Deaf Newport teenager encourages others to follow their dreams (From South Wales Argus)

Deaf Newport teenager encourages others to follow their dreams

12:50pm Friday 10th April 2009 in News By Chris Wood, Reporter

Elinor Scott

A NEWPORT teenager is indulging her love of animals and wants to inspire other deaf youngsters to follow their dreams.

Elinor Scott, 17, of Vancouver Drive, Glasllwch is the only deaf student at Coleg Gwent’s Usk campus.

She helped organise a countryside experience day and will introduce 30 deaf youngsters to animals, offer tractor rides and pond dipping.

Miss Scott hopes that by seeing her pursuing a dream of working with animals, they will realise they can follow any career path.

“I just want to be a positive role model,” she said.

“There are lots of deaf people at Cross Keys campus as it has the facilities and many think it’s the only option. But it would be lovely to have more deaf people across every campus, studying topics they really want to do.” Miss Scott has never let her disability stand in her way. She is a former British disability shot putt champion, British deaf U/13 backstroke champion and works part-time at Bristol Zoo- where she has completed 40 hours work experience.

WIth the help of interpreters, she can explain to visitors about creatures like spiders, iguanas and snakes.

Miss Scott is studying Land-based Studies at Coleg Gwent, learning about the care of farm animals, rodents and reptiles.

She has two rats of her own, a cat and two guinea pigs and plans to buy a sheep dog puppy and train it.

She sufferers from the rare genetic disorder Usher Syndrome- which affects 6% of deaf children.

It will lead to a gradual deterioration of her sight and Miss Scott will eventually have tunnel vision.

She studies three days a week at Usk through interpreters. The Welsh Assembly funds the £20/hour cost.

Miss Scott attended Elmfield School for Deaf Children, Bristol and hopes to study Land-based studies for another three years.

Dad Ian, 48, a Pontypool campus lecturer learnt British Sign Language as did mum Catherine, 49, who now teaches deaf children in Bristol.

Miss Scott teaches fellow students sign language at lunch times and wants other deaf children to see how easy it is to go on to further education.

She will guide four and five-year olds from deaf units at Hollybush Primary and Llantarnam Primary at the Countryside Day on April 30.

“When I first went to Coleg Gwent, I wasn’t used to studying with people who could hear and was nervous.

But now I’m much more confident,” she added.

“I want to show children they can follow their dreams and if some are interested in animals, give them help”.

Hollybush Primary deaf unit teacher Deborah Thomas said: “The message often to young deaf children is there is not enough opportunity. To see Elinor out there, achieving things will be wonderful for the children.”