Deaf mum is champ

From: icBirmingham, UK - Aug 26, 2003

By Dale Williams, Evening Mail

A Walsall mum of two who cannot hear will soon become Britain's first deaf personal adviser to help young people with hearing problems.

Cheryl McCoy, aged 45, hopes to be able to champion the cause for deaf youngsters and provide advice and support working for the Connexions service.

She is expected to qualify in October before planning to work with Walsall Deaf People's Centre and Connexions careers service to eventually train personal advisers in deaf awareness.

Cheryl, from Great Barr, and her husband, who is also deaf, have two hearing teenage sons.

She said: "I think my experiences as a deaf person together with having two teenagers already gives me a good background to becoming a personal adviser.

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

Cheryl will be based at Walsall Deaf People's Centre, in Lichfield Road, Walsall.

Sarah Cooper, Connexions communications and marketing co-ordinator, said: "Having Cheryl as a deaf personal adviser will help us to improve our service.

"Her appointment will also enable us to provide advice and support to more deaf and hearing impaired young people and their families."

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