2024年2月29日、憧れの場所であるギャローデット大学にて、講演を行う機会をいただきました。
2023年7月、韓国・チェジュ島で行われた世界ろう者会議に出席した際に、ギャローデット大学のロベルタ・コダーノ学長をはじめとする、大学関係者の方々とお会いする機会に恵まれました。このご縁がきっかけとなり、今回の講演会が実現しました。
弊社YUMIEの生い立ち、海との出会い、プロボディーボーダーになるまでの道のり、自立できるまでの苦悩と屈辱、今現在の活動についてお話しをさせていただきました。
参加くださった方の99%はデフの大学関係者と学生、残り1%はコーダの学生と聴覚障がいを持たない大学関係者でした。それぞれの生まれ育った国や環境は違っても、デフという共通点を持つ人達、デフの世界と深く関わっている人達に囲まれて行う異国での講演会はYUMIEにとって、とても心地の良い経験となりました。
YUMIEは「海は誰にでも平等である差別の無い世界」であることに気付き、プロボディーボーダーになって挑戦し続けました。今は、「聞こえる人も聞こえない人も共に手を繋ぎ平等に活躍する社会」を目指して、日々挑戦しています。YUMIEの熱い思いを語る場所を提供してくださり、講演終了までサポートをしてくださったギャローデット大学の皆様、そしてYUMIEの話に耳を傾けてくださった皆様、本当にありがとうございました。
On February 29, 2024, YUMIE was given the opportunity to speak at Gallaudet University, a place she has always dreamed of visiting.
In July 2023, when she attended the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in Cheju, Korea, she had the opportunity to meet with Roberta Cordano, President of Gallaudet University, and other staff from the university. This connection led to this lecture.
She talked about her upbringing, her encounter with the ocean, her bumpy road to becoming a professional bodyboarder, the pain and humiliation she went through until she was able to become independent, and her current activities.
99% of the participants were Deaf university students and faculty, and the remaining 1% were Coda students and non-deaf university faculty. Even though they were born and raised in different countries and in different environments, it was a very comfortable experience for YUMIE to give a lecture in a foreign country surrounded by people who are Deaf and are deeply involved in the world of Deaf people.
YUMIE realized that “the ocean is a world without discrimination where everyone is equal,” and she continued to challenge herself as a professional bodyboarder. Now, she is trying every day to create “a society where people who can hear and those who cannot hear can join hands together and play an equal role.” We want to express our gratitude to Gallaudet University for providing a place for YUMIE to share her passion and for supporting her until the end of her lecture. Also We want to thank everyone who listened to her story. Thank you very much.
