Dr Sara Louise Wheeler
has Waardenburg Syndrome Type 1, a genetic condition which affects her physical appearance as well as her hearing. She writes the column ‘O’r gororau’ (from the borders) for Barddas Welsh poetry magazine and her poetry, belles lettres and artwork has been published by Unique Poetry Journal, Dark Poets Club, Fahmidan Journal, Cloverleaf Zine, and 3am Magazine. Sara is currently writing an autobiographical bildungsroman opera called The Silver Princess, funded by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. Originally from Wrecsam in North East Wales, she now lives on the Wirral peninsula with her husband Peter and their pet tortoise Kahless.
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Excellent video from Taking Flight Theatre Company
Arachne Press in their project “Stairs and Whispers”
created a whole series of poetry written in British Sign Language all available on Youtube. they have kindly allowed me to quote some examples:
Presented as part of Stairs and Whispers: D/deaf and Disabled Poets Write Back (Nine Arches Press, 2017, edited by Sandra Alland, Khairani Barokka & Daniel Sluman)
Find more BSL poetry here: BSL poetry – YouTube
Another useful link is to the British Sign Language Poetry Playlist by Kate Lovell: https://disabilityarts.online/playlist/british-sign-language-poetry/
other useful links:
https://deaffirefly.com/bsl-poetry/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/disability-40670284
https://www.signbsl.com/sign/poem
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/education/migrated/documents/iconicity.pdf
Ailbhe’s Tale by Lynn Buckle
The Wombwell Rainbow 