Hear hear: VicDef case manager Brad Eddington and Stan Batson.
ERIN PEARSON
NEWCOMB’S Stan Batson never enjoyed being stuck in an office.
Instead he preferred the outdoors where he felt “as free as a bird”. But it wasn’t always that way.
Mr Batson was born deaf and said he spent years struggling with the hearing world for acceptance.
Now six decades after immersing himself in support services for the deaf, Mr Batson said he was encouraging people to get involved in the 2012 Deaf Games, to be held in Geelong.
“It’s one event where deaf people can go and compete and know they’ve tried their hardest,” he said.
“Parents can also come and see their children and say ‘that’s my son or daughter’ and be so proud.
“I love to help because deaf people have such beautiful gifts, they may have problems with communicating but they are blessed in so many other ways.”
The Australian Deaf Games are held every four years and attract competitors from all over Australia and New Zealand.
January 14 to 21 will mark the first time in 29 years since the games were last held in Victoria and a first for Geelong.
This year’s games will also mark the first time surfing is added to the competition alongside events such as cricket, soccer, swimming, athletics and tennis.
Mr Batson, a keen cricketer in his day, said he felt humbled to see a change in the negative stigma that once made deaf people feel isolated from their communities.
He said the Deaf Games would help the deaf feel increased acceptance and ability.
“No one used to understand me and would just think deaf people were disabled and stupid but as technology has grown and awareness has grown over the years, people’s attitudes have changed also.
“We now have nine interpreters in Geelong and around 140 deaf people active in the community.”
For more information or to register visit austdeafgames.org.au.
