Once upon a time, along with a mate, I asked a dance instructor to teach me the routine to Beyoncé’s Single Ladies — we planned to surprise our best friend with an impromptu drag show at his 30th birthday party. The lesson ended about 40 minutes in, with both of us realising we weren’t quite cut out to be Destiny’s Children. The idea of moving my body in a synchronised routine to one of the most iconic songs of the 21st century seemed beyond me.
So, when it was announced that Nyle DiMarco — the deaf winner of America’s Next Top Model in 2015 – was to participate in Dancing with the Stars, one of the USA’s most popular entertainment shows, I admit even I wondered how does that work? How does a deaf person perform in a music-based dance show? It was utterly inspiring when Nyle not only went on to surprise everyone with his skill, but to win the series. It highlights how the hearing world regards those with hearing loss as not capable of living full and successful lives; being disabled does not mean being un-abled.