Birley, Dawn Jani

Born deaf at Regina, SK; mainstreamed in public schools through high school graduation in 1995. Earned a BA from Gallaudet University. Winner of many medals in Canadian and international martial arts competitions; hoped to compete in the 2000 Olympics after missing her chance in 1996. Unfortunately, health problems blocked that and she went to Norway to teach ASL and English and run extracurricular activities for a deaf school there.