It is said, there are many ways to be deaf and all are okay. Jodee Mundy OAM is a hearing, native signer born to Deaf parents. She identifies as CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) with Auslan as her first language and English as her second.
It is said, there are many ways to be deaf and all are okay. Jodee Mundy OAM is a hearing, native signer born to Deaf parents. She identifies as CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) with Auslan as her first language and English as her second.
Jodee’s multicultural story has inspired her to be an interdisciplinary artist. She has toured the world for theatre and performed and toured in her own shows in places like the Sydney Opera House and the Barbican in London. She’s even worked as a British Sign Language Interpreter for the BBC in a Deaf TV show called See Hear. She is a true hero for diversity, creativity, and culture in the Deaf Community.
Firstly Jodee, if you were to dress up in a HERO costume who would you be and why? I would dress up like a disco ball and fly around mirroring the earth’s light back to the world.
Can you tell us about your Deaf/ Hearing identity? I am a hearing-native signer. Everyone in my family is Deaf except for me. Known as a CODA, Auslan is my first language and English is my second.
Please share your childhood experiences of being a CODA. My mum, dad, and two brothers are Deaf. After I was born, they knew pretty quickly I was hearing because I would cry at any noise! My mum enrolled me in a hearing daycare and also took me to a Deaf mothers group.
At the age of five, mum took me to a speech therapist to assist me with refining my English grammar. Auslan and English have different grammatical structures so I needed some support in getting English right. I attended hearing schools though I did spend a fair bit of time at my brothers’ Deaf school at North Rocks in the afternoons.
At the time I was at school, there was little awareness, so my schools did not provide access for my parents to my school concerts, assemblies or even, parent-teacher interviews. I was lucky I got to interpret my own parent-teacher interviews! Can you imagine what kind of mischief I was able to get up to?!
What was it like growing up in such diverse worlds? It felt natural for me to grow up in two worlds. My family was very accepting of me being hearing and made adjustments when needed.
I guess the challenge was dealing with the ignorance and stigma of the mainstream. Navigating that as a kid was more difficult. By the time I was a teenager I was pretty angry at the little access my family had and I was acutely aware of the many privileges I had in comparison.
The HEARO team often says, “It takes a village…” How has that been true for you when you look back on your childhood? For my parents, ensuring I had access to both languages and cultures was a priority. So pretty often I got a double dose of everything!
I have memories of going to Deaf club every Friday, Deaf church on Sunday mornings, and hearing church every Sunday evening. I went to Deaf camps, hearing camps and when the organisation CODA was formed, my parents would take me to their events and workshops. All these places were a village to me.
What is the one thing you would tell your younger self? Be proud of your multiplicity. You don’t have to be just one thing!
We all have this “Yes, I can!” moment when we overcome an obstacle or achieve something that might have seemed impossible before. Do you have a moment like that to share with us? I created a show called “Personal” which took years to develop. The show started as a series of comic strips based on my memories and experiences growing up as a CODA. The comic strips evolved into written form, and eventually into films and live performances.
This was a journey as a part of me didn’t want to expose my life to a public audience. Before the show opened, there was already a national tour booked in thirteen venues, including the Sydney Opera House! It was a scary time. On opening night, I felt terrified… but I had to tell myself, this story is important because it’s not just about me, it’s for the community. It was a definite “Yes, I can!” moment.
During the opening performance, there were about six CODAs sitting in the audience. I could see how much they were enjoying the show. It was then that I knew I had done the right thing by being brave! If you feel scared, feel it and do it anyway!
How has being part of the Deaf Community enhanced your life? My parents, my brothers, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, many of my friends, colleagues, peers are Deaf. I also have many friends and colleagues who are CODAs. Each person I know has transmitted culture, language, and a sense of belonging. My sense of pride and identity has been instilled by my family and community.
There are many ways to be deaf…and all are ok. What does this statement mean for you? For me, this statement personally means that being CODA is someone who intersects the Deaf and hearing worlds. I feel my position as a hearing native signing member of the Deaf community is to be a custodian of Deaf culture and of Australian Sign Language promoting respect for both cultures and sharing their beauty and complexity through art.
What has been the highlight of your life so far? Becoming a mother to my daughter Evie and teaching her Auslan.
Is there one more thing you’d like to share with a young person who is deaf or hard of hearing? Dreams do come true. Reach out to the people who can support you to make them happen. If you don’t know who to ask, look for them. Don’t give up. There’s always a way!
To find out more about Jodee Mundy Collaborations – connect with her here.