Deaf and Destined to Bridge the World | Isidore Niyongabo | TEDxSDSU

Summary

In a heartfelt speech, Isidor shares his journey from a hearing child to a proud deaf adult after surviving spinal meningitis. He recounts the challenges he faced, the support from his family, and the societal misconceptions about deafness. Through his advocacy work with Ideal International Deaf Education, he highlights the urgent need for educational access for deaf children, particularly in developing countries. Isidor emphasizes that deafness is not a deficiency but a different way of experiencing the world, encouraging others to invest in education and embrace diversity. His message inspires a focus on inner voices and community bridging.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was born hearing and enjoyed various sounds in childhood, emphasizing the beauty of auditory experiences.
• 🎤 At age 10, the speaker lost their hearing due to spinal meningitis, which drastically changed their life.
• 🏥 Despite being diagnosed as 'dead' by a nurse, the speaker's heart continued to beat, illustrating the confusion around their condition.
• 👨‍👦 The speaker’s father played a crucial role in their journey, supporting their education and dreams until his tragic death during the Burundian genocide.
• 🎓 Education is highlighted as vital for deaf individuals, with the speaker advocating for more resources dedicated to deaf education rather than medical fixes.
• 🌍 Globally, over 360 million people have hearing loss, and 80% of those live in developing countries with limited educational opportunities.
• 📚 Only 17% of deaf individuals have access to education, with a mere 3% receiving bilingual education, which is crucial for their development.
• 💪 The speaker believes that deafness should not be viewed as a deficiency, but rather as a different way of experiencing life.
• 🚴‍♂️ The metaphor of riding a bicycle symbolizes the speaker's commitment to advocating for and supporting deaf youth around the world.
• 🤝 The speaker encourages everyone to focus on their inner voice and work together to bridge the gaps in education and resources for deaf individuals.

Q & A

What significant life event did the speaker experience at the age of 10?

The speaker suffered from a severe illness, which led to their loss of hearing.

How did the speaker's family initially respond to their hearing loss?

The family was unsure of how to help, and the speaker's mother did not immediately realize the severity of the situation, believing they would be fine after a doctor's visit.

What was the role of the speaker's father during their transition to a deaf person?

The speaker's father played a crucial role by taking them to a school for the deaf and supporting their education despite the challenges they faced.

What tragic event occurred shortly after the speaker moved to school?

The speaker's father and many other family members were killed during the Burundi genocide in 1993.

What does the speaker believe about the definition of deafness?

The speaker argues that the traditional definition of deafness as an inability to hear does not apply to them, as they view their experience of deafness as a new journey rather than a deficiency.

How did the speaker adapt to their new life after becoming deaf?

The speaker embraced their new identity, set new goals, and created a purpose in life, viewing deafness as an opportunity to gain new experiences.

What initiative did the speaker start at San Diego State University?

The speaker founded the ASL Club to promote American Sign Language and improve access to deaf education in the community.

What statistics did the speaker provide regarding deaf education worldwide?

The speaker highlighted that 83% of deaf people worldwide have no access to education and only 3% of those with access receive bilingual education.

What message does the speaker convey about deafness and disability?

The speaker emphasizes that deafness should not be seen as a deficiency or disability but rather as a different way of being, urging others to focus on inner voices and abilities.

What is the speaker's vision for the future of deaf education?

The speaker envisions investing more in the education of deaf children rather than in medical solutions aimed at making them hearing, advocating for equal access to quality education.