OC Student with Hearing Loss joins Theater Group

Payton Rigdon, a junior at West-Oak High School, is categorized as hard-of-hearing and hears about 50% without hearing aids. “We don’t know what happened to my hearing,” he said. “I didn’t have problems up through third grade and then all of a sudden, in the middle of fourth grade, I realized I was having trouble hearing.” He had surgery on his ears during the fourth grade and fifth grade and received a hearing aid in the fifth grade. “I just got used to sitting near the teacher, so we aren’t sure when exactly I started losing it.” Payton remembers. Nevertheless, entering middle school is difficult for any student, especially a student who is different. “I was bullied for my speech up through eighth grade,” he says. “When I got to West-Oak, I just avoided people. But then I met Mr. Kyle.” “Mr. Kyle” is Kyle Keasler, the teacher of the deaf/hard-of-hearing class at West-Oak High School. Mr. Kyle is based there, but he also travels to other schools as he is needed, providing resources and support for students in other schools. Although Mr. Kyle is deaf himself, he recently passed his National Board Certification in the area of Exceptional Needs Specialist for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing, which is rare. However, so is Mr. Kyle. Mr. Kyle started talking with Cheryl Theodoroff, the Drama/Theater teacher. They were concerned about Payton and were trying to find a way to reach him. They found out that Payton had participated in plays at church, so they decided that Payton should sign up for Drama I. “I didn’t really care,” said Payton. “I didn’t think anyone would want to hang around with me anyway. Nevertheless, my teachers encouraged me and now Drama is my favorite class. It lets me be someone else and pretend I don’t have a disability.” Mrs. Theodoroff says, “Payton came to me last year for Theatre 1. He was nervous and self-conscious about his disabilities, especially his hearing impairment. It took a few classes for him to even start feeling comfortable. Eventually he decided to audition for our big after-school shows. He got a part and worked very hard. This allowed him to skip up to Theatre 3 Honors this year. He did our Murder Mystery Dinner Theater in October and now has a bigger role in Beauty and the Beast.” She continues, “The biggest compliment my students gave him was when my assistant director for Beauty, Jon, asked Payton to speak clearer and Payton tried and did. Then Jon remembered that Payton has a hearing impairment and apologized. He truly forgot that Payton had any disabilities. When Payton performed his monologue for the midterm, written by him, he told the students how much he was bullied all through all the grades of school until last year. It was the first time he felt good about himself and accepted himself no matter what. He has found his niche being a part of drama.” Payton says, “I used to want to be a video game designer. Now I want to be an actor! I have buddies and family members who have hearing problems. I try to help them find someone that supports them. I try to help them like Mr. Kyle and Mrs. Theo helped me.” Sara Cook is his English teacher. She says, “Payton entered my room as an anxious sophomore. He was self-conscious of how his speech and hearing impairments affected his classroom performance and socialization with other students. He was very quiet, kept to himself. Once he entered Theatre 1, he came out of his shell. Payton has found his niche and is overcoming all obstacles and being successful in all of his classes, especially Theatre 3 Honors. His newfound confidence has not only influenced his classroom performance, but it has positively impacted his self-confidence. He is willing to participate in class more often and more willingly. He has taken part in classroom-directed plays as well as performances in the after-school shows. Payton is the perfect example of a student overcoming all obstacles, enjoying learning, and taking part in school activities.” He continued, “What would I tell other students with a disability? I tell them that there are people out there who have the same disability that you do. I tell them to find people who understand and who will stand by you. Keep your head up and find people who can help you make a difference. Find a mentor so you can follow your heart, like Mrs. Theo and Mr. Kyle did. Because that is what I’m going to do!” Mr. Kyle, who had been taping the discussion, smiled. “That is what we all have to do,” he said. “Help each other out and stand by each other. Then it does not matter what anyone says. I tell my students that the best time to be deaf is when someone tells you what you can’t do!” Moreover, it looks like Payton is well on his way to following his heart and being that someone. Thanks to caring teachers.