David 

Background Information

I come from a hearing family and I’m the only one who is deaf. I had oral education until I was 11 years old and then attended a school for the deaf. I studied Art and Design after the school.

​

How did you come to choose to work alongside the Deaf/Deafblind?

I had been unhappy in my work for along time and a friend told me about his job working with Deaf/blind people.

It sounded really interesting and the more I thought about it the more I wanted to change my job. I have always enjoyed going to deaf club and like to chat to and get to know anyone new. I felt I wanted to do a job helping people.

​

Hobbies and Interests

Model making, computer games, baking and exercising.

​

What relevant qualifications do you possess?

I am profoundly deaf and although I had an oral education my wife and a lot of friends only use BSL, so I have been signing since I was 11 years old.
I have excellent computer skills and a degree in Art and Design.

BSL Level 6

Level 2 Communicating and Guiding Deafblind people

​

Preferred method(s) of communication

I prefer to use BSL and SSE but I can lip-read during face to face conversation.

​

Training

Careskills training online courses.

​

What’s your favourite colour?

Orange.

​

Tell me an interesting story:

I have enjoyed baking since I was a child and progressed to cake decoration. I was advised to enter a competition for cupcakes using a theme in 1980's so I chose The Gremlins. I spent hours on the decoration and was really pleased with the results. But unfortunately the butter cream decoration moved during in transport and arrived not quite perfect. So I only took third place, but all the other competitors thought I should have won as my cakes were so different.

 

My favourite thing is:

Days out with my family and visiting friends.

​

I don't like: 

Unfairness.

​

What frightens you?

​I never like the look or smell of baked beans. I also don't like big spiders but I was happy to hold a hairy tarantula spider.

​

Do you like Marmite?

Yes I do, but only spread thinly.

​

Do you keep ketchup in the fridge or cupboard?

Once the bottle is opened I keep ketchup in the fridge.

​