NOT JUST ANYONE
Film
Jodie Ounsley was born deaf. She was told she would never play rugby
due to her hearing disability. She is now the first deaf female to make the
international squad for England. As a baby, Jodie was fitted with a Cochlear
implant to help interpret sounds and tune into conversations. The
processor captures signals and sends them to a receiver implanted under
Jodie’s skin behind her ear. The receiver delivers signals to electrodes
implanted in the cochlea which stimulate the auditory nerve, directing
them to the brain. This device however does not restore normal hearing.
What Jodie hears is very different to what an able ear would hear. It takes
a long time to learn to interpret sounds after cochlear implantation. As a
child, Jodie was told to avoid contact sports because of the high risk of
damage this may cause to her hearing. She was told she would never be
able to play team sports. After many conversations with her parents,
Jodie’s passion for sports and endurance outweighed the risk. From
becoming a British Brazilian Jui Jitsu Champion in 2012, she then ran for
Great Britain at Deaflympics 2017. This led her into the sport of rugby
where, through tireless perseverance, Jodie became the first ever deaf
female to make the international squad for England. She was awarded
Deaf Sports Personality of the Year 2020. Being born deaf can be seen as
a disability, but for Jodie it has helped shape who she is today. NJA will act
as a platform to inspire, motivate and connect people who are also facing
challenges in their lives. Please help support Jodie’s movement and share
your stories through @_notjustanyone.
A film by Craig Bingham
Talent - Jodie Ounsley
Charity - NJA
Production - Dadbod films
Exec Producer - Robert Wildsmith
Colour - Toby Tomkins / CHEAT
Original Score - Gus Collins / House Of Noise
Sound Design - Aaron Taffel / Rascal Post @
@slvstudios