they can’t hear the beat, but deaf people are very visual – they learn by watching the teacher and copying what they do.”
Dawn’s says hearing people can become more deaf aware by:
• Making face to face, eye to eye contact
• Speaking clearly and slowly
• Being patient
• Keep the wording simple A DIFFERENT WAY
Keep Dancing! Dawn Dignam OF THINKING and Lyn Ealey get into the spirit.
Lyn Ealey (above right) has been profoundly deaf since birth and a powerful advocate for the Deaf community.
Watching her sign via her interpreter Paul on a video call is mesmerising.
She echoes Rose Ayling Ellis in lamenting the lack of signing in society and on TV, especially at important broadcasts such as COVID briefings. She tells the tragic tale of five members of her community who died in hospital of COVID-19, unable to communicate with masked doctors and nurses and without interpreters to explain what was happening to them.
“Why do we not have interpreters on TV? BSL is a very simple language. It took the deaf community a while to understand the terms around coronavirus and what it meant for them.”
Lyn set up a coffee morning to encourage deaf people to socialise more. Activities include drumming session with a LIPA teacher, bingo and talks.
Her own concerns – like having to deal with the thought that the interpreter at her smear test could be a man – are a stark reminder of the type of challenges deaf people face.
She says she no longer gets embarrassed, but she values Shelagh’s input to improve things.
“The language in health leaflets and doctors’ letters often has medical jargon, which can’t be translated into sign language, so it’s helpful to have someone like Shelagh to explain conditions like diabetes or what to expect at appointments or procedures.
Asked what else she’d like to add to her list of requests Lyn signs: “Boris Johnson. Get interpreters on the telly. Now.”
FIND OUT MORE
The Merseyside Society for Deaf People offer courses in British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness. For more information visit msdp.org or find them on Facebook or Twitter.
Find out how Giovanni Pernice has adapted his teaching style to teach Rose to dance by reading Rebecca A Withey’s blog at: limpingchickin.com.
Deaf Active, based at the Joseph Lappin Centre in Old Swan, promotes inclusive youth and play services for deaf children and young people, CODA’s (Children of Deaf Adults), Hard of Hearing children and their hearing family members and friends throughout Merseyside. Find out more at deafactive.org
