Published: Wednesday, 5th December, 2007 09:30
Graduate Carri is example to deaf people
By Tracey Bryce
Comments (0)
Print Article
Proud graduate Carri Neilson
A FORMER Alloa resident who was born profoundly deaf was delighted to pick up her degree – and disprove the medics who said she would struggle to achieve in life.
Ecstatic Carri Neilson collected her scroll from Edinburgh’s Heriot Watt University last month, after achieving a diploma in Teaching British Sign Language Tutors.
The graduation marked a huge celebration for the 27-year-old and her family, as doctors predicted that Carri, who was born with no hearing or speech at all, wouldn’t progress as well as someone with full hearing ability.
Carri told the Advertiser, “The graduation ceremony went very well and I was so proud to collect my diploma.
“My mum, step-dad and sister were there and they were so proud of me.”
She added, “It’s been hard work and there were times when I thought I’d never complete the course, but after two long years I’ve finally done it.
“And if I can do it, other deaf people can do it too.”
Carri, who now lives in Edinburgh, hopes to turn her qualification into a positive measure by using it to obtain employment teaching British Sign Language linguistics.
She also plans to become a Deaf Awareness tutor so that she can raise better awareness for other deaf people in shops and public places, after completing Deaf Awareness training.
“I want to say a huge thank you Deaf Action, the Scottish Government who funded the course and, of course, my family and my classmates,” Carri said.
“I’m really pleased to have made it to graduation and I just hope that my experience will empower other deaf people to reach their goals too.
“My message to others is don’t let people hold you back with their negative attitudes and don’t let your deafness make you think you can’t do it.
“Be proud and go for what you want to do.”
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Woolies closure leaves 19 jobless