Last night was a special night for a number of Deaf performers, artists and filmakers who graced the world stage as part of the dazzling opening ceremony for the Paralympics in London.
Their contribution to the event involved months of preparation, hard work and planning, and Limping Chicken would like to congratulate every single one of them. This was a night they, and we, will never forget.
For starters, the opening ceremony was co-directed by Jenny Sealey MBE, who is Deaf and has worked for years with Deaf and disabled artists in her role as Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company. Her joint vision (with Bradley Hemmings) was seen by billions of people last night: including aerial ballets, mass apple-eating, and much much more – spectacular moments that took the breath away.
Our first glimpse of Deaf performers at the event was the signing choir who signed ‘God Save the Queen,’ and if you’re from the UK, you might recognise one or two of the faces in the screengrab below!
After the procession of athletes into the stadium, Deaf actress Deepa Shastri took to the stage to sign ‘Spirit in Motion’ along with Soprano Denise Leigh, who sang the song, just before the speeches that finally marked the beginning of the games.
I’m almost certain that this is Deaf actor Stephen Collins, dancing here on the left of the stage during the song ‘Spasticus Autisticus,’ displaying enthusiasm in its purest form with fellow members of the cast from Graeae’s ‘Reasons to be Cheerful.’
At the close of the ceremony there was one final treat for Deaf viewers when Caroline Parker signed ‘I am what I am’ with Beverley Knight, which rounded off the night with an uplifting, rousing finale as a massive firework display lit up the London sky.
One of the proudest people in the stadium must have been Deaf filmmaker Ted Evans, who made the film that was shown just before the ceremony began (hopefully this will be available online and we’ll alert you to it as soon as we can). Ted has spent several months making a series of short films for Channel Four, highlighting some of the athletes involved in the games.
As well as those we managed to spot, there were numerous Deaf performers dancing, swirling umbrellas, and swinging high up on the poles who could often be seen in the background performing with other disabled and non-disabled artists. We didn’t see them all on screen but thanks to Facebook and Twitter, we know how many of them were there, playing their part.
Well done to all of you. You did us proud.
The Limping Chicken is supported by Deaf media company Remark!, provider of sign language services Deaf Umbrella, training and consultancy Deafworks, the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Look, Smile Chat campaign, and the National Theatre’s captioned plays.
Linda Richards
August 30, 2012
Couldn’t agree more with the sentiments expressed and Caro Parker’s signed rendition at the end was stunning [as was her dress!].
Congrtaulations to all involved. Take a bow, Jenny Sealey!
And good luck to all those involved in the Games who are also Deaf such as Laurentia Tan in the equestrian event. Representing Singapore, Laurentia has CP and is a Deaf BSL user too.
Lana Senchal
August 30, 2012
Nice to have some Deaf involved with the Opening Ceremony – It would be fantastic to have some Deaf involved with Games competitions. Is Laurentia only one Deaf at the Games??
karen
August 30, 2012
yes wouldnt it be great if the deaf were able to compete as well instead of having to have seperate deaflympics
Linda Richards
August 31, 2012
Ben Rushgrove who has CP and is a hearing aid user, is representing GB in the 100m.
Ben won a silver medal in Bejing and is a gold medal contender in these Games.
Linda Richards
August 30, 2012
If Laurentia was part of Deaflympics – there would be some challenges for her.
For a start, there are no equestrian events in Deaflympics and secondly, Laurentia would be at a disadvantage compared with able-bodied Deaf people.
There are other D/deaf people taking part in the Paralympic Games BUT they are taking part because of their other disability [eg CP – Cerebral Palsy].
Some of these Deaf people have been featured on The Hub by Remark! and on See Hear. Check the archives for these programmes.
I’m rooting for Laurentia – she is from the country of my birth! And she’s a great lass too!
Melinda
August 30, 2012
I was present at the Opening Ceremony. It was very good but it was only today that I found out what it was all about. Theme was “Evolution”. Friends watching on TV had access to more information than us who were actually there. By the way, I didn’t understand the Deaf signers, signing beside the singers!! Beautiful to watch but I have no clue what they were saying!!
patreena
August 31, 2012
I am proud of you all the Deaf people involved in this para-olympics 2012! In both sports and the creative performances. I know you all can do it very well indeed even tho i missed the whole thing.
I am sad New Zealand is soo far behind in this respect . . . we had to fight for everything we have here (whatever for? we have rights!) but the stigma is so strong…. that tvnz didnt show the whole signed song of “God Defend New Zealand” at World Rugby last year.. . . the signers practised with well thought out meaningful sign language – i think they were pretty professional singers in that respect…. sadly i didnt get to see them sung to the public via the Television New Zealand.
Still your skills will prove to the rest of the world what our Deaf people are capable of doing very well and professionally too! Congratulations!!!
Ian Stewart
September 2, 2012
Yes, I thought it was wonderful and great to see the signers beside the singers at the Opening Ceremony on TV; Caroline Parker was really good, clear, oral and expressive.
I thought how sad it was not to see any deaf athletes, swimmers, and others competing with hearing paralympians, apart from Luarentia. ,
Why do we the deaf have to have separate Deaflympics in Athens next year? I investigated this and found from the website that the IOC lay down rules that “as the Deaf athletes possess no physical or mental disabilities, they are not eligible for the Paralympic Games.” What utter nonsense as we can now see healthy blade runners, blind participants, wheelchair users, other fit competitors with various disabilities taking part in many events without any problems, yet no deaf competitors are allowed. Why??
One important issue is that the funding, grants and sponsorships are available for hearing ‘healthy’ paralympians, but the deaf have to find the money themselves. Discrimination and human rights should be addresses here by Lord Coe and his IOC.