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I was bullied for being deaf, now people have to listen to me | The Sun |Woman|Real Life
FOR Haley Sadler, watching her favourite TV shows has never been much fun.
The pretty 21-year-old, who has been almost completely deaf since birth, relies on subtitles to follow the action on screen.
But rather than simply accept her fate, Haley, from West Kirby, Merseyside, vowed to make sure the nine million deaf people in Britain were heard.
So she launched a Facebook page called "Hard of hearing/deaf people need more help and support".
And in just seven months it has more than 3,500 members from across the world.
She has raised the profile of deaf people, met her favourite pop star and been honoured by the country's leading deaf charity.
But it was her frustration at being viciously bullied at school, the ignorance and lack of TV subtitles that inspired her crusade.
She says: "I'd get excited when my favourite show was on the TV - Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place - but without any subtitles it was impossible for me to watch.
"After years of putting up with this, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
"In February I emailed channels requesting subtitles for my favourite American shows."
Unfortunately for Haley, the replies said they were unable to subtitle every show.
Haley explains: "But it made me think about ways to improve awareness of the deaf and hard of hearing, so I started my Facebook page.
"I've been told without it many members would still feel alone and lost. We all came together like a little family and talked about how we feel and how we want to change it.
"There are many people who feel scared to talk to doctors regarding how they feel about their hearing.
Friends
"My group was the best way for them to get it all out as it felt easy for them not having to see anybody in person to ask for help.
"I help them to build confidence and get them to accept who they are.
"We became friends and I'm always there for them if they need me."
Haley reveals she had a difficult time at the hands of school bullies.
She says: "The kids would think it was funny to switch off my hearing aid when they were sitting behind me during class. I'd get shoved, spat at, tripped over and have drinks thrown at my ears and hearing aid.
"I tried to stick up for myself, but found it difficult to deal with the amount of ignorance at school."
Her fantastic work in such a short time led to Haley being recognised by the RNID - the Royal National Institute for Deaf people - who made her an honorary member.
The charity also organised for Haley to meet her favourite singer, Lee Ryan from Blue, who now takes an active involvement in her group.
Haley explains: "Lee saw my deaf group and wrote on the wall, saying he would like to help me promote whatever I do and thought I was brave for standing up for myself.
Enjoys
"Since meeting him, we've stayed in contact and meet up sometimes to hang out - I've just come back from Manchester after celebrating my early 21st with Lee last weekend."
Despite her hearing difficulties, Haley still enjoys music, like most girls her age.
She says: "I love music but it takes me a while to hear and know the song - Blue have three albums and I'm still learning the lyrics!
"It's really hard as I have to read the lyrics over and over again while listening to the song to learn it.
"I love the new boyband The Wanted and it took me a whole month to learn the lyrics of their song All Time Low."
Her favourite band, in case you hadn't guessed, is Blue - she has a One Love tattoo, the title of the group's second album - and Lee isn't the only band member to support her campaign. She explains: "I went to see Duncan James when he was in the musical Legally Blonde and he said he'd love to help me out.
"A few days later he invited me to his dressing room to pose in RNID T-shirts."
And Haley, who is working on her campaigning full-time at the moment, has more big plans.
She says: "I am thinking of going to my old school, Hilbre High, and talking to the teachers and students, because there are many people who would love to know how to be aware.
"I'm also planning to email cinemas, hospitals and doctors to see if they can make a few little changes including hearing centres.
"I really want to make a difference for all of us around the world as we feel that the help and support we are getting now is not enough."
FOR Haley Sadler, watching her favourite TV shows has never been much fun.
The pretty 21-year-old, who has been almost completely deaf since birth, relies on subtitles to follow the action on screen.
But rather than simply accept her fate, Haley, from West Kirby, Merseyside, vowed to make sure the nine million deaf people in Britain were heard.
So she launched a Facebook page called "Hard of hearing/deaf people need more help and support".
And in just seven months it has more than 3,500 members from across the world.
She has raised the profile of deaf people, met her favourite pop star and been honoured by the country's leading deaf charity.
But it was her frustration at being viciously bullied at school, the ignorance and lack of TV subtitles that inspired her crusade.
She says: "I'd get excited when my favourite show was on the TV - Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place - but without any subtitles it was impossible for me to watch.
"After years of putting up with this, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
"In February I emailed channels requesting subtitles for my favourite American shows."
Unfortunately for Haley, the replies said they were unable to subtitle every show.
Haley explains: "But it made me think about ways to improve awareness of the deaf and hard of hearing, so I started my Facebook page.
"I've been told without it many members would still feel alone and lost. We all came together like a little family and talked about how we feel and how we want to change it.
"There are many people who feel scared to talk to doctors regarding how they feel about their hearing.
Friends
"My group was the best way for them to get it all out as it felt easy for them not having to see anybody in person to ask for help.
"I help them to build confidence and get them to accept who they are.
"We became friends and I'm always there for them if they need me."
Haley reveals she had a difficult time at the hands of school bullies.
She says: "The kids would think it was funny to switch off my hearing aid when they were sitting behind me during class. I'd get shoved, spat at, tripped over and have drinks thrown at my ears and hearing aid.
"I tried to stick up for myself, but found it difficult to deal with the amount of ignorance at school."
Her fantastic work in such a short time led to Haley being recognised by the RNID - the Royal National Institute for Deaf people - who made her an honorary member.
The charity also organised for Haley to meet her favourite singer, Lee Ryan from Blue, who now takes an active involvement in her group.
Haley explains: "Lee saw my deaf group and wrote on the wall, saying he would like to help me promote whatever I do and thought I was brave for standing up for myself.
Enjoys
"Since meeting him, we've stayed in contact and meet up sometimes to hang out - I've just come back from Manchester after celebrating my early 21st with Lee last weekend."
Despite her hearing difficulties, Haley still enjoys music, like most girls her age.
She says: "I love music but it takes me a while to hear and know the song - Blue have three albums and I'm still learning the lyrics!
"It's really hard as I have to read the lyrics over and over again while listening to the song to learn it.
"I love the new boyband The Wanted and it took me a whole month to learn the lyrics of their song All Time Low."
Her favourite band, in case you hadn't guessed, is Blue - she has a One Love tattoo, the title of the group's second album - and Lee isn't the only band member to support her campaign. She explains: "I went to see Duncan James when he was in the musical Legally Blonde and he said he'd love to help me out.
"A few days later he invited me to his dressing room to pose in RNID T-shirts."
And Haley, who is working on her campaigning full-time at the moment, has more big plans.
She says: "I am thinking of going to my old school, Hilbre High, and talking to the teachers and students, because there are many people who would love to know how to be aware.
"I'm also planning to email cinemas, hospitals and doctors to see if they can make a few little changes including hearing centres.
"I really want to make a difference for all of us around the world as we feel that the help and support we are getting now is not enough."