We must all nurture our own skills and selves..
World-renowned solo percussionist, 56, who began to lose her hearing aged eight, and was profoundly deaf by the age of 12
THE crux of disability is there is no one size fits all. It is always unique to the person, and that is what we must all appreciate.
In my case, just because I can’t hear as well, doesn’t mean I can’t listen.
At the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, I led one thousand drummers, taking my cues from a screen as I rely on lip reading.
When you see this massive crowd, all waving, the energy goes beyond one particular sense. I was feeling, smelling, tasting, the whole occasion.
Although there may have been slight differences in how I played, and how I experienced the sheer enormity of that incredible occasion because of my disability, my experience was no less.
The excitement, the physicality of playing to the Industrial Revolution scene, that earthy sound, the importance of teamwork, the responsibility – I felt it all.
EDUCATION
I would love to encourage more education in our schools talking about our senses and what they mean for both able-bodied and disabled people. Technology is moving at such a pace, therefore it is important that we are aware of how that is playing a vital role in our understanding of disability. That education must also teach us never to underestimate disabled people. Accessibility needs to improve everywhere – in the workplace and social settings. Once that happens we will become so used to being around people in wheelchairs, with assistance dogs, or whatever the circumstance is. Our perception of disability makes us forget disabled people can be good at things. It brought me real joy to see the deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis dance on Strictly Come Dancing.
It served as a wonderful reminder that a deaf person can be an amazing musician or dancer, or a blind person can be an amazing visual artist. We must not think disabled people don’t have flair. They might just achieve their dreams in a different way – their own unique way.