[dbaust] FW: Story about Father Axelrod
- From: "Di Hartman" <diandjon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <dbaust@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:17:29 +1100
This article was in October VicDeaf newsletter
Article by Michael Parremore
Father Cyril Axelrod CSSR is a Deafblind Catholic priest. He is
the only recorded Deafblind priest in history. He is an author
and has written a book titled, 'And the journey begins'. He was
born in South Africa to Orthodox Jewish parents but now lives
in London.
Fr. Axelrod came to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and gave
a series of lectures, workshops and Mass services at the
Ephpheta Centre in Sydney, John Pierce Centre in Melbourne
and Emmanuel Centre in Perth before flying to South Africa.
On Thursday 16 August 2012 at John Pierce Centre, Fr. Axelrod
gave a public lecture and talked about his journey through life
and the many challenges he faced. Fr. Axelrod was born Deaf
in 1942 and in 1979, he was diagnosed with Usher's Syndrome
and began to lose his sight. By 2001, he was fully Deafblind.
During the early years of his adult life, one day at Mass he
noticed some Deaf parishioners were missing out what the
priest was saying. "That was when I decided to become
a priest," he said. He wanted to become a rabbi but was
rejected due to his deafness. At the age of 23, he converted to
Catholicism. lt was a difficult time in his life as his mother and
the Jewish Deaf community refused to support his conversion
to Catholicism. Fr. Axelrod moved to America to study
Philosophy and Psychology. When he returned to South Africa,
he studied at St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria for four
years to become a priest. Upon completion of his studies, he
reconciled with his mother and was ordained in 1970.
Fr. Axelrod began his ministry in South Africa with Deaf and
Deafblind people who use over eight different sign languages.
At a time when mixing races was not allowed, he helped
to establish a school for black and white Deaf children in
Soweto, a hostel for Deaf homeless people in Pretoria, and an
employment centre in Cape Town.
ln 1988 with his eyesight deteriorating, Fr. Axelrod travelled to
Macau, where he set up many projects including a centre for
Deaf children, the Macau Deaf Association, and a Deaf social
service centre.
ln 2000, Fr. Axelrod moved to the United Kingdom to learn
new skills to help him prepare for life without sight. By
about 2001 he had lost all his vision. Describing himself as a
"modern-day hermit", Fr. Axelrod has his own flat and lives
independently. He does his own cooking and housework.
Braille on his phone, computer and doorbell enable him to
communicate with the world. Personal assistants whom he
calls his 'angels' act as interpreters and guides. Fr. Axelrod
enjoys studying and reading. He goes to the gym and does Tai
Chi. He is also a qualified masseur.
He is now based atthe parish of Our Lady of Hal in Camden
Town which is north of London. Fr. Axelrod runs Westminster
Diocese of Deaf and Deafblind Services where he works to
develop awareness among sighted and hearing people, and
develop an outreach service for Deaf and Deafblind people
and to help integrate them more into the community.
Fr. Axelrod also travels the world visiting Deaf communities
and encourages others to follow his path. He has spoken in
many forums such as World Federation of the Deaf (WFD),
the United Nations Congress (UN) and to the Pope and the
Vatican. Fr. Axelrods message of equality is for all people no
matter what their race or belief.
He recently wrote, "The fear of the unknown can easily lead
to losing faith or clinging to shyness. Jesus used the same
phrase thirty-two times in the Gospel: 'Don't be afraid'. lt is
the matter of faith which strengthens one's confidence and
trust to know what is uhknown. For example, it is quite natural
to feel overwhelmed when not being able to understand what
Deafblindness means or not knowing how to communicate
with a Deafblind person. To approach and ask him or herto
teach you the way of communication will melt the fear of the
unknown or the shyness of meeting and talking to him or her.
My message is to open hope and faith ihat Deafblind people
receive God's message through the kindness of sighted
people and that they learn to enjoy the gift of communication
with them."
Fr. Axelrod's book 'And the journey begins',
can be ordered for $20 via the John Pierce
Centre. For a copy of his book, please email
Gail Finn on g.finn@xxxxxxxxxx
....................................................
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