[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.41,0:00:29.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd like to tell you a story.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.20,0:00:35.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I was 24, I found myself living\Nin a small beach town
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.10,0:00:37.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by the name of Naples, Florida.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.11,0:00:40.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was looking for something new.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.19,0:00:41.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was 24.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.97,0:00:43.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm 29 now.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.41,0:00:49.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in that small coastal town,\NI was the only Deaf resident.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.46,0:00:55.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, the closest deaf person\Nwas a few hours away by car.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.56,0:01:01.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And all of the friends and acquaintances\Nthat I had made could hear.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.39,0:01:05.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't mind though;\NI wanted something new.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.24,0:01:08.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Lucky for me, Naples, Florida
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.09,0:01:10.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is home to some of\Nthe U.S. Olympics volleyball team,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.74,0:01:12.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where they reside\Nand train through the year.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.39,0:01:17.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I had a fantastic opportunity\Nto play with them every day I could.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.23,0:01:22.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we'd hit the court all the time,\Neither indoors or out at the beach;
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.03,0:01:23.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was great.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.51,0:01:26.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Lucky for them, I happen\Nto be very good at volleyball.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.84,0:01:33.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So one night after a great game,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.99,0:01:36.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a friend and I pull up\Nsome chairs by the water
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.89,0:01:39.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to watch the sun go down and chat.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.74,0:01:45.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And he looks over at me\Nand he asks me a question
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.93,0:01:48.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that completely blew me away.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.42,0:01:53.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To be honest, in 24 years of my life,\Nnobody had ever asked me.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.100,0:01:56.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And his question was simple:
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.59,0:01:59.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Have you ever wished you could hear?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.93,0:02:02.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I looked at him for a second and thought,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.11,0:02:03.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where did that come from?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.25,0:02:07.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then I took a moment and I realized
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.39,0:02:09.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while we had been sitting there,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.07,0:02:12.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could see waves coming in\Nand crashing on the beach.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.27,0:02:13.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He could hear that.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.07,0:02:15.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Obviously, I couldn't.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.74,0:02:18.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My entire world is completely silent.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.73,0:02:21.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To our left, people\Nhad taken over the court
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.09,0:02:23.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and were playing volleyball,\Ncheering each other on.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.50,0:02:27.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To our right, a mother\Nwas playing and laughing with her baby.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.67,0:02:28.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And behind us,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.70,0:02:33.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cars and ATVs had passed by all day\Nwithout me even noticing.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.75,0:02:37.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I was quick to answer:
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.12,0:02:41.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No, of course not.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.54,0:02:43.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've never wished I could hear.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.10,0:02:47.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've never wished\Nthat because I love who I am."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.34,0:02:52.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you may be wondering,\NHow do I love myself as a Deaf man?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.15,0:02:56.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, first, I was born deaf.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.22,0:02:59.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My deafness shaped my childhood,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.74,0:03:02.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's all I've ever known.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.23,0:03:06.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So my perspective on life\Nand my experience of the world
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.25,0:03:07.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is very different.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.03,0:03:10.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My outlook and my life\Nhas involved experiences
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.66,0:03:14.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that many of you have never\Nhad to encounter as hearing people.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.09,0:03:17.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My culture, something\NI embody and cherish,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.90,0:03:19.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has always been Deaf.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.25,0:03:22.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My perspective on life\Nis completely different.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.55,0:03:26.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The experiences I've had,\Nsomething I hold most dear,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.55,0:03:29.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have taught me\Nto love myself as a Deaf man.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.62,0:03:32.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To illustrate that point,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.09,0:03:37.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if I were to walk into a job interview\Nwith a panel of hearing peers,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.12,0:03:42.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if I were to approach that meeting\Nwishing that I could hear,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.40,0:03:45.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wishing that I could speak like them,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.84,0:03:48.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and focusing on that imbalance,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.03,0:03:51.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do you think that I would do very well?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.98,0:03:54.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Obviously not, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.96,0:03:57.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because in the back of my mind\NI'm focusing on the negative,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.91,0:04:00.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,therefore creating a negative outcome,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.52,0:04:02.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm certain I wouldn't get that job.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.58,0:04:09.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, if instead, I use my difference\Nas an advantage and an asset,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.41,0:04:13.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know that as a Deaf man\NI have so much to offer their company.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.67,0:04:16.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My experiences growing up\Nare much different from theirs.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.80,0:04:20.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And knowing that allows me\Nto approach the interview positive.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.84,0:04:23.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can go into that meeting\Nand confidently tell them
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.27,0:04:25.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how they will benefit\Nfrom hiring a Deaf man
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.43,0:04:27.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a multitude of reasons.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.49,0:04:32.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I can walk out with that job\Nbecause it's all about mindset.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.42,0:04:36.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I say first and foremost\Nto love yourself.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.65,0:04:42.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So as I mentioned, the first reason\NI love myself is my upbringing.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.85,0:04:47.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But many of you may not know\Nthat I come from a rather large family.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.60,0:04:50.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have two brothers who are also Deaf
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.10,0:04:53.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,along with my parents,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.51,0:04:55.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my grandparents,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.22,0:04:59.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and yes, even my\Ngreat-grandparents as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.24,0:05:03.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm the fourth generation\Nin a beautiful family
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.59,0:05:06.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with over 25 Deaf members.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.98,0:05:11.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Born to Deaf parents\Nwho understood the Deaf experience,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.49,0:05:13.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they knew exactly how to raise me.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.34,0:05:16.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They knew how to provide me\Nwith the best opportunities
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.92,0:05:18.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to support me.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.72,0:05:23.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From day one of my existence,\Nmy parents gave me language,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.35,0:05:25.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,access to education,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.17,0:05:26.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and love.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.85,0:05:30.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Growing up, my life was perfect.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.68,0:05:34.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine, like many of you\Nborn to hearing parents,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.54,0:05:37.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I never noticed barriers\Nthat simply weren't there.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.24,0:05:40.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm sure many of you\Nfelt your life was normal,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.47,0:05:42.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the same way that I did.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.75,0:05:47.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Coming from a Deaf family, my world,\Nin every way, was a utopia.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.76,0:05:56.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When it came time for my parents\Nto enroll me in school,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.57,0:05:59.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they already knew\Nthat I would go to the Deaf school.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.07,0:06:03.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would learn in an environment\Nthat was designed for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.77,0:06:05.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At that time, all of my peers,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.94,0:06:07.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and teachers,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.66,0:06:10.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even the superintendent was Deaf.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.89,0:06:15.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I was still in my perfect world.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.29,0:06:19.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was in an environment where I could grow\Nand where I could thrive.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.02,0:06:22.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I had no problems;\Nit was perfect for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.45,0:06:25.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And many people\Ndon't believe that, but it's true.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.15,0:06:30.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, the Deaf community, our world,\Nwas the perfect world for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.91,0:06:33.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I remember in the summer\Nbefore fifth grade,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.26,0:06:34.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was ready to go back to school,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.88,0:06:37.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I asked my mom\Nto go to a public school.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.76,0:06:39.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She thought I was crazy.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.13,0:06:40.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She said, "What?! No!
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.92,0:06:43.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Public school, it's all hearing kids.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.58,0:06:46.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Deaf school is a perfect fit."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.36,0:06:49.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said, "No, I want to learn\Nwhat those students are learning.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.48,0:06:51.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to see what\Ntheir classrooms are like.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.58,0:06:53.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What are public school teachers like?"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.03,0:06:56.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So upon my insistence she enrolled me.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.31,0:06:58.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And after two weeks of frustration,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.55,0:07:01.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I came home pleading\Nto go back to the Deaf school.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.78,0:07:06.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She listened very sympathetically\Nand told me, "Nope, too bad."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.49,0:07:08.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was floored.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.49,0:07:10.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She told me I needed\Nto stick it out for a year
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.76,0:07:14.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I needed to learn how\Nto interact with my hearing peers,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.04,0:07:16.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that if I gave it a little patience,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.01,0:07:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would learn so much\Nabout the world around me.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.60,0:07:21.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because the reality is\Nthe world is hearing.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.95,0:07:24.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was the only Deaf kid\Nin the entire school.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.05,0:07:28.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, I always had hearing friends,\Nbut they could sign like me.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.03,0:07:31.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that year I gained a lot of insight.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.09,0:07:34.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I couldn't be involved\Nin any of the school organizations.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.11,0:07:37.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My friends never learned\Nenough sign to communicate.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.60,0:07:40.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And every time I tried\Nto play a sport, I'd get benched.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.87,0:07:44.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The basketball coach told me a Deaf kid\Ncould never help the team win a game.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.80,0:07:46.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I was athletic.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.83,0:07:51.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So after a year,\NI went back to the Deaf school
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.30,0:07:54.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I realized that's my home.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.84,0:07:56.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's my community.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.49,0:07:59.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And my community is where I can thrive.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.80,0:08:01.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I got involved in the classroom again,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.84,0:08:03.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,joined a bunch of school organizations,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.97,0:08:08.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and got back on the basketball team,\Nwhere I helped win many games.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.62,0:08:13.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's without hesitation that I can say\Nthe Deaf community is in fact my home.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.36,0:08:15.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After graduating high school,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.75,0:08:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was accepted into\Nthe only Deaf university in the world:
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.60,0:08:21.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.65,0:08:24.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was there I gained\Nmy degree in mathematics
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.14,0:08:26.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the intention\Nof becoming a better teacher
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.34,0:08:28.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than the ones I had growing up.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.56,0:08:33.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like many of you, I sat through\Nsome math teachers who seriously sucked.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.11,0:08:35.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.35,0:08:37.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted to be a good math teacher.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.06,0:08:42.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I also wanted to be\Na good role model for those students.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.78,0:08:49.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So as time got closer to graduation,\Nof course I was nervous.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.60,0:08:52.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started questioning\Nif I had made the right decision.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.72,0:08:56.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I decided to get out -
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.40,0:08:59.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to get out of my comfort zone\Nand to travel the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.58,0:09:02.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since then, I've been\Nto over 43 countries.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.71,0:09:05.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the funny thing about when I travel
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.91,0:09:08.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that I'm constantly meeting\Nhearing people who say,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.74,0:09:12.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Nyle, you are so brave.\NHow do you travel like this?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.95,0:09:15.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Isn't it hard to be Deaf and travel?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.32,0:09:17.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It looks impossible."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.47,0:09:21.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And let me tell you,\Ntraveling as a Deaf person, I think,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.67,0:09:25.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is actually much easier\Nthan traveling for hearing people.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.62,0:09:28.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because sign language is something\Nthat gives me access
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.64,0:09:30.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a much larger world.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.44,0:09:35.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'll tell you one of my favorite stories.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.40,0:09:39.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A few years ago, I was in south Sicily\Nperusing a flea market,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.88,0:09:41.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I walked into a butcher shop,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.41,0:09:46.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and standing there is an American tourist\Ntrying to ask the butcher
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.10,0:09:48.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where the meat he was slicing\Nis sourced from.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.18,0:09:54.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the Sicilian man, speaking\Nno English, is gesturing, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.61,0:09:56.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you know Italians gesture.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.62,0:09:58.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's trying to explain\Nwhere the meat comes from,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.93,0:10:01.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's going right\Nover the head of the tourist.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.49,0:10:04.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So watching this very comical\Nbreakdown in conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.41,0:10:06.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm understanding everything perfectly,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.19,0:10:10.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so I pull out a paper and a pen,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.36,0:10:12.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I translate\Nwhat the butcher is saying,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.38,0:10:14.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I hand it over\Nto the tourist and explain,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.58,0:10:16.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"This is what he's trying to tell you."
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.44,0:10:19.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So there I am, the Deaf person\Ntranslating for two hearing people.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.11,0:10:24.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in that situation,\Nthey're the ones disabled, not me.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.23,0:10:25.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.53,0:10:30.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While that story is ironic,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.27,0:10:33.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it happens so many times\Nwhen I meet people in other countries.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.88,0:10:36.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm always amazed\Nto meet locals in other countries,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.62,0:10:39.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and their ability to gesticulate\Nand communicate with me,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.65,0:10:41.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,often quite easily.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.93,0:10:46.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I would always tell myself\Nto visit the local Deaf schools
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.90,0:10:49.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to make time to meet Deaf locals.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.74,0:10:52.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But with every new Deaf school that I saw,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.17,0:10:55.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was sad to see that their schools\Nwere in terrible condition,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.97,0:10:59.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and their education was greatly lacking.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.78,0:11:02.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Often, I just couldn't believe my eyes.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.56,0:11:08.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I would meet Deaf adults,\NI realized a common thread very quickly.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.13,0:11:11.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They either didn't have\Nthe same level of education I did
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.51,0:11:15.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or their language was incomplete,\Nmaking it hard to communicate.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.87,0:11:19.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They'd often complain to me\Nthat the system had failed them,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.69,0:11:21.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and now they struggled to find work.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.10,0:11:23.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I kept asking myself,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.36,0:11:27.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,why is this happening,\Nand why is this happening so often?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.55,0:11:30.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why am I somehow more fortunate?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.46,0:11:33.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Growing up, I thought every deaf person\Nin the world was like me
Dialogue: 0,0:11:33.47,0:11:36.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and had the same opportunities that I did.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.06,0:11:38.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in returning to the United States,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.84,0:11:41.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I decided to do\Nsome research on the topic.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.24,0:11:43.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what I found shocked me.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.67,0:11:46.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are currently more\Nthan 70 million deaf people in the world
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.72,0:11:51.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with only two percent of them having\Naccess to education in sign languages.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:51.44,0:11:54.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which means millions\Nupon millions of deaf children
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.54,0:11:56.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not receiving the education they need,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.88,0:11:59.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also known as education deprivation.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.52,0:12:04.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also learned that over\N75 percent of hearing parents
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.31,0:12:07.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,don't sign to communicate\Nwith their deaf children.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.29,0:12:08.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which is astonishing.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.86,0:12:11.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Again, imagine millions\Nand millions of deaf children
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.62,0:12:14.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without an education, without a language.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.85,0:12:18.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those children without language\Nand access to education
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.80,0:12:20.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,exhibit signs of brain damage.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:25.02,0:12:26.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In my research, I also found
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.74,0:12:29.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I'm a part of an even smaller group.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.83,0:12:33.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ten percent of Deaf children\Ncome from Deaf parents like mine.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.09,0:12:34.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Only 10 percent.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.83,0:12:36.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm incredibly lucky.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.70,0:12:39.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had access to language, an education,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.64,0:12:43.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I had parents who loved me\Nand put me on a path to success.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.33,0:12:46.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wouldn't be who I am today\Nwithout any of those things.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.95,0:12:49.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it was clear to me\Nthat something needed to be done.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.88,0:12:53.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I got to work in setting up\Nmy own foundation -
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.41,0:12:55.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Nyle DiMarco Foundation -
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.26,0:12:56.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the goal of improving the lives
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.100,0:12:59.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of millions of deaf people\Naround the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.36,0:13:02.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've since partnered with another\NDeaf organization in the United States
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.97,0:13:04.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to introduce legislation -
Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.84,0:13:08.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a bill that requires all deaf children\Nhave access to language
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.37,0:13:10.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between the ages of zero and five,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.67,0:13:13.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,setting up benchmarks for their success.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.33,0:13:14.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because before the age of five,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.85,0:13:18.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,children have the ability\Nto acquire a foundation in language,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.04,0:13:21.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,readying them for the classroom\Nand for a successful life.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.83,0:13:26.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After the age of five, that critical\Nlanguage acquisition window closes.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.04,0:13:30.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm working to give every deaf child\Nin the world a future
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.87,0:13:32.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,filled with a rich language
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.21,0:13:35.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the opportunities\NI was lucky enough to receive.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.57,0:13:37.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the Deaf community cannot do it alone;
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.91,0:13:40.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we need you to become our allies
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.61,0:13:43.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and join us in making\Nthe world more knowledgeable.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:44.16,0:13:48.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need you to join us,\Nto fight with us and for us
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.89,0:13:52.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the ongoing battle of affording\Nchildren what they need to thrive.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.78,0:14:00.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So before I go, I want to teach you\Ntwo very simple but important signs.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.26,0:14:02.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first is "love."
Dialogue: 0,0:14:02.96,0:14:04.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The second, "yourself."
Dialogue: 0,0:14:05.15,0:14:06.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Follow me:
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.15,0:14:07.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Love
Dialogue: 0,0:14:08.40,0:14:09.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yourself.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:10.66,0:14:11.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Brilliant!
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.96,0:14:14.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A-plusses all around!
Dialogue: 0,0:14:14.98,0:14:16.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.54,0:14:18.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)