Hearing impaired cheerleader doesn’t miss a step with Chargers
Posted on 20. Oct, 2011 by admin in Internet
This article originally posted on Yahoo Sports
Written by Chris Chase
Melissa Adams tried out six times for the San Diego Chargers cheerleading squad before becoming an official Charger Girl. Compared to what else she overcame in her life, that was nothing.
Adams lost 85 percent of her hearing when she was 5 years old and wears a hearing aid in her left ear. It doesn’t seem to have slowed her down. She owns a web development business with her husband and is in her second season cheering for the Chargers.
Not being able to hear the music while on the field isn’t without its problems, but Adams has a system in place to ensure she’s not out of rhythm with the other dancers.
“Before every group routine we do in the end zone I have one girl, depending on what routine it is, give me a tap on the side with her pom,” she told Fox5 San Diego. “On my own time, I will go over the music and make sure I know exactly what speed that song is and know the dance so well in my head that once I get that cue from the girl, I know it completely from start to finish. If the music were to turn off it wouldn’t matter for me because I would just keep going.”
Melissa grew up on the East Coast and attended James Madison University before moving to San Diego in 2005 to start a marketing and web development company. Recently, she shared her story with the city’s Fox affiliate:
She hopes the success she’s had while managing her disability will be an inspiration to youngsters dealing with similar issues.
“I know growing up, people would say, ‘Oh you’re not going to be able to do that,’” Melissa said. “I would just be like, ‘What are you talking about? Yes I can.’”
10 Responses to “Hearing impaired cheerleader doesn’t miss a step with Chargers”
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- Hearing impaired cheerleader doesn’t miss a step with Chargers
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don: I was very impressed by your story. My daughter is...
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admin: Hi Mr. Perez, Thanks so much for your kind words...
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mrperez: Hi Melissa and team mediaforest8!! .I Red about...
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Jacob: Do you have a facebook? I will be one of the many ...
Barbara Sporny
20. Oct, 2011
Hi Melissa,
My name is Barbara, and just like you I am hearing impaired, but I am completely deaf in my left ear! I read your story on Yahoo news originally tonight and I thought wow, Impressive! What made you want to be a cheerleader? I struggle with my hearing impairment cause since I ws 2 yrs old I’ve been deaf in my left ear and when I turned 21 I lost some of my hearing in my right ear. How do you handle working with people who don’t really understand how to work with people who are deaf and hearing impaired?
Barbara
Bre
20. Oct, 2011
The photo gives the impression that you’re selling more then just web designs.
Brian Striech
20. Oct, 2011
…Yeah I would have to second that.
Danny C.
20. Oct, 2011
Hi! Melissa,
My name is Danny and I’m hearing impaired, I wear hearing aids in both of my ears, but they are inside my ear. I don’t know if you can help me out but I’ve been trying to find a home based business that works well and gives me financial success. I’m a postal worker and I’ve always wanted to be my own boss. Please I hope you can help me out maybe joining your company might help. By the way CONGRADULATIONS on being a cheerleader for SD Chargers. I really admire you and I must say your a very beautiful and talented woman. I hope to hear from you soon. keep in touch!
Mike Rasp
20. Oct, 2011
keep up the great work!!!! You are a tar and hope your business keeps going strong.
I loved the story about the Chargers!
Mike
Jacob
20. Oct, 2011
Do you have a facebook? I will be one of the many that you hear about your Yahoo sports news. I must say its GREAT to hear from people who can prove that good things can happen as long as you work hard and set your mind to it. Disability or not. I am a hearing aid user for the past 26 years. I was born with a severe nerve damage and took years od speech therapy due to supportive parents. Now I am a hearing aid specialist my job is to help people hear and I enjoy what I do. To see others being hard of hearing acheving big dreams is such a great inspiration. I work near Temecula and I too am a Chargers fan GO BOLTS!
admin
21. Oct, 2011
Thanks All, We’re all very proud of her here at the studio!
mrperez
21. Oct, 2011
Hi Melissa and team mediaforest8!!
.I Red about Melissa and my favorite team the Chargers and guess what? I found your story intriguing! Thank you for being a role model since age 5. I presently work as a high school graphic designer at Coachella valley high school in Thermal ca. I love your team designs and I cannot express my most sincere joy in reading on how Melissa overcame her hearing challenge. Good luck with all your business adventures and here’s hoping for a great football season!!
I will be attending our charger game versus baltimore this year with my son, and I hope to see a great game at that.
Take care media-team and YOU GO Melissa !!!!
admin
21. Oct, 2011
Hi Mr. Perez,
Thanks so much for your kind words. We are all very proud of her on the team. That’s so great that highschools now have media classes and media teachers (graphic design/web development). Would love to hear more about it. Maybe there’s an opportunity for us to give back in some way with some of the students!
The MF8 Team
don
24. Oct, 2011
I was very impressed by your story. My daughter is in second grade and we found out she is profoundly deaf in her right ear and going deaf in her left ear. We are in the process of getting her hearing aids. She has daily struggles with school and making friends. My wife and I showed her your story and how she was just like you. We think it made her feel better. We told her that there is nothing stopping her from her dreams. She loves to dance, sing.and play just like any 9 yr old. If it isnt to much to ask could we have a autograph picture of you. We would love to put it in her room .