Her world is quiet, but the KU soccer player's game speaks for itself
2:58 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2008
It's every college soccer players dream to hear the sounds on game day, like cheers from fans, on-field chatter and the fight song before the team takes the field.
But for one player on the University of Kansas' team, it is a much quieter game day experience.
"Well, I've been deaf since I was born, but I can hear. I have two hearing aids in both ears, and I can hear conversations going on behind me and stuff," KU soccer forward Emily Cressy said.
Cressy's disability has never held her back.
"In the beginning, it was hard with a disability. I couldn't hear anybody or anything, but now it's just really easy. I'm not deaf on the field. I am just a normal person," she said.
And though her world is quiet, her game speaks for itself.
The freshman is tied for the team lead in goals scored and is second in points.
"Yep, she's a goal scorer she has scored some goals for us she's done really well so far," Head Coach Mark Francis said.
You can assume communication on the field is difficult for someone who is hearing impaired, but the Jayhawks have figured out a system to get information from the bench to Cressy.
"I'll yell something to one of the other forwards or a midfielder who plays right behind her and when the ball out of bonds, they will relay that information to her," Francis said.
The Ventura, Calif. native, the first deaf student-athlete at Kansas, uses the university's interpreting services to also her help to talk to teammates and coaches.
But communicating is easy when you are so close with your fellow players.
"It's like a family; we are really close to each other, like best friends, like older sisters to me," Cressy said.
It's loud and clear. That family bond keeps Cressy pressing forward to overcome her obstacle and be a sound leader to guide KU to victory.
The Jayhawks are 8-4 on the season.
Read more about Cressy at news.ku.edu.
Coming soon, local, young television talent will shine on 49 News Kidcasts. Check back to see local kids, 4th through 8th grade, give the weather on TV.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)