Hearing Impaired Athlete Changes Stereotypes

posted by Dirt-n-the skirt, a Women Talk Sports blogger
Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 3:50pm EST

About Dirt-n-the skirt:

I am a former collegiate softball player. I have coached at almost all levels of college softball. I enjoy spending time with my family, flag football, and writing on my free time. I am amazed daily b...more

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Kala playing Flag Football

The crack of the bat, the cheers from the crowd and the sound of bowling pins after a strike. These are all things that athletes love about sports.

But what if you have never heard those things? Kala Hargens has been hearing impaired since birth. She was born with profound hearing loss with an unknown cause. She grew up in a household with two younger brothers and where everyone could hear. The entire family supported Kala by learning to sign so they could communicate.

At the age of six Hargens started playing sports such as fast-pitch and bowling.Throughout high school, Kala enjoyed participating in basketball, track, and swimming. All of these sports require several different techniqes and skills. So, how did she learn at the pace of the other players? To find this answer you don't have to look any farther than her family. Her mother came to every practice and game to interpret for her throughout her high school years.

After graduation, Kala attendend Gallaudet University (school for the deaf) in Washington, DC. While she was there she joined the softball team. This turned out to be the biggest challenge she had yet to face. On her previous teams, Hargens was the only hearing imparied member, so when she called the ball, her teammates heard her and let her get it. At her college, routine pop-ups proved to be difficult, because to "call" the ball the players had to wave eachother off.

She currently plays on 2 flag football teams, 4 slow pitch softball, one disc golf, and two bowling leagues where she averages 180-192. She has the passion, work ethic, and dedication of a true athlete .

Technology has transformed Kala's interaction with her teammates. She use to communicate through paper and pen, her mom, gestures, or ASL. Now, she can just use her cell phone to communicate with her teammates. They can say a lot more through cell phones via notepad, email, or text messages.

When I asked Kala what the most challenging part of playing sports is she stated, "To prove to the team that I am capable of playing and I am good at what I do. Sometimes they have doubt in me because of my deafness, but I do not allow that to stop me from playing. I can do anything but hear. "

If you're like me and feel quite lazy compared to Kala after hearing what her week is like. I haven't even mentioned what she is going to school for! She is currently working towards a Paralegal degree so she can get into the law field. "My goal is to help the deaf community become more familiar with the law and their rights as a deaf individual or community."

Kala has proven to everyone that anything they can do, she can do better!

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Filed Under:

This article was written by a WomenTalkSports.com contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own women's sports content.

View Dirt-n-the skirt's Full Profile

No one has commented on this yet. Be the first!

SIGNUP FOR A WOMEN TALK SPORTS ACCOUNT:

A Women Talk Sports account allows you to maintain a profile at www.womentalksports.com and login to comment on posts using your WTS identity.

Fields marked with a * are required.

Your First Name*:

Your Last Name*:

Your E-mail*:

Your Website:

Your Location:

Your Twitter Username:

Create a WTS Username*:

Create a Password*:

Confirm Password*:

Check here to receive bi-weekly emails from Women Talk Sports and partners highlighting discussions on our site and upcoming women's sporting events, as well as informing you of new products, services and special offers.

I accept the Terms & Conditions for joining Women Talk Sports

MORE ABOUT THIS AUTHOR:

Dirt-n-the skirt

I am a former collegiate softball player. I have coached at almost all levels of college softball. I enjoy spending time with my family, flag football...
full profile

Women's College World Series Softball

Military Heroes vs. Softball All-Stars

Hearing Impaired Athlete Changes Stereotypes

Softball Gold Medalists and Hall of Famers Team Up for National Coaches Clinic Series

Women's Professional Football Tryouts!

Cat Osterman and Lindsay Gardner Unite To Coach Hilltoppers

The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Reunion

U.S.A. Softball: Wins Their 8th Gold Medal at Pan American Games!

For more, visit Dirt-n-the skirt's Full Profile