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News-Democrat & Leader Online
When Travis Rosser began fifth grade, he had to write about the expectations he had for this school year. One that he listed was to join the band and play drums. Wanting to be in the band wouldn't be at all unusual, except for one thing- Travis is deaf.
But Travis hasn't let his deafness stop him before and he sure wasn't going to let it keep him from being in band.
“He's just a remarkable kid,” said Tina Callahan-Dye, an interpreter who works with Travis at Lewisburg Elementary School.
Travis lost his hearing at the age of two and a half after a case of meningitis. Although it was hard, his parents, Crystal and Shane Rosser, did the best they could.
“It was hard,” Crystal said. “We just kept talking to him like he could hear.”
Travis can hear a little with the help of hearing aids, but he is considered profoundly deaf, meaning unable to hear. Crystal said it helped that he knew how to talk some when he lost his hearing.
“To hear him speak you'd never know that he can't hear,” said Callahan-Dye, who began working with Travis when he was three years old. Travis can read lips and use sign language. He's an excellent student who enjoys math and reading and is on the academic team at Lewisburg.
When Travis told his mom he wanted to be in band, she said she was all for it.
“I was excited for him,” Crystal said.
Travis said he chose to be in band “because it's cool,” and he choose to play the drums “because they're cool.”
When everyone is warming up and the bandroom is filled with sounds, Travis is able to hear some of it. He has good rhythm and pays close attention to the band director. When the director gives the sign to start, Travis is ready and begins following along in his band book.
“He's a great percussionist,” said Zachery Case, one of Travis' friends and fellow band member. “He does a good job.”
Playing in the band is a challenge, Travis said, but it is one he enjoys.
“I was a little nervous,” Travis said of when he started band. He's since performed in the Christmas concert and he said it felt good to be part of the band and have a successful show.
Travis is learning to play various percussion instruments, including the snare drum, bass drum, bells and chimes. He hopes to continue playing in a band, perhaps joining the marching band in high school and even going on after that.
Callahan-Dye said Travis is wonderful to work with. He never lets his lack of hearing stop him from giving something his all. The other children in his class have been around him so long that they don't seem to think anything about having a classmate who is deaf. When Callahan-Dye is not with him, Travis has a friend who knows a little sign language and will help him out by signing and writing notes.
Travis said he really doesn't think about being deaf, he just goes on with life and does what he wants.
When Travis Rosser began fifth grade, he had to write about the expectations he had for this school year. One that he listed was to join the band and play drums. Wanting to be in the band wouldn't be at all unusual, except for one thing- Travis is deaf.
But Travis hasn't let his deafness stop him before and he sure wasn't going to let it keep him from being in band.
“He's just a remarkable kid,” said Tina Callahan-Dye, an interpreter who works with Travis at Lewisburg Elementary School.
Travis lost his hearing at the age of two and a half after a case of meningitis. Although it was hard, his parents, Crystal and Shane Rosser, did the best they could.
“It was hard,” Crystal said. “We just kept talking to him like he could hear.”
Travis can hear a little with the help of hearing aids, but he is considered profoundly deaf, meaning unable to hear. Crystal said it helped that he knew how to talk some when he lost his hearing.
“To hear him speak you'd never know that he can't hear,” said Callahan-Dye, who began working with Travis when he was three years old. Travis can read lips and use sign language. He's an excellent student who enjoys math and reading and is on the academic team at Lewisburg.
When Travis told his mom he wanted to be in band, she said she was all for it.
“I was excited for him,” Crystal said.
Travis said he chose to be in band “because it's cool,” and he choose to play the drums “because they're cool.”
When everyone is warming up and the bandroom is filled with sounds, Travis is able to hear some of it. He has good rhythm and pays close attention to the band director. When the director gives the sign to start, Travis is ready and begins following along in his band book.
“He's a great percussionist,” said Zachery Case, one of Travis' friends and fellow band member. “He does a good job.”
Playing in the band is a challenge, Travis said, but it is one he enjoys.
“I was a little nervous,” Travis said of when he started band. He's since performed in the Christmas concert and he said it felt good to be part of the band and have a successful show.
Travis is learning to play various percussion instruments, including the snare drum, bass drum, bells and chimes. He hopes to continue playing in a band, perhaps joining the marching band in high school and even going on after that.
Callahan-Dye said Travis is wonderful to work with. He never lets his lack of hearing stop him from giving something his all. The other children in his class have been around him so long that they don't seem to think anything about having a classmate who is deaf. When Callahan-Dye is not with him, Travis has a friend who knows a little sign language and will help him out by signing and writing notes.
Travis said he really doesn't think about being deaf, he just goes on with life and does what he wants.