Dorset Deaf Children's Society

 

In addition to our Senior winner Tyler, also nominated in the Senior category were:

 

Emily Green was nominated by Michelle Christopher, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service, for triumphing despite a challenging and stressful year. She has taken numerous GCSE’s and passed them all to a good standard but also gained a level 9 for dance (this is equivalent to A**) She has now transitioned to College. Emily is following her dream to become a professional dancer and despite not wanting to draw attention to herself (unless she is dancing or acting) she has found the courage to speak up in group work. She had performed successfully in three staged dance performances this year not only dancing but acting. She recently auditioned to be one of the dancers for a Christmas Pantomime at a local pavilion and has been offered a part. She choreographed and performed a dance to say thank you to her teachers at the end of the summer term. The dance carried a lot of emotion and speaks from her heart and experiences. She is an inspirational young lady. Despite living with her hearing loss and coping with many emotional challenges she perseveres not only for herself but also to support others.

 

Edward Hombersley was nominated by Ken Tucker, Education Audiologist Hearing Support Service, for supporting and helping another child with the decision of having cochlear implants. The child’s hearing loss has become severe enough to be eligible for cochlear implants and because of his age he carried some responsibility of making the decision himself. He was undecided and had a lot of questions. Edward had needed to make a similar decision when he was the same age. Edward agreed to meet him to answer his questions and provide any support he could. Edward talked about different aspects of having a cochlear implant and answered all of his questions to the best of his ability. He was absolutely fantastic and made such a difference in helping the child to make a difficult decision.

 

Ben Law was nominated by Sarah Joiner, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service. In September 2022 Ben started Winton Academy. Unfortunately due to the school being oversubscribed Ben’s first choice of school, Winton Academy was not given. Therefore Ben’s parents lodged an appeal. This time was very unsettling for Ben, however Ben took each day in his stride and was very resilient throughout the appeal process. It is a credit to Ben how much maturity and quiet confidence he held in himself as he awaited the final outcome. He is now delighted to now be attending Winton Academy.

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Saul Pearce was nominated by his mum and dad, Sandra Mackrow and Paul Pearce. Saul has finally got his ASD diagnosis. He started at college last year but due to previous school based anxieties he struggled to feel comfortable in an educational environment. He coped better attending one day a week. He would go to St Peters Church and keep the grounds in order. He thrived outdoors and became a valued member of the team using his strength to lug around pallets. Credit was given to him for designing and making a compost heap. This September Saul started back at college but has found the environment still challenging. He is now deciding what he wants for his future.

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In addition to our Junior winner Olivia also nominated in the Junior category were: 

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Lucia Blackmore was nominated by Dawn Wrench, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service, for her superb adjustment and embracing of her new wireless CROS aid. She has been mature and outstanding in her ability to update teachers, family, advisory teacher and audiology on how the CROS has helped her access sounds and conversations more effectively. She is commended for her resilience and enthusiastically embracing all her new equipment and explaining to the teachers how it can support her in school. She has inspired her friends at school to learn and share BSL signs and also initiated and designed a deaf awareness poster that was displayed at school. Her increasing independence and positive attitude to her learning has enabled great achievement in Year 4 and now an excellent start in Year 5.

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Alex Grey was nominated by by his mum, Maria Gray. Alex hasn’t been able to get his ears wet since surgery on his ears in 2017. This year he was finally given the all clear to start swimming with small ear plugs in his ears. He was excited and scared when he started his 1:1 swimming lessons and the first lesson was sensory overload for him and he was aware he shouldn’t get his ears wet. Slowly lesson by lesson he gained more confidence in the water but remained apprehensive about putting his head and ears in water but he has persevered with a lot of encouragement, He has had to go against what he has been told his whole life and even though he was still scared he did it. He is continuing with his lessons and progressing well and he hopes to swim independently before his next operation as then he will be out of the pool for at least 6 months.

 

Felix May was nominated by Sarah Joiner, Advisory Teacher Hearing Support Service and his mum Charis May. Felix was diagnosed when he was 8 years old in October 2020 during the COVID 19 Pandemic. Before diagnosis he was often described by teachers as ‘not paying attention’ and he struggled with team sports not fully engaging. He lost confidence in swimming lessons often performing the wrong task requested by the teacher. Since diagnosis Felix has adjusted to his diagnosis and interventions with incredibly good grace and maturity. He has been inspirational and displayed positivity towards his hearing impairment despite the challenges he faced. He is a fantastic role model. He set himself the goal of taking the local 11+ test for entry to Grammar school and showed great determination. He has worked extremely hard outside of school committing to extra study whilst at the same time adjusting to his hearing loss. It is a credit to Felix’s determination to do well and aim high and strive to accomplish his goals.

Felix also loves music and is learning the piano and hopes to learn saxophone next year. He is kind and understanding of why people might view his hearing loss in a negative way and says that he is lucky as his brain thinks in a different way; therefore he sees his hearing impairment as a gift. He understands people are different, is tolerant of others needs, is thoughtful and perceptive,

 

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Well done to all everyone who was nominated!

All nominees received a certificate and a £20 voucher.