Wednesday 14th April ´óÏó´«Ã½2 1.30pm
On today's programme we met deaf carpenter, Steven Heard. Although he's struggling to find full-time employment he's putting his carpentry skills to good use, keeping up his own spirits and raising money for a variety of charities. ÌýÌýWhen Steven left school he started an apprenticeship with a builders learning carpentry as his trade. He quickly qualified and even started his own business.Ìý But business has slowed recently due to the recession so he and his wife have had to make tough decisions like selling the house.Ìý To keep him busy and take his mind off work problems Steven hand makes toys, more specifically wooden vehicles.Ìý It takes him about 3 days to make a lorry, a day and a half to make a dumper truck, and 2 weeks to make a campervan due to the detailing.Ìý As they're hand-made they sell for over £100.Ìý Steven would love to turn his hobby into a business but again in the current economy it's difficult.Ìý He gives some of his toys to charity so that they can raise money for good causes.Ìý
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We caught up with parkour enthusiast Max Powell. ÌýHe first appeared on See Hear in 1985 when he was just three years old. ÌýAt that time he had recently been fitted with a cochlear implant. ÌýWe found out how his parents' decision has shaped his life over the last 15 years and why he has taken up the adventurous hobby of free running.Ìý It's known as 'parkour' the French word for 'the art of moving' - it's a non-competitive sport and trains the body to use efficient movement and is very physically demanding.
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If you're thinking of taking up parkour then please make sure you contact an established group.Ìý For more advice about parkour, or to find a qualified instructor, or an accredited club please follow this link: Ìý
ÌýWe also found out if it's possible to teach a computer to lip-read and what would be the benefits if you could...?Ìý Along with sign language, lip-reading is one of the most common ways for deaf and hard of hearing people to communicate.Ìý Learning to lip-read is difficult as it's not just about recognising the different lip shapes; we look at, or 'read' the whole face. ÌýSome letters for example look exactly the same on your lips e.g. "b" and "p". ÌýÌýSee Hear visited a lip-reading class at
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Comment number 1.
At 16th Apr 2010, Mark Fisher wrote:I found this week’s programme particularly interesting especially the story of Steven Heard. In the coming episodes I would like to see this face of Siemens campaign covered, which is detailed on Siemens.co.uk/hearing, especially if they are trying to find a new Kellie Moody and giving deaf individuals a chance to shine!
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