Christy Smith–Deaf Survivor

contributed by Gabrielle Jones

Christy showing a map

Amazing Christy Smith, a former MSSD student, from the television show “Survivor” came to visit us at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School. She was selected as one of the 16 contestants out of 60,000 applicants throughout the United States to participate in what we may call an incredible survival challenge in the wild Amazon River. She won great favor from her hearing peers until she was voted out in the last four tournaments. What a great accomplishment! Congratulations Christy!

She shared with us her exhilarating experiences in the Amazon River, roaming in the wild jungle, sleeping on uncomfortable logs, eating huge beetles, worms, and grasshoppers, starving for weeks, and at last being the only Deaf woman in a hearing team. The highlight of her trip was surviving the unbearable heat, living a life of hunger, and having to eat insects. After her brief narration of her trip, the students had written down questions that Christy answered.

The students were thrilled to have met her! Thanks Christy for your inspiration that nothing is impossible. You have taught us to reach for our dreams!

Megan asking a question