🌼 Chairperson’s Message: DeafBlind Awareness Week 2025
From the Desk of the Chair Lady – DeafBlind South Africa
Dear friends,
Each year, as we enter DeafBlind Awareness Week, we pause to reflect on a truth that connects us all — that no matter our challenges, we each have the power to choose courage.
This week is a time to honour the DeafBlind community and to raise awareness of the unique ways in which DeafBlind people live, communicate, and contribute. But it is also a moment to reflect on what it means to be human — to grow, to connect, and to move forward with purpose, even when the path isn’t clear.
We remember Helen Keller, whose birthday we mark on June 27th. She was not just a remarkable DeafBlind woman, but a reminder to the world of what is possible when support and courage walk together. She once said:
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
These words speak deeply to the journey we all take — DeafBlind or not. Each of us is faced with choices: to remain still or to take one brave step forward. We may not always know where the road leads, but the choice to begin is what shapes our lives.
This week, we celebrate those brave beginnings. We’ll share stories, tools, and ideas that show how DeafBlind individuals move through the world — not just surviving, but leading, creating, loving, and living fully.
To everyone reading this — whether you are DeafBlind, a parent, a young learner, a carer, or a friend — may this week remind you that your courage matters. Your choices matter. And your story belongs here.
With warmth and respect,
Tracy Smith
Chairperson, DeafBlind South Africa