Miss-Delectable
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The Progress-Index - Being deaf hasnt held him back
Henry Brown is the proud parent of a recent high school graduate. His son, Marcel Waters is like any typical graduating senior. He is surrounded by friends, involved in school activities and plans to attend college.
There is one difference between him and his classmates at Prince George High School. Marcel was born deaf.
After Marcel was born, Brown found himself as a young single father in Petersburg. In the years leading up to Marcel’s birth, Brown said he led a troubled life.
“I was a follower, not a leader,” he said.
Brown said he had a few brushes with the law in his growing up and eventually wound up in a boy’s home. As he grew older, he understood his responsibility, especially for Marcel.
About 10 months after Marcel’s birth, Brown began to fear that his son could be deaf. After a series of tests, it was discovered his son was born without the hairlike cells of the cochlea that facilitate hearing.
“This has been a situation that has changed our family’s life,” Brown said.
Doctors at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center suggested a cochlear implant, after two hearing aides did not help. The implant surgery was a $50,000 procedure but an outpouring of support from the Tri-Cities helped fund the surgery. Two churches, Bott Memorial Presbyterian Church and Mount Calvary Baptist Church, both in DeWitt, began raising money for Marcel before an anonymous donor from Dinwiddie County offered a $25,000 matching grant to help the churches’ fundraising efforts.
These acts of compassion not only lifted their spirits but also grew Brown’s spiritual life. Brown visited Mount Calvary to thank them and that one visit progressed into becoming a member and being married there.
“You can start off wrong but you can end up right,” Brown said. “It’s been going good. It’s been tremendous blessings. We want to thank everybody for supporting us. Since this time, it’s been a turnaround in our lives.”
There were a few struggles after Marcel received the implant and began school. Brown recalled having to visit Marcel’s elementary school numerous times as he tried to adjust.
“I remember when he was 5 or 6 having to come to school all the time,” Brown said.
Through encouragement and support of teachers, staff and others, they worked through those initial struggles. But they did not end there. Marcel soon began to complain about the implant.
“It bothered him.” Brown said. “There were complications.”
Side effects, including headaches, led to several hospital trips and Marcel no longer using the implant. He went on to use sign language and an interpreter in school. He began to progress. Once adjusted to school, Marcel quickly became involved and garnered friends, Brown said.
“He’s like a mediator between the hearing and the deaf populations,” Brown said.
Prince George High School Principal Tracey Smallwood said Marcel was just like any typical student when he entered high school.
“He’s a great guy, a great student,” she said. “He has really been able to be a part of the school program here. He doesn’t really miss out on anything.”
One of his interpreters, Kellie Ryner, said Marcel was well-adjusted and talented in his activities, especially brickwork at Rowanty Vocational Technical Center.
He did “absolutely fabulously” there, she said. “He is very, very skilled.”
In October, Marcel is scheduled to take the SAT. He had to reschedule the test in order to have accommodations for his lack of hearing, Brown said. Once his scores are in, Marcel, the oldest of three children, hopes to attend Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf and hard-of-hearing in Washington, D.C.
“He really wanted to be successful, and he had it in him all the time,” Ryner said. “He was an excellent student. I’m sure he has a very bright and successful future.”
Smallwood agreed. “It’s been rewarding to watch him grow up and mature,” she said. “His handicap has really not held him back.”
For Brown, achievement and a promising future were always his goals for Marcel. When Marcel was turning 5, Brown was already picturing Marcel’s graduation.
“I’m really proud,” Brown said. “I am. And now I get to see him walking across the stage.”
Henry Brown is the proud parent of a recent high school graduate. His son, Marcel Waters is like any typical graduating senior. He is surrounded by friends, involved in school activities and plans to attend college.
There is one difference between him and his classmates at Prince George High School. Marcel was born deaf.
After Marcel was born, Brown found himself as a young single father in Petersburg. In the years leading up to Marcel’s birth, Brown said he led a troubled life.
“I was a follower, not a leader,” he said.
Brown said he had a few brushes with the law in his growing up and eventually wound up in a boy’s home. As he grew older, he understood his responsibility, especially for Marcel.
About 10 months after Marcel’s birth, Brown began to fear that his son could be deaf. After a series of tests, it was discovered his son was born without the hairlike cells of the cochlea that facilitate hearing.
“This has been a situation that has changed our family’s life,” Brown said.
Doctors at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center suggested a cochlear implant, after two hearing aides did not help. The implant surgery was a $50,000 procedure but an outpouring of support from the Tri-Cities helped fund the surgery. Two churches, Bott Memorial Presbyterian Church and Mount Calvary Baptist Church, both in DeWitt, began raising money for Marcel before an anonymous donor from Dinwiddie County offered a $25,000 matching grant to help the churches’ fundraising efforts.
These acts of compassion not only lifted their spirits but also grew Brown’s spiritual life. Brown visited Mount Calvary to thank them and that one visit progressed into becoming a member and being married there.
“You can start off wrong but you can end up right,” Brown said. “It’s been going good. It’s been tremendous blessings. We want to thank everybody for supporting us. Since this time, it’s been a turnaround in our lives.”
There were a few struggles after Marcel received the implant and began school. Brown recalled having to visit Marcel’s elementary school numerous times as he tried to adjust.
“I remember when he was 5 or 6 having to come to school all the time,” Brown said.
Through encouragement and support of teachers, staff and others, they worked through those initial struggles. But they did not end there. Marcel soon began to complain about the implant.
“It bothered him.” Brown said. “There were complications.”
Side effects, including headaches, led to several hospital trips and Marcel no longer using the implant. He went on to use sign language and an interpreter in school. He began to progress. Once adjusted to school, Marcel quickly became involved and garnered friends, Brown said.
“He’s like a mediator between the hearing and the deaf populations,” Brown said.
Prince George High School Principal Tracey Smallwood said Marcel was just like any typical student when he entered high school.
“He’s a great guy, a great student,” she said. “He has really been able to be a part of the school program here. He doesn’t really miss out on anything.”
One of his interpreters, Kellie Ryner, said Marcel was well-adjusted and talented in his activities, especially brickwork at Rowanty Vocational Technical Center.
He did “absolutely fabulously” there, she said. “He is very, very skilled.”
In October, Marcel is scheduled to take the SAT. He had to reschedule the test in order to have accommodations for his lack of hearing, Brown said. Once his scores are in, Marcel, the oldest of three children, hopes to attend Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf and hard-of-hearing in Washington, D.C.
“He really wanted to be successful, and he had it in him all the time,” Ryner said. “He was an excellent student. I’m sure he has a very bright and successful future.”
Smallwood agreed. “It’s been rewarding to watch him grow up and mature,” she said. “His handicap has really not held him back.”
For Brown, achievement and a promising future were always his goals for Marcel. When Marcel was turning 5, Brown was already picturing Marcel’s graduation.
“I’m really proud,” Brown said. “I am. And now I get to see him walking across the stage.”