People that know Kate say she has a life experience that showcases the many ways of being deaf and they are all ok. She has experienced being both Hard of Hearing and Deaf, married to Apenisa who is culturally Deaf, and mother of CODA (Child of Deaf Adult), Saki.
People that know Kate say she has a life experience that showcases the many ways of being deaf and they are all ok. She has experienced being both Hard of Hearing and Deaf, married to Apenisa who is culturally Deaf, and mother of CODA (Child of Deaf Adult), Saki.
Kate is currently the Manager of Accredited Courses at Deaf Connect. In her past life, she has worked in Fiji as an Australian Volunteer with the Fijian Deaf Community to set up their first sign language dictionary and first interpreter training course.
One of her favourite jobs was as an actor with the Australian Theatre of the Deaf, a role she held for over four years. As if that hasn’t been a full enough life for Kate, she is also an aspiring author and playwright.
Firstly Kate, if you were to dress up in a HERO costume who would you be and why? Mother Teresa. Her values of service, lifting up those in poverty, and creating more equality are principles I want to live by. I love her simplicity and her uniform reflects that: white with a simple blue line.
What is your current Deaf/ Hearing identity? I have always connected with the word “deaf”. Once I found the Deaf Community I slowly became “Deaf” and developed a culturally deaf identity. I’m proud of my deaf identity and don’t see it as a disadvantage. I see it as a way of being. I am living into my deaf self more and more as I get older.
Please share your childhood story and diagnosis. I was diagnosed at four years old with a moderate to severe bilateral hearing ability. With hearing aids, the residual hearing I once had could be used to speak, listen and lipread. I went to regular public and private schools.
Can you share some experiences of school life? I was a conscientious student. I always sat up at the front of the class and relied on my hearing friends to clarify and keep me on track. I did find socialising in groups a challenge so tended to avoid parties and hanging out in large social groups. I became a bit of a nerd, spending time in the library at lunchtimes. Reading was an escape.
I went through school with my hearing ability not being too much of a focus. The first time I recall my teachers acknowledging it was in preparation for my HSC. I was given a form to complete, extra time for my exams, a separate room, and a dictionary.
This was around the time the film, Children of A Lesser God came out. It was eye-opening for me. Till then, I had only ever met one other deaf child. I was fascinated seeing other Deaf people on the screen.
Did you come across other kids who were Deaf or Hard of Hearing in your early life? When I was about 10, I was introduced to another Deaf girl who functioned very similarly to me. She also lived in country NSW, as I did. I don’t know how my Mum found her. I just remember feeling so happy and pleased to meet another deaf person like me.
You later married. Tell us what that experience was like for you and your family? I married a Deaf man who does not speak. I have always used speech with my family. Our marriage has been an adjustment for all of us. My family has learned to sign to varying degrees and use more visual communication. My husband has learned to mouth words and use SMS and adjust his signing. My son and I help to fill in the gaps. Thanks to the NDIS we now have funding to have Auslan interpreters at various family events. We are still learning, whether it’s me communicating my needs more or others improving their signing.
The HEARO Team often says, “It takes a village” How has this been true for you when you look back on your life? I grew up in a church community so that was my village for most of my life. Church activities, events, and people made up my family’s social life. Being Deaf was a solitary experience though. I coped and was seen to cope so not many adjustments were made for me. I had to make all the adjustments myself. Most of the time those adjustments were made unconsciously as I often did not know what I needed. I was praised for speaking well and being seen to fit into “normal” life. My Deaf village came much later when I met other Deaf people and became part of the Deaf community in my early 20’s. It was through other Deaf people that I learned how to be deaf.
There are many ways to be deaf and all are ok. What does this statement mean for you? You don’t have to measure up or fit in. You just have to be ok with your deaf self. You don’t have to be un-deaf or less deaf. It’s ok not to enjoy music or hear the wind or the sound of birds. Beauty can be perceived in other ways. It’s ok if dancing does not hold much joy. It’s ok to be reserved or introverted. It’s ok to not keep up with certain people because it’s too tiring to lipread and connect. It’s ok to speak and to choose not to speak at different times. You have a right to manage communication in a way that gives you control and dignity. Yes, you will make lipreading mistakes, even silly or embarrassing ones – learn to laugh about them. They make good stories!
What has been the highlight of your life so far? Giving birth to my son. Best moment ever. So proud to have him in my life.
Looking ahead, what are your dreams for the future? I dream of finishing the story and play that I have started writing and getting it published and performed. I dream of spending more time in Fiji where my family and husband’s family are from. Our experiences in Fiji are so rich.
Is there one more thing you’d like to share with a young person who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing? Don’t be afraid to suggest to someone who has a Deaf person in their life to learn sign language. A Deaf person can’t hear or learn to speak as an adult but a hearing person can learn to sign. Learning to sign removes so many barriers. Connection without an interpreter – direct connection is deeper. A person who can hear has the power to make that connection happen by learning to sign.