Summary
Highlights
Isidore recounts his childhood as a hearing person, enjoying the everyday sounds of life. At age 10, he fell severely ill with a high fever and dizziness, leading to a rapid decline in his hearing. Despite seeking medical attention, his condition worsened, and he was eventually told by a nurse that he was going to die and to be buried. Through his mother's unwavering belief, he survived, although he lost his hearing completely.
Isidore redefines deafness not as an inability to hear, but as a New Journey with new goals and purpose. He believes he gained more than he lost, surviving not only meningitis but also more challenging experiences that a hearing person might not overcome.
His parents, unsure how to educate a deaf child, received a letter about a school for the deaf. At 12, Isidore made the life-altering decision to attend. He vividly remembers a 13-hour bicycling trip with his father to the school, a final journey before his father, along with many family members and friends, was killed during the 1993 Burundi genocide. His father's last message, written on paper, emphasized belief in his potential.
Years later, Isidore reflects on being honored as homecoming king at San Diego State University, realizing his father's sacrifices had enabled his success. He established an ASL Club, leading to the university opening an American Sign Language program. Inspired by his father, he feels a responsibility to 'ride' for other deaf people, emphasizing that deafness is not a deficiency but a difference.
Isidore founded Ideal International Deaf Education Advocacy and Leadership (IDEAL) to promote investment in the abilities of deaf individuals. He questions the societal focus on 'fixing' deafness with expensive procedures like cochlear implants, noting that immense sums are spent on medical interventions while minimal funds could provide education for deaf children in developing countries. He highlights alarming statistics: 80% of deaf sign language users live in poor countries, and 83% have no access to education, with only 3% receiving bilingual education.
He urges the audience to focus on their inner voice, a concept he embraced after losing his hearing. Isidore asserts that losing physical senses is not the end, but losing one's inner voice truly diminishes life. He concludes by stating that deafness is not a deficiency or disability; it's simply a difference. He encourages everyone to invest their skills and talents into what connects us, bridging worlds one community at a time.