You might remember a few weeks back, Deaf filmmaker Ted Evans was featured on this site looking for inspirational Deafies to be featured in a short film inspired by Life in a Day.
Well, we’re very happy to report that Ted has now made the film, and as of today, it’s available for all to see online! We’re even happier to tell you that one of Ted’s contributors came to him via this very site. Can a chicken pat itself on the back? If it could, it would.
Anyway the film’s great, featuring not only Ted himself, but other inspirational Deafies including director Bim Ajadi, Remark’s Mark Nelson, actor Stephen Collins, and more. I should also tell you that this morning, it moved my wife to tears. Check it out below.
By Charlie Swinbourne, Editor
The Limping Chicken is supported by Deaf media company Remark!, training and consultancy Deafworks, and provider of sign language services Deaf Umbrella.
Enjoying our eggs? Support The Limping Chicken:
The Limping Chicken is the world's most popular Deaf blog, and is edited by Deaf journalist, screenwriter and director Charlie Swinbourne.
Our posts represent the opinions of blog authors, they do not represent the site's views or those of the site's editor. Posting a blog does not imply agreement with a blog's content. Read our disclaimer here and read our privacy policy here.
Find out how to write for us by clicking here, and how to follow us by clicking here.
The site exists thanks to our supporters. Check them out below:
- BSL Zone: TV programmes in BSL for the Deaf community
- Deaf Umbrella: what support is available for deaf students?
- Bellman & Symfon: home alerting solutions, including the mobile phone transceiver!
- SignVideo: Instant BSL video interpreting online
- SignHealth: check out the BSL health library
- 999 BSL: call 999 in an emergency, in BSL
- Appa: Looking for RSLIs, TSLIs and CSWs, apply here!
- Signly: Adding BSL to websites
- Signworld: Learn BSL online!
- DCAL: world-class research into deafness, cognition and language
- Action Deafness: “A Deaf-Led Charity” – interpreting & community support services
- Sign Solutions: Instant access to Interpreters, training and BSL translation nationwide
- InterpretersLive: On demand BSL video interpretation
- Lipspeaker UK: specialist lipspeaking support
- BID: Deaf services, including advice and support, interpreting, employment and letters
- Performance Interpreting: BSL interpreting at concerts
- National Deaf Children's Society: The leading charity for deaf children
whosaidthat1
May 1, 2012
Glad you get some sort of sound Ted, there are some like myself who Have NO sound what so ever….Deafness is a barrier for those who are Totally Deaf. I notice that nearly All were wearing Hearing Aids, I wonder how they would get on without any hearing at all, you might have answer to what I put, but why were you given Hearing Aids.Glad they point and say deaf and not Totally Deaf, as its a completely different world 100% positive on that, been there so to speak. Lets be honest you wouldnt wear Hearing Aids if they didnt help?
When I had Hearing Aid I was working, I had dreams, I was positive, but when you lose EVERYTHING it entirely different matter.
Acquired Totally Deaf Is not nice, oh wish I could have hearing aids to help me along, yes I can still dream at age 61 but thats as far as it can go, I wish I could inspire people but Totally Deaf dont seem to be able to shout it out as much as Hearing Aid users..
I mean if you were in deep trouble with hearing aids you would be offered Cochlear Implants..So they must benefit you.
Once I went to College to learn B.S.L there were Hearign Aid users, and tutor did their best, but I couldnt keep up, why? because they could obviously hear something that helped them along. Me HEAR NOTHING..
Come to my world see how you get on, if you cant hear without Hearing Aids, take them off be honest take them of for say 2 months? then come back and say how you got on.
Regards and I DO wish you ALL the best..
whosaidthat1
May 1, 2012
Yes its good to Inspire Youth, but with medicine as it is, they will be helped immensely more than i or we ever did, And I wish them well…Just hope none are Totally Deaf as it becomes hard hard work,,,,
bozothewondernerd
May 1, 2012
This should go viral – it’s superb. Congratulations Ted!
deafgirlz
May 1, 2012
In response to whosaidthat1 .. I have a friend who is profoundly deaf.. he has dreams and is acheiving them. Is doesn’t matter how deaf you are. My friend is my role model… he was the only deaf person in my university. He come across barriers and knocked them down and he’s respected for it. with or without hearing aids we can still achieve our dream, it just means that we have to work harder to show that we are capable!
Rita Layden
May 1, 2012
I think this is truely inspirational, be proud and live your dreams.
Linda Richards
May 1, 2012
Inspiring film Ted. Congratulations to you and all involved – including that little bit of help from Bim!
I’d love a 365 day [or 366 in leap years!] version of “From me to you….” then I could look at someone’s comment that day and have them inspire me for the rest of the day. From deaf people of all walks of life and in all sorts of jobs. Probably too big for an app but hey, the limping chicken lays an egg everyday so why not a post of “From me to you…” everyday to set us on our way?
Would that be called the ‘flying chicken’….?
ls
May 1, 2012
Bravo to all involved! As the CCAC and colleagues put our first ever film together now, we applaud all related efforts! Let’s collaborate.
Ccacaptioning.org is the place to be for captioning advocacy (deaf, deafened, hoh welcome, of course!) and so many others who need and use captioning. Cheers, Lauren/CCAC
Tamsin Coates
May 1, 2012
This film is beautiful! A strong message. About the value in having older.deaf. role models for our children to inspire them and such an affirmation in belief. They can achieve anything they put their minds to. Thank you, can’t wait to share this with my children, who at 11 and 10 and deaf are just starting to grow into their identities! X
whosaidthat1
May 1, 2012
In response to deafgirlz I was once Classed as profoundly Deaf then Lost all and re classed as Totally Deaf..And Yes i agree with what you said, But I do beg to differ I have been from Total Deaf in L ear and H.O.H in R then Severe Hearing in R to Totally Deaf in R, And there is a Massive difference, yes we all might have same outlook and targets to go for. Im now 61 Carpenter & Upholsterer But I do neither now, unable for other reasons, But My world has been Crumbling since Total Deafness. It is very Different.
But I still wish the youth of today all the best and get to your targets and reach higher, good on you 🙂
If you saw the barriers ive knocked down on my way, you would be surprised, But we are not here for an old man lol, we are here for the future and a future that is getting rosier as regards medical science miracles. The youth of today will I hope be OK 🙂
whosaidthat1
May 1, 2012
My Advice is go for what you believe in, and speak out loud for yourselves as what Im doing, It might seem as If im old moaner, but Im shouting out for Acquired Totally Deaf people.
You have long life ahead of you, if you read half my story on wordpress you might think differently of me, its only half my story I have long long way to go and many Ops and life savers to go..
🙂 Stride on look forward dont look back go for what you want out of life 🙂
Ni Gallant
May 1, 2012
i think im the first deaf young person to comment on this. this video did make me cry – i guess as im just about to do my a levels and go to uni i find it hard sometimes to imagine growing up anymore than i have and going out and working as a social worker. deaf role models are hard to come by in rural worcestershire but the people that ive met over the years have inspired me, 2 of them are in this video <3 every deaf young person should watch this, it shows you youre not alone. and next time i feel like im going to totally lose it over exams, lack of deaf awareness, feeling alone ill come back to this and watch it. thanks you Ted – you are inspirational 🙂
Clare Kennedy
May 1, 2012
A truly inspiring film. At deafPLUS we are working hard to help people achieve their dreams of working and participating fully in society. Showing them this film will give them so much more confidence. Thank you.
Tina
May 1, 2012
Oh yeah. Go for it and catch your dreams. Love this film! 😀
Liz
May 1, 2012
This film moved me so much that I started welling up! It’s so interesting to see other people’s experiences of role models. My parents are hearing, and I’m profoundly deaf, grew up via mainstreaming (secondary school had an HIU). I completely related to Mark Nelson’s experiences at University, at least for my BA, but doing my MA was much better (older and wiser? it was a small department – Women’s Studies!). I was the only deaf person on my course, and had to be strong and independent, despite feeling isolated and sometimes a bit lonely. My sister is deaf too and my parents were and still are amazing, so deaf aware. Its only now that I’m becoming much more involved in the deaf community, as a writer, and my confidence is starting to grow. I still have a long way to go when it comes to confidence, but I think it really helps to know that there are other deaf people out there who feel as positive as I do, and are fighting to achieve their dreams.
Plymouth girl
May 2, 2012
Ted, you are so spot on with this film! I will pass it around to let the people know about this film. I am the same as those people in the film – never give up, ignore people who say that I can’t do it and I have achieved a lot and still continue work hard to achieve ever more. Thank you so much for this film.
Alison
May 2, 2012
Kudos to you X
jimcromwell
May 2, 2012
Fantastic. Thank you for this. Ted for making it and Charlie for sharing it!
Panda
May 2, 2012
It was an amazing messages, A great video! I’m deaf, my family are all hearing. was lovely to see you all on video with signing lanuages. I work in a farm and care worker, Joined Young Farmer with more than hundred people hearing, really enjoyed. social event, lots wear fancy dress etc. snow white, uvlights, mexican costume in party, DJ, bubbles, discos lighting.
Joanna
May 3, 2012
Thanks to everyone involved with this video. It was fabulous – very inspiring.
MrsD
May 3, 2012
I am a hearing mum of 2 deaf girls. They are only 11 and I believe they will do wonderful things with their lives. They are lucky because they do have some wonderful deaf role models around them but your film really shows what can be achieved. The film had me in tears but not of sadness, more of hope and happiness. Thank you for your wonderful film Ted.
Maria Grazia Zedda (@wideaware)
May 3, 2012
I was so inspired by the film that I translated the film in Italian so it can be shown in Italy (my home country) were deaf awareness is abismal. I have also sent it to Tim Cooper CEO of Advance who is deaf and I’m going to keep spreading the word because so many deaf people (totally or partially deaf) need to get this message: You Can! You can achieve your dreams, you might do it differently, but you can do it! I wish I had heard this when I was 19 when I had so little confidence and felt simply very deaf and very inadequate. I now run my own company and I have work that I adore, I go out training people in disability and deaf awareness and my deafness gives me credibility and an advantage. And I have much more to achieve but I know I’ll do it. Understanding that my deafness is not a barrier, but the barriers are out there in the people who put limits on you has transformed me and has given me confidence that I never dreamed I’d have. To all of you, young deaf people everywhere: you can achieve your dreams!
whosaidthat1
May 3, 2012
Since Losing ALL my hearing from being profound, Ive really seen the Barriers and dont like what I see, But once again Acquired Totally Deaf overlooked, why do you do it..really has me confused..
Loco coco
May 7, 2012
Great film. Fab inspiration and another good thing out of this is that I know one of those great people and she is a real inspiration to deaf people.
LynnW
May 7, 2012
I think this film is amazing – cant wait to show the young deaf youth at the secondary school I work at. They will be truly inspired by this film. Well done Ted!
Jane Griffith
May 8, 2012
I am an ASL interpreter…..can’t wait to show
this to my “totally Deaf” daughter!
CJ
May 9, 2012
Good on you Jane, Im pleased that some can speak up, but most of people were wearing hearing aids etc..I still say Totally Deaf are overlooked!