Mum is service's first deaf advisor

From: Walsall News, UK - Jun 7, 2003

A Walsall woman is set to become a youth advice organisation's first personal adviser who is profoundly deaf.

Mother-of-two Cheryl McCoy hopes to be able to champion the cause for young deaf people and provide advice and support for them through the service.

She is set to qualify as a Connexions Black Country personal adviser later this year.

The job covers supporting and advising teenagers on everything from GCSE options to problems with drugs or bullying.

The 45-year-old has two teenage sons, who can both hear, and believes her experiences with them will prepare her for the job.

In a statement she said: "Taking on this challenge will allow me, I hope, to encourage young deaf people to realise that they have got choices and that they shouldn't feel isolated."

© Express & Star, 1997-2003