Ella 

You shouldn’t let being deaf stop you from studying subjects that make you happy.

When my Mum was pregnant, she contracted CMV (Cytomegalovirus) which resulted in me being born with profound hearing loss in my right ear, and a deteriorating loss in my left ear. I also suffer from tinnitus, especially when I am tired or run down.

When I tell people that I am deaf and I study two languages at A Level, they often look at me with surprise! However, I am a firm believer that you shouldn’t let being deaf stop you from studying subjects that make you happy. I have just applied to University to study Spanish and History.

In addition to being busy with my studies, I also run the school newspaper. Recently, I interviewed Hattie Taylor (an Olympic Bronze Medalist in Rowing), Martha Collison (contestant on the Great British Bake Off) and Eve Humphrey (who starred in Starlight Express). I am Chair of the Community Committee (the Prefect Team). This gives me an opportunity to engage with individuals across our whole school community.

Both of these roles require me to communicate with people with a wide range of backgrounds and ages, be honest and, most of all, stick up for what I believe in. This is another example of how I don’t let being deaf hold me back.

Having something that makes you “different” to anyone else, doesn’t mean you can’t do something that everyone else has done. It might just mean you have to do things slightly differently, and there is nothing wrong with that! I want people to look at me, knowing that I am deaf, and see that I don’t let it stop me from pursuing my passions.

Nathan

My love for tennis started 12 years ago when I joined the local tennis club in Windsor, I enjoyed it so much that I joined a National Deaf Tennis team. 4 times a year we attend training camps in London and Nottingham. These camps are hard but it also gives me the opportunity to socialise with other deaf players and coaches. 

I have won the National Junior Championships twice, and represented Great Britain in Germany, and am now working my way towards the Men’s GB Deaf Tennis Team, hopefully competing in the Deaf Olympics in Japan later in the year.

My career path has been influenced by my love for tennis, I have completed my Level 1, Level 2 in Sports Coaching , and am currently studying my Level 3 which is a 2 year course at BCA. When I complete my course I would like to become a deaf tennis coach and help other children access the sport where needed.