My sister is profoundly deaf with Down syndrome and non-verbal. All her life, the burden has fallen on her to meet people more than halfway, accommodating those who don’t make an effort to understand her.
My younger sister’s name, Karuka, means “heavenly piece of art” in Sanskrit. For as long as I can remember, she has always been creating something. As a toddler, she used her hands to press imprints of paint on paper and mould castles of sand. Now, she uses those same hands to hold a camera and take photographs of the world around her. All this she does without making a sound. Karuka is profoundly deaf with Down syndrome and non-verbal.
We were delighted when it was named a finalist in the Focus on Ability Film Festival. I was nervous at the screening held last year in Sydney. Sitting beside my parents in the plush red cinema chairs, I was relieved when each film was met with cheers and enthusiastic applause. Seeing my film on the big screen and hearing the clapping, laughs and exclamations of joy throughout was incredible. I finally felt heard.