2 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.
Health Link worker Shelagh Wishart
Shelagh Wishart’s passion for her job and the community she helps shines as brightly as any glitter ball. SHELAGH
LOVES STRICTLY
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 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