Cancer survivor gears up to conquer Mount Kili
A mother of three is on a mission to create awareness and raise funds for Talk Sign through her adventurous initiative.
FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Norma Millar is on a mission: to embark on a hike up the highest mountain in Africa to create awareness and raise funds for Talk Sign.
The Everton mother of three was born to deaf parents and, while growing up, she developed a close relationship with people suffering from hearing impairments.
The ambitious full-time mother, who is now a qualified hearing aid acoustician, said, “Two months after I graduated, I was diagnosed with tongue cancer. I had to undergo surgery last year, where they removed part of my tongue and several nodes in my neck. During my recuperation, I was fortunate that I could use sign language to communicate with my parents and make myself understood, even though I could not talk. Communicating with others was more difficult and quite frustrating. This highlighted (even though I have always been very aware of) the difficulties faced by deaf people, trying to communicate with those who cannot sign or understand them.”
Millar, who is determined to start her career after the climb, said, “I decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro at the beginning of last year, and convinced my best friend, Sam, to join me. We have been friends for 25 years and she is my soul friend. On the day I went into hospital, we both geared up in our Kili jackets and I went to hospital in my climbing boots. It was our way of saying that we would get through it and still be well enough to climb. We figured if we could conquer that, we can conquer the mountain.”
The duo will start their climb up the highest free-standing mountain in the world on 6 February. They have climbed the Drakensberg, Kamberg, Sentinel Peak and Sani in preparation for this climb, and their training routine includes lots of walking, squats and lunges. Funds raised through this admirable initiative will be donated to Talk Sign, which was launched by the KZN Blind and Deaf Society in 2014 to encourage South Africans to learn sign language. This project is also aimed at raising money through fundraising initiatives to educate and find employment for people who are deaf or have hearing impairments.
Inspired by her independent, strong and successful parents, Millar, who enjoys sewing, reading and yoga, added, “My parents have never let the fact that they are deaf stand in their way, or used that as an excuse for anything. They provided for me growing up in every way possible, and have always been amazing role models. I am immeasurably proud of them.”
To add to the symbolism of this special journey, Millar, said, “I decided to bring back small rocks from the mountain for my husband, Clyde, and my children Matt, Daniella and Ben as part of a current tradition. When my youngest child turns 18, we will all climb the mountain together to put the rock back.”
If you would like to contribute to the Talk Sign cause, these are the banking details: account name KZNBDS, Standard Bank, account number 050 715 410, Kingsmead branch (040026). Please use reference ‘TS Norms & Sam’ and your name. Email proof of payment to ruvanya@talksign.co.za or fax to 031 309 3048.
