Deaf celebrities share heartfelt messages to their younger selves in deaf awareness campaign

Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE has shared a moving video message in British Sign Language (BSL) to her younger self as part of the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Deaf Awareness Week (5-11 May) campaign. 

The BAFTA winning actress, who starred in hit BBC1 drama Reunion, reassures her younger self: “Don’t worry too much”, recalling how she was nervous ahead of her first job interview to work in a supermarket.  

Rose, who was born deaf, recalls: “You were worried and concerned and you told mum that you didn’t know if you would get the job because you are deaf.   

“Forget that - you will get the job! When you get the job, you will realise your confidence will grow. You will learn that being deaf is actually your advantage. It will give you so many opportunities.”  

Rose, who also recently fronted BBC documentary Old Hands New Tricks, which sees her teach BSL to residents at a retirement home, adds: “Just learn how to make the most of those opportunities. Before you know it, you will have an amazing time. Just believe in yourself.”  Rose also recently published a new children's book, entitled Marvellous Messages.

Rose’s inspiring message to her younger self is one in a series of powerful videos from deaf people which are being shared across social media by the National Deaf Children’s Society during Deaf Awareness Week.  

Last year’s Strictly Come Dancing finalist Tasha Ghouri has also shared a poignant video as part of the charity’s ‘A Message to Younger Me’ campaign, which celebrates deaf identity, resilience, and community.  

In her video Tasha, who was born deaf, recalls struggling through school where she was the only deaf student and facing challenges including her cochlear implant breaking during her first year at college, while studying A Levels.  

Tasha, who is from North Yorkshire, tells her younger self: “You also had struggles with it [the cochlear implant] falling out while you were dancing. But you stayed positive and found ways to get through it and to adapt. You managed to find double-sided sticky tape was the way to keep it on.”  

The model, author and podcaster, who was ITV’s Love Island's first deaf contestant, tells her younger self how she’s “so proud” to be deaf and how she proudly wore her “bedazzled” cochlear implant while competing on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.  

“Many people send you videos showing them decorating theirs and that’s the power of the deaf representation you did on Strictly Come Dancing,” Tasha recalls.   

Tasha, who has worked with Number 10 Downing Street to champion issues on behalf of people who are deaf, closes her video by telling deaf young people: “Your deafness does not define you. It’s a part of you that’s special and unique. Embrace your differences it’s your superpower and that’s what makes you truly magical.”  

In another powerful video message Vogue model, actress and deaf advocate Georgia Meacham urges her younger self to embrace her deafness, a “beautiful part of who you are”.  

Georgia, who was born deaf and wears two hearing aids, urges her younger self “Please, please, please…keep those gorgeous sparkly pink hearing aids in because one day you will - I promise you - you’ll realise that they're your magic, and you do not need to be like everyone else. You are going to achieve so, so much and your deafness will never hold you back.”   

Arran Masterman, from the National Deaf Children’s Society said: “We want deaf children and their families to be inspired by these stories and messages of empowerment. We’re encouraging deaf children to embrace their deaf identity and see their uniqueness as a strength.  

“It’s also about raising awareness of deaf experiences. Whether it’s overcoming barriers, finding confidence, or embracing sign language, every story is a celebration of deaf pride and resilience, for deaf children, young people and the wider deaf community.”  

Mr Masterman added: “The National Deaf Children’s Society wants deaf children and young people to keep believing in themselves, keep aiming high, and achieving whatever they want to do.”  

The National Deaf Children’s Society supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and young people. For anyone needing advice, support or information about deafness, please call our free Helpline on 0808 800 8880 or visit our website, www.ndcs.org.uk    

We’re here for you whenever you need us – if you’ve just found out your child has a hearing loss, you need support with making decisions as your child grows up or you work with deaf children. Join us today to access all our information, services and support.   

There are also free deaf awareness resources on the National Deaf Children’s Society website with deaf awareness videos for children, a deaf awareness quiz and much more.