The UK’s longest-running medical drama BBC1’s Casualty has been on screens since 1986. The weekly series focuses on the personal and professional lives of the staff at Holby City Hospital’s emergency department. In all of the years, the show has aired, there has only ever been one consistent character with a disability. That person is deaf actor Gabriella Leon, who joined in 2018. She plays Jade Lovall, a student nurse. Last year, there was an entire episode devoted to her daily experiences as a deaf person. It was a first in British television history.
HearingLikeMe recently caught up with Gabriella Leon. We asked what life is like as a deaf actor on one of the most popular weekly series on British TV.
Interview With Deaf Actor Gabriella Leon
HLM: What type of hearing loss do you have and how does it affect you?
Gabriella: I have a neurosensorial hearing loss that is moderate to severe. I have constant tinnitus and a condition called hyperacusis. Due to damaged hair cells, I have a sensitivity to sounds above a certain frequency or volume that causes me pain. The mid-range frequency where human conversation takes place is where I’m affected the most. I lipread and have really good speech. Assumptions and judgements around deafness, in relation to me, is the biggest daily challenge I face and overcome. I’m really proud of being deaf and wouldn’t change a thing.
HLM: How long have you been deaf?
Gabriella: I have been deaf from birth. This wasn’t discovered until I was 18 after attending a music festival and feeling like I was having a different experience to my friends. I thought lipreading was normal! Not sure how I got through ¾ of my education without knowing, and therefore not having support and access. But here I am, not limiting myself to anything and affirming that you can do anything. Deaf people are so resilient and are so used to doing all the work in making sure communication with the hearing world is working. It’s time the roles changed and the importance of access and inclusivity is at the forefront of society (also so we don’t have to work so hard!).
When I found out I was deaf so much of my life so far made sense. I’ve been on such a journey discovering my deaf identity, learning and being involved with the deaf community and deaf culture, and I’m still enjoying discovering new things about myself and my deafness.
HLM: How often do you use British Sign Language (BSL) and when did you begin learning it?
Gabriella: Finding out I was deaf at 18, I didn’t have the privilege of accessing BSL growing up. But I love languages, so learning sign has been a very fulfilling and incredible thing. I love that there’s always more to learn. It’s insane how [much] clearer communicating is for me when sign language is involved. It is a beautiful language. Working with my interpreters and meeting other deaf actors in the industry [and] being friends with them is the best way to learn and practice. BSL is a part of my daily life as an extra tool with my lipreading.
HLM: You are a native Spanish speaker, as well as English, have you learned any Spanish Sign Language (Lengua de Signos Espanola, LSE)?
Gabriella: My Papa is Spanish, so he spoke to me in Spanish growing up, and my mum in English. I think it’s an incredible skill to lipread in two languages, so I’m really proud of that! Though I do get rusty! Sadly, I am the only deaf person in my family on both sides so I haven’t been able to access LSE to learn any, but perhaps this is something for the future.
HLM: Being deaf do you consider yourself as having a disability? if so, how does this affect your perception of yourself?
Gabriella: Yes, I do. Disability is not a bad or negative word. I have access needs and a [more] unique experience of the world than others. It is often my strength and not my weakness. Social, work, or environmental situations “disable” us when they are not accessible or deaf aware. Other than that, I continue to live my life in the way I want to live it.
To read the rest of this interview visit Hearing Like Me