Deaf help call

By Danielle Galvin
THE commute to Melbourne from Officer for 15-year-old Ebony Gilbert is tiring and time consuming.
But for the profoundly deaf young woman, it’s the place where she can interact with her friends and fit in.
Living in Officer can be isolating for the teen.
Each day she travels to Melbourne to go to school at the Victorian College for the Deaf (VCD).
“She went to playgroup, kindergarten and school reasonably close by. We always wanted her to be in touch with the deaf community,” Ebony’s mum Gill Gilbert said.
Gill wants to start a friendship group for others in the Cardinia Shire.
“I want to start up a deaf friends group in the region to help my daughter meet and be involved with other deaf families.”
She’s hoping that the group can come together regularly to be an information source for the deaf community living in the shire.
“People might not know where there are shop assistants, waitresses, hairdressers, childcare workers and teachers who can communicate in sign language to help the deaf people access the everyday activities we enjoy so much with ease,” she said.
Most of Ebony’s friends live all over Melbourne.
“Some are from Hoppers Crossing and others from all over the place. Some of the kids are older too so they just hop on the train, but I’m not comfortable with letting Ebony do that,” she said.
For Ebony, feelings of isolation are common.
“She goes to the local footy games and she says to me that she’s the only deaf one there. If we had a group going maybe she could go with a couple of friends,” Gill said.
With the population in the shire on the rise, Gill believes the need for a friendship group is growing.
“Surely there are deaf people moving into the shire who would be interested in a group like this,” she said.
Shanikas @ Viale in Lakeside is supporting Gill’s call for a deaf friendship group, offering their services as the host venue.
Anyone wanting to get involved with the group can contact Gill by email on deaffriends@aanet.com.au