James Curtis Expand My name is James Curtis. I was born profoundly deaf, but it was not until I was 8 months old that my parents discovered my hearing impairment. Luckily, thanks to the amazing work of the team at Auditory Verbal UK and my mum’s tenacity and determination for me to speak, I speak as well as any of my friends. If anything, I speak too much! Thanks to my hearing technology, focused Auditory Verbal Therapy (which, might I add, was a lot of fun!), and the superb efforts of my parents who never stopped believing that I could achieve as much as any other child, I am incredibly happy, fulfilled and can communicate with whomever I choose, even (very basically) in two other languages and on the phone. I am now studying History at Durham University. James is from north London. If you would like to speak to James, please email [email protected] Read more about James here.
Jess Curtis Expand My name is Jess Curtis and my brother James was born with profound bilateral hearing loss. James started therapy with the founder of AVUK Jacqueline Stokes in her kitchen in Oxford before the charity even existed. Since the evolution of AVUK, I helped with the set up of the London office by donating my toys and books and helping to clean the new offices and start it up when I was very young. I have advocated for AVUK on many occasions by giving school assemblies and nominating the charity to be the recipients of funding. My most recent contribution was when I raised money by challenging myself to trek to the Base-camp of Mount Everest. Through this I also had the opportunity to raise the profile of the charity.
Max Stroemer Expand My name is Maxwell Stroemer and in July of 2000, I was diagnosed with bilateral profound hearing loss. I am a high school student at the Zurich International School, serving as President of the Student Council and acting as the Co-Captain for the Debate Team. Being deaf, I value the power of public speaking as a means to inspire. Moreover, I am fascinated by History and Politics and will welcome any conversation on current events. I also enjoy alpine skiing and playing rugby. My time with AVUK started at age two and I am grateful for the developmental support that this organisation provided me with; particularly from the late Jaqueline Stokes. When I ask myself what life would be like had I been born without my disability, I have never once resented the fact that I am deaf. I believe that those who embrace their challenges and disabilities have an edge on life because they are able to see, feel and sense things that others simply aren’t. This understanding has empowered me and given me the very courage to write and share my story with audiences and interested readers. As I said in a TED Talk that I delivered at a symposium in Zurich during March of 2017, “everyone has their own type of hearing impairment and if they’re lucky, they’ll have their own type of hearing aid too.” Please find the link to the TEDx Talk here (https://vimeo.com/221600931) Please find the link to the Opinion Article here (http://ablemagazine.co.uk/normal/)
Beatrice Cadman Expand My name is Beatrice and I was born profoundly deaf. My hearing loss was identified by the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. When I 16 months old, my parents too me to Auditory Verbal UK. I soon began to speak and graduated from Auditory Verbal UK when I was five years old. I now share my experience with others in the hope of raising expectations for deaf children. I have won awards for my communication skills and am currently studying for my GCSEs and volunteering at a local charity shop. Many people still don’t realise that with the benefits of new technology and the right support, deaf children can achieve anything they want to in life. Beatrice is from Lincolnshire. To find out more about her story or arrange an interview visit [email protected] Beatrice gave a speech at our Power of Speech event at the House of Commons in June 2016. You can watch her speech by clicking here.
Nideeshwaran Chandrasekar Expand My name is Nideesh. I was diagnosed with a hearing loss at 12 months old, in India. I received my first cochlear implant aged three and my second aged six after moving to the UK. My parents contacted Auditory Verbal UK for support when I was four years old and I graduated before sixth birthday. I am currently at a mainstream grammar school and my favourite hobby is swimming. Nideesh spoke at our Power of Speech event at the House of Commons in June 2016. You can watch his speech by clicking here.
Dhyana Expand My name is Dhyana and I was born profoundly deaf. However, I was only diagnosed when I was 5 months old. My parents were scared for my future, and with no prior experience of deafness, they faced many options and difficult decisions. At this challenging time, they met the inspirational late Jacqueline Stokes, founder of AVUK, who gave them hope that using Auditory Verbal therapy, there was an expectation that young deaf children could learn to listen and speak using optimally working hearing technology, and that they could attend mainstream education and become independent participating citizens in mainstream society. On the strength of this vision, our journey with AVUK began, and I graduated when I was 5 years old - with listening and language skills equivalent to a 7-year-old. A few years later when my brother was born profoundly deaf, my parents did not hesitate in contacting AVUK immediately and starting a new journey with him. AVUK has become an integral part of our lives and has impacted me in the most positive way. Because of AVUK I am more confident and independent today. I am able to attend a mainstream grammar school where I am currently studying for my GCSE’s. I am able to appreciate and enjoy music and dance - I play the violin and do classical dancing. I have also completed the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver awards and I have travelled internationally on my own. Most importantly I believe AVUK has given me the chance to be a normal teenage girl who can embrace the same opportunities as my hearing peers, and who can believe in my dreams. I will always be grateful to AVUK. I have raised money for AVUK by having Loud Shirt Days at school, as well as successfully nominating AVUK as the main school charity for the whole year. I have spoken about deafness and AVUK at general school assemblies and at the Founders Day Service to an audience of over 1000 people. I have been invited to introduce important speakers at AVUK conventions. In 2017, I took part in a film for the Centre of Social Justice who awarded Auditory Verbal UK the Model of Excellence Award. I have also taken part in general promotional videos to create awareness of AVUK. I am proud to be a Young Ambassador and would like more deaf children to benefit from the amazing and truly life changing work that AVUK does.
Khush Expand My name is Khush and like my sister Dhyana, I was born profoundly deaf. I graduated from Auditory Verbal UK when I was 3 years old. I think AVUK is awesome because I can do all the things my friends can do. I attend a mainstream school where I take part in all activities including nativity plays and residential trips, as well as leadership roles such as class vice-captain, class buddy, and being a member of the school council. I enjoy playing sports, especially cricket, tennis, swimming and football. I also play the piano and I am a big fan of Pokémon and Ninjago. At my school I have spoken in assembly about deafness and raised money for AVUK by having a Loud Shirt Day. I have introduced important speakers at AVUK conventions. In 2017, I took part in a film for the Centre of Social Justice who awarded Auditory Verbal UK the Model of Excellence Award. I have also taken part in general promotional videos to create awareness of AVUK, as well as specific videos for Loud Shirt Day and Christmas. I am proud to be a Young Ambassador. AVUK has helped me to do good listening and speaking and I would like other deaf children to be able to do the same.