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8 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, June 17, 1997 Earning an equal place for the deaf By STEVE LeBLANC Special to The Champion Heather Gibson doesn't mind being called deaf, in fact she con- siders the word rather positive. Born without the ability to hear, the 37-year-old has undertaken a lifelong mission to improve the education of the deaf. Her efforts were recently recognized by the Canadian Hearing Society, which inducted her into its Hall of Heroes as part of cer- emonies surrounding May, Hearing Awareness Month. Enlisted by local educators in 1990, Ms Gibson came to Milton from Manitoba and began establishing what she calls a "bilingual and bicultural" program at E.C. Drury School for the Deaf. "I'm very proud of this school," said Ms Gibson, with the help of an interpreter. She is now the vice-principal at E.C. Drury. "We've taken a holistic approach in Milton, with success credited to many outside sources as well as the staff. "One of the ways we've tried to improve deaf education is through more contact with the outside world. Computer advance- ments, specifically E-mail and the Internet, have helped out tremendously in this capacity." The local instructor remembers a time when access to informa- tion - and parts of the world at large - were essentially closed off'to those who couldn't hear. Growing up she said people would try to "make her into a hear- ing person", demanding she mold herself to suit their lifestyle. It was only later on that she, her sister Shawna and her brother James realized it was alright to be deaf. "It was an awful label, but that's what we were. Now I consider the word deaf to be positive because we have our own fan- guage and our own culture," she said. Even upon entering Western University in Maryland years later, Ms Gibson still experienced roadblocks. Enrolled in a prin- Heather Gibson cipal's course, she found it extremely diffi- cuit to book interpreters and was told she would have to pay for their services herself. Her frustration over this quickly grew into inspiration, and she finally convinced the university that if they wanted skilled deaf people at their school they'd have to take more financial responsi- bility. The doors continued to open when she upgraded her pon- folio through an ASL course - at a time when the language was first coming into widespread use. It was in this environment that Ms Gibson was further convinced deaf students could enjoy the same learning opportunities as their hearing counterparts. "Our main goal at the school is to get the students' ASL skills up to par as much as their English reading ability. t want them to be fluent in both languages so they're able to fully socialize in society and get a good job like a lawyer or doctor." Teachers at E.C. Drury draw on successful deaf Canadians to inspire students, which is part of what Ms Gibson says makes the school "bicultural". This also helps raise self-esteem - some- thing that is still often lacking in young deaf children. She also credits the support of E.C. Drury's parents as well as organizations like the Ontario Association of the Deaf, which has demanded better education for the deaf and hard of hearing. And while there are still improvements to be made in deaf education and the way deaf people are looked at in society, Ms Gibson says the solution is simply through continued education. r FY Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Joyce Hayward of the Song Spinners Choral Club has been recognized for her years of devotion to music. She is honoured for gift of song By KAREN SMITH The Champion A woman who has spent much of her life giving the gift of song is Milton's 1997 Senior Citizen of the Year. Joyce Hayward, director of the Song Spinners Choral Club, was granted the title by the Town of Milton. "I appreciate the honour. I certainly feel good about it," said the 67-year-old Ridge Drive resident. Ms Hayward was nominate'd by two members of the Milton Seniors' Activity Centre, where the Song Spinners choir began. The Town of Milton's co-ordinator of older adults, Joy Anderson, chose Ms Hayward among six nominees for the award created by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. Ms Anderson noted that Ms Hayward plays the piano and organ in schools and churches as well as volunteers her time with the choir. Many centre members expressed desire to have a choir, Ms Anderson said, and Ms Hayward agreed to take the helm. The 30- member chorus performs Broadway music and folk songs at the centre as well as at many other community functions. While the long-time Miltonian has an extensive background in music, these days she's focusing on teaching and the choir. She previously directed the Mayfield United Church choir near Brampton and was a member of the Haltones, a former Milton community chorus. She's also a former member of the St. Paul's United Church choir. She annually plays background music at the seniors' centre fashion show and was a volunteer with the Milton District Hospital Auxiliary. Professionally, she was an accompanist for the Georgetown Choral Society and sub-organist at St. Paul's. Working hard to keep Milton's legacy By STEVE LeBLANC Special to The Champion A group that has devoted more than two decades to uncovering Milton's past will recognize its own history Thursday evening. Members of the Milton Historical Society - both past and pre- sent - will celebrate its 20th anniversary ai Victoria Park between 7 and 9 p.m. While local historians are clearly looking forward to the evening, they'll probably spend more time looking back once cer- emonies begin. The Milton Historical Society was founded by three long-time Miltonians, but born from one common desire for insight into the community's past. Then chief librarian Sheilagh Conway sought information for her patrons while school inspector Len McNeil recognized a lack of education surrounding Milton's history. Former Canadian Champion publisher Jim Dills meanwhile, kept running into a "blank wall" when writing feature articles on the town's past. "You could say the Milton Historical Society began through a convergence of interests," said Mr. Dills. Adds Ms Conway, "I was horrified to sec the complete lack of information about this town's past. Before we got started, I found only one book in the library and that's about all there was." Ms Conway's pull at the library, Mr. McNeil points out, is what Founding members of the Milton Historical Society (1-r) Sheilagh Conway, Len McNeil and Jim Dills helped cele- brate the beginning of its third decade recently. helped the Milton Historical Society through its infancy. During a recent interview with ail three founding members - which allowed time for pleasant reflection - he said the old Main Street library offered the group a monthly meeting venue at no charge. A public meeting to consider a historical society's formation • see CHARTING on page 14 OPENING FOR BUSINESS THURSDAY JUNE 19 lWith Domenic tears, any special occasion from 10 - 1,000 he will offer j~,jIIii~ ff.~j10% OFF your dining or catering. Mama Domenic in ltaly, invites ail of you, poor or rich to participate in {}/ g Ythe challenge. He can cook the way il used to be. Chef Domenic Advises, please make a reservation to avoid the lineup. 550 Ontario St. S. 876-0499 (As we ail know this is Little Italy in Milton) Thank You. THE MILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE