Hearing loss didn’t stop these glass ceiling breakers from continuing to pursue their dreams. They have shared their stories on how they have fought for a life without limitations for themselves and all those living with hearing loss.
Circus Artist
Swiss native Jason Brugger, a circus artist says “When I’m up there in the air, I am in my own world.” Brugger had been working towards his dream of becoming a circus artist since he was a child until he hit an obstacle. Jason experienced sudden hearing loss from a severe inner ear infection. He was advised by his doctors to find a new path because along with hearing loss comes real difficulties with your balance, a crucial part to Jason’s craft of circus artistry. These setbacks did not stop Jason. After being fitted for hearing aids, Jason credits his achievements, one of them being winning the fourth season of “Switzerland’s Got Talent” to his hearing aids. “I can still remember putting on my hearing aids for the first time. A whole world opened up to me again.” Jason Brugger
TV and Film Industry
At the age of two, Megan Swanson, now 28 years old was diagnosed with a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, her parents were told she would never speak, sing or dance. With the amazing support of her parents Megan learned to speak, read, graduated from college and followed her dreams of making a career in the film industry and moved to Los Angeles. Megan won California Miss Amazing 2017, worked on the set of the hit reality TV show “Dance Moms” and has gone on to star in the Netflix show ‘Nailed It’. “My whole life I’ve been told I can’t do that, I can’t do that. But pretty much everything that people told me I couldn’t do, I did- did it anyway.” Megan Swanson
White House Receptionist
Leah Katz-Hernandez was a former White House intern, volunteered for President Obama’s re-election campaign, and then landed herself a job at the desk just outside of the Oval Office as the White House receptionist during the Obama Administration, Leah was also born deaf. The white house provided Leah with a interpreter while she is at work in the White House. “It is a great responsibility to be here as a deaf person and I feel very proud of the opportunities that have been given to me. It’s a fantastic opportunity and also to show that deaf people can do anything.” Leah said through an interpreter, who was provided for her by the White House.
