It is commonly believed that a hero is a person who is looked up to by a person of a younger age. This is not the case with my hero. My hero is my daughter, who is a giver of immeasurable heart, time, and compassion. Her story is one definition of sacrifice – and it is certainly worthy of your time and understanding.
My daughter’s name is Michelle Christie. Michelle left high school to become an actress. After five years, however, she felt the need to do more. She went on to college for four years of undergraduate work and earned a Masters in special education for the hearing impaired. For approximately two years after graduating, Michelle taught hearing impaired students – but she continued to search for a different way to use her unique background to help her deaf children.
Eventually, Michelle came up with an idea that combined both her acting skills and her teaching skills. She created No Limits, a non-profit organization that gives deaf children who are learning to speak an opportunity to participate in the dramatic arts. No Limits meets the auditory, speech and language needs of deaf children and enhances their confidence through the theatrical arts and individual speech therapy. It also provides parent education and raises community awareness about the needs and talents of oral deaf children.
No Limits is the only theater group in the United States for deaf children who are learning to speak. In just 7 years, 27 productions have been produced nationwide, with over 18,000 people witnessing the awe-inspiring talents of deaf children who are learning to speak.
Michelle created this organization to help mainstream deaf children into our world. Her plays are skillfully created to integrate the children’s speech goals into the plays. Michelle always stresses that there are no limits to her children’s abilities. Today, "I can do it!" is the underlying philosophy of the organization.
Michelle began No Limits in her small apartment, putting all expenses on her credit card, and working 24/7. Now she has acquired the support of various contributors and has expanded her program for presentation across the country. In Los Angeles, her organization sponsors after school programs that provide free services for the many underprivileged children in the area – some of whom come from families too poor to provide batteries for their hearing aids.
Michelle is a hero to so many people, but especially to me, her dad.
For more information about No Limits, visit http://www.nolimitsspeaksout.com.
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