After reading about Downie in, Student Lives Life in Silence, Dreams Big, from the Daily Toreador, Texas Tech's student newspaper, I knew I had to feature him here.
Living a mobility disability I tend to compensate for any physical discrepencies by bringing out my outgoing, bubbly personality (I talk too much ha), so it is hard to imagine living a life in silence. Even though he cannot verbally express himself, Downie finds other ways to communicate and has never let his disability get in the way of his goals and living day to day life.
"'I never think that I had a communication barrier,' Derek Downie said. 'To be honest, I have barely experienced any communication barrier in my whole life. I taught myself to be independent and depend on myself to make the communication work effectively between students and myself.'"
Downie communicates by lip reading, using American Sign Language and sometimes writes things down with pen and paper. Being deaf has certainly never stopped him from advancing academically or socially. His best friend Robert Morrison explains in the article that at first glance, Downie seems like he would have a hard time in life, but his confidence and abilities inspire many.
"'I’m sure everybody he met thought there was no way this kid can make a contribution in anyway: He can’t communicate in the way society says he has to communicate. But he is an incredible inspiration to me in setting my own personal goals and living out my life without excuse.'"
Overall, whether you have physical impairments, mobility issues, or sense related barriers, disability should never allow you to push the pause button in life. Having a disability can and is a rewarding part of life for many.
