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http://www.fultonsun.com/articles/2006/04/04/news/272news14.txt
To the Deaf community, Jack Gannon's sojourn to Fulton this Wednesday is comparable to the hype rendered when Sir Winston Churchill descended on the town in 1946.
But for most area residents, Gannon's name is as unfamiliar as are his hailed accomplishments. That is an impression educators here hope will change when the historian gives a speech for William Woods University's President's Concert and Lecture Series.
“When he comes here, it's like when Winston Churchill Š came to Fulton,” said Carolyn Ball, director of American Sign Language and interpretation at William Woods University. “He's a hero.”
Gannon, a former graduate of the Missouri School for the Deaf, is a noted deaf historian, author and educator. Along with numerous awards, Gannon was the curator of “History Through Deaf Eyes,” a traveling exhibit depicting two centuries of deaf history.
During his presentation at 7 p.m. at Cutlip Auditorium in the McNutt Campus Center, Gannon said he will present historical facts about deaf people, what it is like being deaf and growing up in a world of sound, and why “windmilling” - using sign language - is a preferred means of communication for deaf citizens.
“I'd like for (hearing people) to walk out the auditorium door realizing that Š deaf folks are really no different than anyone else except that we cannot hear,” Gannon said. “I want any doubters to know that Š deaf people are not ‘charity cases' as some people in some regions think we are.
“When given an opportunity, a good education and a level playing field, we do all right,” Gannon concluded. “We do have a lot to be proud of.”
Gannon is expected to visit with MSD students prior to his speech, and he said it is important to him and his wife to be available as role models for young members of the Deaf community.
“If in any way Rosalyn's and my life could positively influence and challenge young deaf people, we would be most grateful,” Gannon said. “It would be ‘payback-time' for what our role models did for us.”
MSD superintendent Barbara Garrison said her students are excited to rub shoulders with one of their heroes, and she hopes Gannon's visit will lift the common veil of misunderstanding toward deaf people.
“So often in the hearing community we have a tendency to think of the limitations of deafness and what individuals can't do,” Garrison said. “Gannon will be a wonderful way to turn that thinking around.”
To the Deaf community, Jack Gannon's sojourn to Fulton this Wednesday is comparable to the hype rendered when Sir Winston Churchill descended on the town in 1946.
But for most area residents, Gannon's name is as unfamiliar as are his hailed accomplishments. That is an impression educators here hope will change when the historian gives a speech for William Woods University's President's Concert and Lecture Series.
“When he comes here, it's like when Winston Churchill Š came to Fulton,” said Carolyn Ball, director of American Sign Language and interpretation at William Woods University. “He's a hero.”
Gannon, a former graduate of the Missouri School for the Deaf, is a noted deaf historian, author and educator. Along with numerous awards, Gannon was the curator of “History Through Deaf Eyes,” a traveling exhibit depicting two centuries of deaf history.
During his presentation at 7 p.m. at Cutlip Auditorium in the McNutt Campus Center, Gannon said he will present historical facts about deaf people, what it is like being deaf and growing up in a world of sound, and why “windmilling” - using sign language - is a preferred means of communication for deaf citizens.
“I'd like for (hearing people) to walk out the auditorium door realizing that Š deaf folks are really no different than anyone else except that we cannot hear,” Gannon said. “I want any doubters to know that Š deaf people are not ‘charity cases' as some people in some regions think we are.
“When given an opportunity, a good education and a level playing field, we do all right,” Gannon concluded. “We do have a lot to be proud of.”
Gannon is expected to visit with MSD students prior to his speech, and he said it is important to him and his wife to be available as role models for young members of the Deaf community.
“If in any way Rosalyn's and my life could positively influence and challenge young deaf people, we would be most grateful,” Gannon said. “It would be ‘payback-time' for what our role models did for us.”
MSD superintendent Barbara Garrison said her students are excited to rub shoulders with one of their heroes, and she hopes Gannon's visit will lift the common veil of misunderstanding toward deaf people.
“So often in the hearing community we have a tendency to think of the limitations of deafness and what individuals can't do,” Garrison said. “Gannon will be a wonderful way to turn that thinking around.”
