As you know I am Deaf and have a wonderful family. I have met so many families with their deaf children, at least 90% of 45,000 deaf children have hearing parents. Most of them are still struggling to communicate with their own deaf children mainly because professionals told them not to learn sign language from the start. We want to change this by supporting both families and their children to learn BOTH LANGUAGES - English and BSL. This will make a real difference! Please support this.....
That is why I am very keen in helping the BDA in their 125th year raising much needed funds for the following project "Deaf Roots & Pride" after its successful pilot in Northern Ireland roll out to the rest of UK.
This project will pay for mentors to visit and support deaf children, young people and their families at home. The cost is £70,000 a year for the next 2 years. They have already raised about £40,000 leaving a shortfall of £30,000 a year.
Your help in raising funds for this. Deaf children and young people will have the opportunity to receive mentoring support from other Deaf peers who are positive role models, get help to improve their own self-esteem, develop skills in breaking down communication barriers and explore opportunities/options to make best decisions for themselves. Mentors will receive accredited mentoring training and will be CRB-checked.
For your interest, Channel Four recently made a short TV programme about deaf children and families, part of the short film shows young family with their little deaf girl - British Deaf Association runs the pilot project “Signs at Home” as part of Deaf Roots and Pride project, although Channel Four didn’t mention British Deaf Association, yet the story helps you to understand how important to every family of a deaf child!
Click here to see the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5QX6_4koPY
I hope the film will help you understand why I want to raise money towards this important project - making huge difference for families and deaf children!
The London to Paris Bike Ride bike will be a massive challenge for me and my friends. It will involve 4 days of cycling and covers just under 300 miles (averaging 75 miles a day). Training is now well underway.
Follow my training updates and pictures in the new few weeks.
Thank you very much.
Thank you Message from 28th May 2016 below: