Deaf-Blind Diver Defies The Toughest Odds

Deaf-Blind Heather diver defies the toughest odds.



Baysidereviewlocal.com.au - Heather Lawson is possibly the first Deaf-Blind person in Australia to go scuba diving, and one of only a few in the world to have done so.



The 54-year-old Frankston adventurer, who was born Deaf and gradually lost her sight (as have two of her siblings), has skydived and bungee-jumped, climbed rocks and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, flown in a hot air balloon and skied over snow and water.



Scuba diving has long been on her bucket list. Last week she spent an hour in the shallow waters of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, thanks to a support team of seven including her Auslan tactile interpreters and local dive instructor Mike Letch, founder of the Disabled Divers Association.



Ms Lawson was tethered to a scuba hose, her tank floating separately so she could explore and sign freely. She held starfish, kelp and sea urchins as interpreter Bill Hynes also Deaf, and a qualified diver described everything to her in water up to three metres deep and 200 metres offshore.



Mr Letch said later that Ms Lawson's perception of her surroundings was incredible to witness.



"She was so much more in tune with a whole lot of stuff going on than the rest of us," he said. "She's super switched on, super intelligent. We want her to become a regular next year, now that we know how it can be done."



Back on shore, Ms Lawson - her grin as wide as the harbour bridge she climbed - declared the experience "amazing". "I wish I was a seal, then I could stay in the water all day," she said. "I was pretty nervous before going in, but it was incredible. I was so determined to breathe properly and ignore the waves. ...READ MORE: http://www.baysidereviewlocal.com.au/story/1351254/blind-deaf-diver-defies-the-toughest-odds/?cs=1473



Gallery: Deaf-blind Heather scuba-diving:

- Click here for our picture gallery of Heather's big dive

Aussie Teen Dodges Jail For Bashing Deaf Man

VIDEO: Watoday.com.au - Western Australia teen dodges jail for bashing Deaf man.



A teenager has dodged a jail term after pleading guilty to bashing a Deaf man at a Perth train station, but he will face imprisonment if he offends again in the next year, a judge has warned.



Joshua William Bignell, 18, bashed Seow Oh, 28, fracturing his eye socket, in the eastern Perth suburb of Carlisle in June last year.



Bignell bashed and kicked Mr Oh from behind as he was walking to his car parked at the station. Bignell was originally charged with assault occasioning bodily harm but the charge was later upgraded to grievous bodily harm.



On Monday, in the District Court of Western Australia Judge Phillip Eaton handed Bignell a pre-sentence order, subject to three reviews over the next 12 months. Judge Eaton decided not to imprison Bignell immediately because he was young, had a troubled childhood and mental health problems and was "now in a stable situation".



If Bignell committed an offence in the next 12 months, it was likely he'd be sentenced to an immediate term of imprisonment, Judge Eaton warned. "You can just about bank on that," he said.

Video by 7NEWS



"If you're going well, I'll allow the order to continue. "If things are falling apart, then I won't hesitate to bring it to an end. "If you fail, Mr Bignell, then the consequences will be grim."



Judge Eaton said the maximum penalty for the offence was 10 years' imprisonment, meaning Bignell was "in the big league" after "fairly relentless offending" in recent years. ... READ MORE: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-teen-dodges-jail-for-bashing-deaf-man-20130225-2f1zl.html



 Related Article: Vicious Attack on Deaf Man in Australia

Deaf Awareness: Deaf Not Different

VIDEO: Deaf Awareness: Deaf Not Different in subtitles.



In 'Deaf Not Different', get to know four teenagers from Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia, whose aim in making this short film was to advocate for themselves and develop awareness in their community about what it is to be Deaf. We hope you enjoy watching and understand a little more about these extraordinary and yet regular teenagers!

Video by BD EP

Loud Shirt Day Flashmob

Loud Shirt Day Australia - The Loud Shirt Day Flashmob is LIVE!



Wear your support for Deaf children. Register now for Loud Shirt Day: http://www.loudshirtday.com.au



What is Loud Shirt Day? Loud Shirt Day is the perfect way to show your support for Deaf children.



Loud Shirt Day is a fun one day event on Friday 19 October 2012 when you can wear your brightest clothes (love ‘em, hate ‘em, whatever) and raise money to help give the gift of sound and speech to Deaf children. Whether you fancy stripes, florals, polka dots or paisley, as long as its got colour and pizzazz, it will be perfect for Loud Shirt Day.



If you’re the social and energetic type, why not organise an event at work, school or with friends? Create a theme – wear your best and brightest frock, the most hideous shirt, the most outrageous outfit – and get people to contribute on the day for the honour of participating (and having a really good time).



Any excuse for a get together is good. Have it over morning tea, lunch, and don’t forget the catwalk parade!... Read more: http://www.loudshirtday.com.au/about



Subcribe: LoudShirtDayAus

Video source LoudShirtDayAus

Deaf Man Bashed For Pizza

MELBOURNE, AU (7NEWS) - In a shocking act of violence, a young man with a hearing impairment has been bashed over a pizza. A Melbourne man says a brutal attack on his hearing-impaired son over a pizza was beyond understanding and the attacker might strike again.



EOIN Murphy, 20, is recovering from his injuries after being assaulted in the inner suburb of Clifton Hill about 6.30pm (AEST) on Sunday, June 3 after picking up a pizza.



Police say he was heading to his local milk bar to buy a drink when an attacker kicked him twice in the stomach. The attacker laughed and fled with the pizza.

Read more... http://www.news.com.au/national-old/laughing-thug-bashed-deaf-man-for-pizza/story-e6frfkvr-1226410136468



Video source 7NEWS

Deaf Wrestler 'Jonathan Link'

PERTH, AU - Jonathan (Link) Hardy, of Safety Bay, Australia picked up the Platinum World Wrestling Rookie of the Year title in the US recently for his achievements and training during his first year of wrestling.



He toured the US with two other wrestlers, one of whom was Luke McKenna (Craven) from Rockingham, who won the International Wrestler of the Year award against other wrestlers from Australia, US, Japan and Europe.



Craven was in the US for three months before Jonathan joined him.



“He came over for the experience after only six months of training and won the Platinum Wrestling Rookie of the Year, which was amazing as he is the only Deaf wrestler ever to do that.”... Read more http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-heroes/Local-wrestlers-do-well-overseas/7548525/



Wrestler Biography of Jonathan Link

Video source JONATHAN1LINK



Biography: Jonathan Link is the worlds 1st international travild Deaf wrestler althow there has been other Deaf wrestlers befor him non have traviled international who were profoundly Deaf. this makes Jonatahn link the 1st in his feald to do so Jonathan Link was born in perth W.A Australia he got his start with AAW wrestling in perth when he was just 20 years old since then he has wrestled all over America with platnum wrestling lead by the Internationl Super Star Erico who took Jonathan Link under his wing during which time Jonathan link was seen in japan on Sameri T.V then it was Canada where he meet former wwe Super Star Chris Thorn Who also took Jonathan Link to new hights with his carrier.



Jonathan Link has been seen wrestling all over Australia with AWF wrestling and any one who has seen him wrestel has said he is a sight to behold. Visit www.allactionwrestling.com.au for more information. Video source masotelophotography



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Vicious Attack On Deaf Man In Australia

7News - Vicious attack on Deaf man in Australia.



PERTH, AU. - Police release CCTV of a train station bashing of a Deaf man who was kicked and punched at a train station on Monday has appealed for public help to catch the thugs responsible. The thugs captured on surveillance camera.



The 18-year-old Kewdale man surrendered to police after security vision of the attack was released to media outlets yesterday.

Video by 7NEWS



The footage showed Seow Oh, 28, of Gosnells, being attacked on the station platform after getting off an Amadale-bound train in Carlisle at about 2.10pm on Monday this week.



Mr Oh, who is profoundly Deaf and uses sign language, was walking to his car parked at the station when was kicked from behind in what police described as an unprovoked and cowardly attack. Mr Oh was repeatedly kicked as he lay on the ground and suffered a fractured eye socket. Source 7NEWS.

A very special moment...

Local firefighter David Tree shares his water with an injured Australian koala at Mirboo North after wildfires swept through the region on Monday, February 9, 2009.

found pic @ tribe

Deaf People DO Have Interesting Jobs!

Video in captioned: Deaf People DO Have Interesting Jobs!



This short preview highlights a number of Deaf people in professional occupations. The viewer will get a short but honest impression of Deaf people doing a variety of jobs. It is hoped that this will provide young Deaf people with a perspective on the types of work they can do in the future. Deaf people can do anything except hear!

Video by DeafChildrenAus