South Africa 2024

ENGLAND DEAF RUGBY UNION

Hi I’m Zoe,

I’ve been thinking about how to post this for a while to be honest. Ever since I was a child, I struggled with my hearing. Failing hearing tests as a new born, followed by constant ear infections as a child and into adulthood. As covid came around, I found myself struggling more and more to hear people and I just didn’t know why. Turns out, face masks took away my ability to lip read. I was sent to ENT and discharged immediately due to the consultant believing I had mental health problems. Lo and behold, a moment of self doubt and a lot of hard work and persistence to be referred back for another opinion.

Turns out that I had significant hearing loss in both ears leaving me reliant on lip reading. The decision was made to wear hearing aids to try and help my day to day life.

Fast track 2 years, I have been given the incredible opportunity to represent England Deaf Rugby. I am due to gain my first cap in April 2024 against Wales, but not only this for a test match series in August 2024, in South Africa! But before I can live this dream; all players need to raise £2200 to cover costs for flights, accommodation and kit.

Being given this opportunity and absolute honour to not only pull on that shirt will be an absolute dream, but to also be able to represent the deaf community means a lot to me.

Any donation to this, no matter how big or small means that I will be one step closer to my dream, and I will forever be grateful.

All the love in the world,

Zoe