Works Cited

 

"History." International Committee of Sports for the Deaf - News. International Commitee of Sports  

  for the Deaf, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2012

Kavanough, Peter J. "Deaf Community Hosts Annual Sports Day." Jamaica Gleaner News RSS. The Gleaner, 03 Dec. 2011. Web. 07 Dec. 2012.

"Overview of Hoy's Career." Overview of Hoy's Career. MSM Productions, n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012.

Terrell, Rodney. "Mike Stinger Glenn." Mike Stinger Glenn. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2012.

Deaf Sports in Communities

        Many people and countries strive to maintain established Deaf communities to strengthen social connection. Because of Audism prejudices still exist today, these events should be supported by both deaf and hearing people to help create a safe environment for those who wish to bond over their similarities and strengthen the Deaf community as it thrives from year to year. Sports programs promote deaf awareness and provides a way for these people to mingle and share talent.
      Mike "Stinger" Glenn serves a great example for hearing people by teaching his skill in basketball by volunteering his time to coach a basketball camp for the hearing impaired. The program is completely free for "over 120 athletes" (Terrell, Rodney).

I know that if we all strive to act on this kind of charity and love towards other communities then our society can be strengthened through the love we show for others. Mike Glenn selflessly contributes his time to share his skill with young deaf athletes and we should follow his example.

Other countries make improvements within their communities as well as government leaders understand the need for deaf events. Saddened by the lack of effort from most of the Jamaican population, Danville Walker (a Jamaican Labour Party candidate) says to the deaf gathered at a sports event, ""I think that this gathering of the deaf here today serves as an inspiration to all of us because your action demonstrates that regardless of circumstances, we should put our shoulder to the wheel in the face of adversity and persevere, knowing that success is at the end of the road. So I salute you and promise to work hard to be a voice for your cause" (Kavanough, Peter J.). His words should prove to all that no trial withstands the determination of a human being-- and to me it means that the terms "disability", "impairment", or "impossible" cannot exist in any language or culture if we are willing to battle against stereotypes and false boundaries.

William "Dummy" Hoy

William Hoy exceeded the expectations of the hearing world and astounded fans not because he couldn't hear, but due to his excellence in baseball. Some automatically think that deafness is a drawback, but clearly it is only a distraction (to the hearing world) from pure talent.

A couple of his many accomplishments include:
82 stolen bases by the end of his rookie year
.288 batting average (Overview of Hoy's Career)

I highly recommend watching this short video that provides insight into Hoy's career:

Deaflympics

The Deaflympics, originally held in Paris in 1924, was organized to create a social environment where many countries overcome the prejudices conjured by common society. The "Silent Games" began with merely 33 people who wished to publicly break records and participate in the same events given to those in the World Olympics (History). Since then Deaflympics have thrived and grown into a worldwide event hosting hundreds of athletes and fans.

While watching videos about this event, I found this one the most interesting for several reason. First, the performance is visually exciting and beautiful! As a hearing person, I expected a roaring applause but (of course) noticed the flickering lights in the audience held by waving hands and noticed only a few claps! I found the clip intriguing based solely upon the lack of sound at the end but whether you are deaf or hearing, the opening of the 2009 Deaflympics can be appreciated by all!

Deaf Sports Intro

Every athlete dreams to hold a record, an idea I find interesting. Each generation introduces someone who trains harder, runs faster, and achieves the impossible. Yet, had the preceding champion maxed limits possible to the human race, would athletes continue to strive to break these records? Probably not. At best, with the looming guarantee of failure, a competitor might attempt to match the existing records.
Nevertheless, records of every kind are broken every year and man-kind continues to explore limits and conquer the impossible.
Like all people, the those in the Deaf community choose to successfully battle Audism by overcoming their own "limits" that many in our society attempts to enforce upon these people. My husband inquired about my research topic asking, "why do Deaf Sports exist? How does hearing/deafness effect skill?"

It doesn't. No matter how many of our senses eliminated, talent does not allow society labeling to oppress potential. Like all sports, Deaf Sports build a community for those who wish to connect with people like themselves. As well, many Deaf celebrities use their talents and skill to build a bridge between their community and hearing people or simply find a way to achieve a dream society deemed impossible.