Hello everybody,
I am from UK, born in Skipton, Yorkshire. I was born profoundly deaf, but because my parents decided to send me to hearing schools, I never learnt BSL. Parents had to take me from one school to another. I was so unhappy in the schools because none of the chldren understood me and I struggled to learn anything from teachers who made no effort to help me understand. It was a lonely experience being in hearing schools in those days. Now, as an elder, the little hearing I have is worsening, because I have tinnitus. So, I am studying the online British-Sign course to learn BSL. In the past I never saw my deafness as a handicap, but more as a gift. Being Deaf enabled me to find out who I truly was. I became a professional ballerina despite being profoundly deaf, and later in life I taught many deaf and hearing people to dance and to gain confidence; to believe in themselves. I was recently on an episode of 'See Hear.' Series 45, Episode 1, called Love and Dating. My professional name was Nina Falaise. My married name is Nina Cooper. These days, I use my visual skills in art and in my observation and love of nature.
Best wishes to you all,
Nina
