Claire Cummings: How the ‘Rose effect’ is making a difference in the real world

Seeing Rose Ayling-Ellis on mainstream television – being joyful, openly using BSL (and lip-reading intently), matter-of-factly discussing every day challenges of living as a deaf person in a mainly hearing society, and her beautiful dancing – has touched me profoundly.

I’ve cried (buckets), laughed (right out loud), screamed (with hands and voice and face) “YES! That’s how it is” and watched her dances over and over.

I recently re-claimed my deafness but, lately, this has risen to another level.

I’ve started signing (whilst speaking) with hearing people in shops, etc and am using my very expressive face to even more use.

More and more people are signing “thank you” and I’ve noticed there’s fewer people showing signs of shock / panic when I start communicating with them (yes, that is very much a thing).

It’s liberating!!! I feel I’m finally truly being myself out in public and no longer trying to “fit in”.

As a Teacher of the Deaf, I still see many young deaf people with low self esteem, trying to hide their deafness and feeling embarrassed about being ‘different’.

Rose’s presence on mainstream television is having a huge impact – one of the children and their parents on my caseload are starting to learn BSL, for example.

It is not healthy to have a false identity or to constantly mask who you are. We are all equal and diverse. It is about acceptance.

Representation in mainstream media is powerful. I can’t quite believe how empowered and liberated I feel at seeing a real deaf person signing and describing aspects of her life like musicals not being accessible as she grew up, talking too loud when her hearing aid broke and describing how she senses music through her dance partner.

And I love the funny pranks she plays on Gio (and puts on Instagram) – typical deaf humour! Everything she says I can relate to.

Growing up, seeing inspirational women on television I always felt “but no-one will want to give me a job like that as I don’t speak well enough / can’t hear on the phone etc or people like that won’t like me as they can’t talk with me like they do a hearing person”, etc etc. Now there is actual positive deaf representation! It’s almost overwhelming.

My big hope is that this is not a one-off flash in the pan thing but that it will open doors for other deaf people in various walks of life. And that young deaf people grow up with positive representation and role models and no longer feel they have to try and hide their deafness in order to fit in.

And I also want to thank Giovanni for approaching working with Rose with an open mind and full acceptance of who she is.

His communication with her has developed and he has worked out, and works with, her strengths.

Together with her determination and upbeat outlook, they have developed an incredible working partnership. This shouts out that deaf people don’t need to ‘conform’ or mask in order to be successful.

Claire says: “I’m a Deaf Teacher of the Deaf, newly freed by the kids leaving the nest and recently discovered a passion for sailing. I read a LOT, watch too many series on Netflix and am currently obsessed with Strictly Come Dancing. I’m happiest hiking in the hills or enjoying a meal and a few drinks with loved ones.”