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Pitrois, Yvonne

ID
2208
Nationality
French
Occupation
Author
Summary
Born in Paris; deafened at age 7 by severe sunstroke. Home schooled by her mother. Began publishing stories in France and Switzerland at age 17; wrote many articles and stories for journals; began La Petite Silencieuse, a magazine for deaf girls, and Le Rayon de Soleil des Sourds-Aveugles, a magazine in French Braille for deaf-blind persons. Books included Jeunes Vies, Cherie, and Ombres des Femmes. She helped greatly in World War I relief efforts for deaf persons.
References
Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences, p.291-294; Gallaudet Encyclopedia, vol.2, p.294-295; Notable Deaf Persons, p.197-200; Peeps into the Deaf World, p.347-348; Deaf Women, p.132-133.
Dates
14 December 1880-23 April 1937

Shaw, Kathleen Trousdell

ID
3903
Nationality
Irish
British
Occupation
Sculptor
Artist
Deaf-blind
Summary
Born in London to Irish parents; deafness discovered in 1870 after an illness, becoming progressively worse until totally deaf in her mid-teens. Interest in sculpture was sparked by watching stonemasons working on tombs in a churchyard, and she attended the Dublin School of Art beginning age 10. Her talent won her medals and prizes, then she was sent to Paris to study at the Ecole des Beux Arts. After a brief time of more study in Rome, worked for a time in the British Museum before setting up her own studio in Knutsford, Cheshire, though she frequently travelled back and forth from Ireland for commissions there. Member of the Royal Hibernian Academy, first woman sculptor to be made member of any Royal Academy in the British Isles. Retired to Cadmore End after World War I with failing eyesight; her last work was the design and execution of a marble, silver and bronze memorial font as a war memorial in Cdmore End parish church; the font is still there. Totally blind for the last 30-plus years of her life, relying on tactile communication; died at home in Cadmore End.
References
Deaf Lives, p.166.
Dates
1865-1958

Axelrod, Cyril

ID
0135
Nationality
South African
Occupation
Deaf-blind
Catholic priest
Clergy (Catholic)
Religion
School founder
Summary
Born deaf; Usher's Syndrome was diagnosed in his 30s, leading to his progressive complete blindness. Also born Orthodox Jewish (original name Sheftil ben Avram Abba). Attended St. Vincent's School for the Deaf 1945-1961. Converted to Roman Catholicism at age 20. Studied accountancy part-time 1962-1965, becoming a certified bookkeeper, but decided to enter the priesthood instead. Studied at Gallaudet College 1965-1966 and Catholic University in the U.S. also 1965-1966 before returning to South Africa to complete his religious studies 1967-1970. Self-claimed to be the first deaf-blind man ordained a Catholic priest, in 1970; active in efforts to evangelize the deaf of South Africa, 1971-1988. Founded a school and other organizations for Black deaf people in Soweto, South Africa. Assigned to missionary work among the deaf in Macao (China) 1988-2000; founded a social service center and more associations of the deaf in Macao; also established the Philippine Federation of the Deaf in 1998. Beginning 2001, was pastoral development coordinator for Deafblind UK in Peterborough, England. Recipient of several awards, including an honorary doctorate from Gallaudet University in 2001.
References
Contact, March/April 1982, p.5.
Dates
24 February 1942-

Walsh, John P.

ID
2925
Nationality
American
Occupation
Deaf-blind
Summary
Born at Evansville, IN; became blind at age 8 from illness. A doctor restored his eyesight at age 11, but warned that he would become blind again, as indeed happened several years later. In 1886, lost his hearing from a cold and "paralysis of the eardrums". Entered the Indiana School for the Deaf that year and graduated. In 1889, went to Gallaudet College at age 16, leaving in 1892 to go to work in an electro-plating factory. Deteriorating eyesight forced him to give up employment soon after that.
References
Representative Deaf Persons [second edition], p.63-64.
Dates
2 September 1873-?

Caissie, Mary Lou Clawson

ID
3439
Nationality
Canadian
Occupation
Book repairer
Deaf-blind
Activist
Summary
Born deaf at Antigonish, NS; also had visual impairment, which became total at age 20. Attended day classes for the deaf in Halifax public schools, then brielfy the Interprovincial School for the Deaf and the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf. Worked for a while as a flower arranger, then as her vision worsened, took a training program for blind persons and explored various careers before becoming a mender of books at the library of Dalhousie University. In 1987, married Kenneth Cassie, also deaf and with Usher Syndrome. Active in local and regional deaf and blind organizations and winner of several awards.
References
Deaf Women of Canada, p.38-39.
Dates
1958-

Marsh, Eva Gertrude

ID
1826
Nationality
English
British
Occupation
Deaf-blind
Summary
Born at Wingham Well, Kent. She was supposed to have been admitted to the Birmingham Institution for the Deaf and Dumb in 1905, but apparently was rejected due to her blindness. Nothing else is known about her.
References
Touch, Touch, and Touch Again, p.33.
Dates
March 21, 1893-?

Bradley, Mary

ID
0342
Nationality
English
British
Occupation
Deaf-blind
Summary
Abandoned at approximately age 4 in a damp cellar while suffering from some virus, she lost her sight and hearing at that time. Placed in a "workhouse", she became the object of interest of Andrew Patterson, who was inspired by the example of Laura Bridgman (q.v.) to attempt educating Bradley. She stayed in the institution for the rest of her life.
References
Touch, Touch, and Touch Again, p.48-54.
Dates
1839?-1866

Roberts, Chester H.

ID
2338
Nationality
American
Occupation
Broom maker
Summary
Deaf-blind. After attending the Perkins School for the Blind, was employed in the broom shop of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
References
The Deaf Way, p.498.
Dates
1898-?

MacDonald, Annie

ID
1773
Nationality
Scottish
British
Occupation
Deaf-blind
Summary
Deaf at first, lost her sight while in a school for the deaf. Attempts were made to place her in another school that could cope with her deaf-blindness, but it is not know if they succeeded.
References
Touch, Touch, and Touch Again, p.78.
Dates
fl. 1904

Haguewood, Linnie

ID
1237
Nationality
British?
Occupation
Deaf-blind
Summary
Deaf and blind at 18 months from scarlet fever; no education attempted until age 14, when a dedicated teacher, Dora Donald, undertook private work with her. The girl succeeded in learning reading and writing.
References
Peeps into the Deaf World, p.275-276.
Dates
fl. 1915