SEPTEMBER is Deaf Awareness Month, and Graaff-Reinet marked the occasion in style last Saturday, with the regular parkrun along Mountain Drive being dedicated to the cause.
Runners were encouraged to wear red or blue, and to buy a set of earplugs (kindly sponsored by Montego Pet Nutrition) to experience the 5km event through the ears of a deaf person.
The event was organised by the Maya Deaf Foundation (MDF), a locally-based NPO, set up by Laszlo Maya and Ruth Abercrombie, in 2017 to encourage those affected by hearing loss to achieve their dreams.
Maya, an intern at the Department of Education, has been deaf since the age of six. He was fortunate to receive a cochlear implant as a child, and participated fully in school life, excelling academically and going on to become the head boy at Union High School.
Growing up as a child who was ‘different’ made him determined to help others in a similar predicament, even from an early age.
Thanks to his implant, he was able to experience life as a hearing person in most situations, but without his hearing aid, the difficulties are magnified many times over.
Maya went on to achieve a BCom General Accounting degree at Nelson Mandela University, despite some setbacks along the way.
In 2017 he was honoured to be chosen as one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans for his contribution towards civil society. He is passionate about helping others and gives educational and motivational talks where he shares his experiences.
This ‘sharing’ was in full swing on Saturday, when the MDF team, along with volunteers, sold the earplugs, handed out information pamphlets and chatted with the runners and walkers.
Bronwyn Barlow, one of the volunteers, commented afterwards how she was frustrated at missing out on conversation during the walk. Maya’s wry smile confirmed that he had achieved his objective.
The parkrun organisers were also thrilled with the support, with many first-time runners.
With 176 participants, it was the highest turnout for many months.
“The Silent Walk initiative was a first for the Maya Deaf Foundation,” said Maya.
“Like many ‘firsts’, we did not know what to expect but we had faith that it would be a memorable one – and a memorable one it was!”
He expressed his pride in the local community who came together for a common cause, to rally around those affected by hearing loss.
“We are truly grateful to them and for the donations received to further our objectives,” he said.
