Fi	Steve
I started to learn British Sign Language in 1994 following a car accident in which I lost 50% of my hearing. Being a lady who loves to communicate, and being aware that I may lose more of my hearing, I was determined to learn how to communicate in a different way. This way was BSL. Due to a continuous deterioration, I am now classed as severely deaf (estimated to be about 85%).	I also started to learn British Sign Language in 1994. My reasons for learning were not as tragic as Fi's. Basically BSL fascinated me. It gave me so much pleasure to observe it I simply wanted to know more. I do however suffer from a small hearing loss in one ear and experience difficulties hearing some tones/pitches. I also experience Tinitus.

We met each other in February 2002 and were delighted to find that we had the same ambitions; for as many people as possible to understand Deaf culture, to learn about deaf awareness and different tactics in which to communicate.

To gain a knowledge of British Sign Language will allow us all the
'Freedom to Communicate'