Emily's end-to-end motorbike challenge to inspire deaf children
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AN inspirational deaf woman has completed a motorcycling trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats to show deaf children “anything is possible”.
Emily Karran (30), from London, finished the 860-mile Ride for Life last Wednesday after more than four days in the saddle.
She was delighted to reach her destination, although fog and rain meant she didn't see the Caithness scenery at its best.
“I had lots of issues along the way," Emily said. "I started at Land’s End on the Saturday and I arrived at John O'Groats on the morning of Wednesday the 10th. I was meant to arrive there on the ninth, but the rain and fog was really bad so I had to end early for safety reasons, and finish the journey to John O'Groats the next day.”
The IT worker clocked up around 200 miles each day in a bid to raise money for national charity Auditory Verbal UK. It helps deaf children learn, listen and speak through specialist Auditory Verbal Therapy.
Emily was diagnosed as deaf before her first birthday and used hearing aids on both ears for 26 years before being fitted with a cochlear implant in her left ear in 2015.
Despite her deafness, Emily’s mum encouraged her to listen and talk.
I wanted to show deaf children what they could potentially achieve and how far in life they could go.
Emily explained: “Growing up, my mother went against the grain and encouraged me to communicate verbally. Looking back, I can't thank her enough – communicating verbally has opened many doors for me professionally as well as personally.
“She constantly spoke out loud to encourage to me to communicate back and say my first words, which were 'oh dear'.
“I ride motorbikes, lead a team, talk on the phone, listen to the radio and music. You wouldn’t have known I’m deaf.”
Emily will use her challenge to show deaf children that they can “achieve anything”.
She added: “I want to raise awareness and enable deaf children to grow alongside their hearing peers. I believe it’s important that deaf children are equipped with the tools to communicate effectively as I know first-hand that it will vastly increase their confidence to pursue opportunities and increase their potential to do so much more.
“As a deaf person who verbally communicates, I wanted to show deaf children what they could potentially achieve and how far in life they could go.
“I have achieved a lot and broken many barriers. I ride a motorbike, I've travelled far in my career path, I have lots of hearing as well as deaf friends. As a deaf person, they can have it all.”
Click here to support Emily’s Ride for Life fundraising effort.
