|
| Sarah Clark |
Like many dancers, Sarah Clark started her training at a young age. People who saw her perform knew they were seeing a tremendously talented young girl. But few of them realized they were witnessing a gifted dancer who just happened to be deaf.
Sarah was born profoundly deaf and struggled to learn dance. She worked hard to imitate the various movements of the other girls and memorize the routines. Despite the hard work, though, dancing gave her such pleasure that she came to consider the studio her second home.
“We could see where she would struggle because she couldn’t hear the music,” says her father, Richard Clark. “She kept with it and we were so proud of her.”
A serious tragedy occurred when Sarah was 16 years old, creating new challenges. She and her family were struck by a drunk driver. What little hearing Sarah had was destroyed by injuries from the accident. She was also told she would have to give up any strenuous activity, such as dancing.
“I had ear surgery right after I was hit by a drunk driver. When the doctor said I couldn’t dance I was very upset because dance was my life,” said Sarah.
Although it was difficult for Sarah to accept being completely deaf, she rallied and learned American Sign Language (ASL), which enabled her to perform in church. Relying on the written words and visual cues, Sarah was able to follow along. Her father sang and she signed.
Sarah’s life once again changed drastically in 1999 when she received a cochlear implant. Her father remembers hearing his daughter’s voice on the phone: “The first day [the CI] was turned on they gave her a phone and I was able to speak with her,” he said.
The implant enabled Sarah to hear sounds she never even knew existed. “Once we got out of the car and I asked my mother what was that awful sound I was hearing. It was the sound of crickets. I had never heard them before,” she recalled.
Eventually Sarah was able to dance again. In 2003, she joined the National Technical Institute for the Deaf Dance Company and performed around the country. She also became a certified dance teacher and now wants to use her talents to help others who have struggled as she has.
“My plans are to teach dance to physically and mentally challenged children as well as other children,” Sarah says. “I like the idea of having a mixed group because it will teach other dancers how to interact with dancers who are different. I believe dance can improve self-esteem and give each dancer a feeling of belonging.”
Last year Sarah realized another dream by meeting someone who has inspired her throughout her life: actress Marlee Matlin.
“It felt great to meet her because we both are actresses, dancers and performers,” Sarah says. “She is an inspiration to me and many of my friends who are deaf. I have her book, I’ll Scream Later, which she autographed for me.”
Just as Matlin has inspired Sarah Clark because of her perseverance and success in spite of her hearing loss, so Sarah will surely become a hero to younger dancers, who see in her an inspiring example of someone who has overcome numerous obstacles to realize her dream.
J. Michael Krivyanski is a freelance writer from Allison Park, Pa. Over the years his work has been seen in hundreds of publications including Entrepreneur, Smash Magazine and Presbyterians Today. He is also syndicated columnist with Continental News Service. Visit him at www.ReadMikeNow.com.
