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Meet Sue Thomas & Hearing Golden Gracie This is Amazing Grace, a very lovely Golden who also
answers to “Gracie.” She was born in July 1994 in the splendid hills of Napa
Valley, California. In 1995, Gracie was placed in the
Therapy Dog Program for training to become a Certified
Hearing Dog for the deaf. And, in February 1996, she
earned the right to the orange collar—leash that is
given to only a few dogs in the program. She entered
active service and was teamed with Sue Thomas.
Only months earlier, Sue had lost her long-time canine
hearing companion, Levi. So, she welcomed Gracie as best friend, constant traveling
companion and ears to the world. It was probably in gratitude for this special
canine that Sue named her new gem Amazing Grace. Today, Gracie is
quickly becoming the most frequent flyer dog at United Airlines. She travels
throughout the country with Sue and stands in the spotlight before audiences of thousands
. . . . and simply steals the show! Sue's incredible story is finally being told on the Pax
TV network. The show, Sue Thomas, F.B. Eye, premiered on Sunday, October 13,
2002 at 9pm. The series tells the story of a real person, Sue Thomas, a deaf woman who
went to work for the FBI. She initially analyzed fingerprints, but her incredibly ability
to read lips with accuracy led to a new job. She was able to figure out what suspects were
saying on surveillance tapes that were devoid of sound. Thomas is actually played by deaf
actress Deanne Bray.
According
to the show's producers, more than 28 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing. Yet
the hearing community knows little of what it's like not being able to hear. Hopefully,
this show should help rectify that. In the case of Hearing Dog Levi (played by Golden
Retriever Jesse), the dog does provide some comic relief in the show. But, don't get upset
when they show some of the dangers associated with the job. In the two-hour premiere, Sue
helps take down one of the world's most wanted men, getting Levi shot in the process.
Since this is a TV show, and on the friendly Pax network to boot, it's a sure thing that a
Golden, lying comatose in a hospital bed, is going to wake up and look lovingly at his
mom. It is certainly unique that a show about a deaf person, even though who by all
accounts is quite extraordinary, would get made, and that it would actually star a deaf
person. But, you can be certain that the real star of the show,
at least in the early going, is Golden Hearing Dog, Levi. Anabuse victim, Levi failed training
school, but Sue wanted him anyway. The trainer had warned that there were major concerns
that Levi had the necessary capabilities. But, Sue indicated that the same things used to
be said about her. Obviously, it was a match made in heaven. Jesse, the 5-year-old guy who plays Levi, is not new to
the show business world. He landed his first role on the Nickelodeon TV series
Animorphs based on the popular Scholastic books by K.A. Applegate soon after
his first birthday. Born at a celebrated dog
breeding establishment outside of Toronto, Jesse was discovered by Bryan Renfro, a
professional animal trainer who also worked on Benji the Hunted, Gremlins, Goosebumps and
Twilight Zone. Bryan trained this guy with a combination of love, reward, praise and lots
of doggy toys. After a two-year hiatus in California, Jesse reunited with Renfro for the
role of Levi on Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye. Jesse resides with Renfro in Pickering, Ontario and will
soon be joined by Golden brother Hamish. On his days off, Jesse enjoys running through
corn fields, chasing sticks and spending quiet evenings at home.
Personal Observations on Sue
Thomas: F.B.Eye By Sue Thomas Never before has there been a television series based on
deafnessstarring a deaf actor who won the role after auditioning alongside hearing
and deaf actors. It is hard to imagine that so many years would pass before television
audiences would be given a chance to have a deeper understanding, and to gain a deeper
respect for the individuals who walk the path of silence.
My silence began at 18 months. One day I was sitting around watching cartoons with my
family. The next day I began visiting an endless series of medical specialists who all
brought forth the same proclamation of despair: I would never hear. I would never speak. I
would never matter.
A full understanding of the consequences of this sentencing would become clearer to me as
I entered maturity. But the initial sting pierced my innocent mind so deeply that I relive
the emotions as I write today. Though I could not hear my parents' cries of anguish, I
could see their tears. Their tears became my tears. Those tears welled into determination,
and that determination has been poured out in every area of my life.
I learned to talk by feeling the vibrations of my speech therapists throat and
watching her form her lips to make the words. Later, another teacher would work with my
voice so I could sing and go off key with the best of them. At the age of
seven, I became the youngest Ohio State Champion free-style skater... by skating in
perfect synchronicity to music I couldn't hear. I studied classical piano and wanted to
major in music in college, but doors shut when I just couldn't grasp the ear training
courses that were required. I have served my country by using my lip reading skills to
help the F.B.I. solve a number of high-level cases. Now, as a professional speaker, I
reach thousands of people every year with a message of faith, hope, and love. But the most
remarkable accomplishment that I prize more than any past, present, or future, is my role
as a bridge between the hearing and the non-hearing worlds.
I can sign. I can read lips. I can speak. I value and respect those who sign, those who
read lips, and those who can hear and speak. One is not more remarkable than the other,
and society as a whole is made complete when they all sit around the table and
communicate.
The new PAX series, Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, will be a remarkable forum for each
of these worlds to communicate. The series will enable each to better understand the
other. It means so much to me to have the deaf and hard of hearing portrayed as the
gifted, transformational people they are. I feel so blessed that this story will be told
on a network that prizes these virtues and will use its reach to instill hope in the
hearts and minds of those who watch.
This series is making history. It is the first to bring
these worlds together on television in such a powerful and positive way. The series will
make you laugh; it will make you cry; it will allow you to inhabit a world that is special
and distinct.
With so much at stake, it became apparent to me that the actress who would portray my
journey would make or break the series. I remember when I viewed the audition video of
Deanne Bray for the first time . . . before she actually got the part. I knew in my heart
that it had to be a deaf actress to play Sue Thomas, for only she would have the true
knowledge of the isolation that deafness can bring to the everyday aspects of living in a
hearing world. As I watched the video, I looked into her eyes, searching for the
separation that lay within, and yet I was also looking for an inner strength.
As I watched, tears of joy flowed down my cheeks. Deanne is everything that I could ever
want in an actress to tell this story. She is such a gifted woman with eyes that sparkle
and a smile that can warm your heart.
I will never forget the first day we met . . . at a gathering comprised of persons from
the hearing, hard of hearing, and deaf communities. At one point, I was sitting around the
table and the most remarkable revelation came over me. I was watching an extension of
myself. Deanne is a bridge to all these worlds. She was reading my lips, signing to her
husband (Deaf West actor Troy Kotsur), and speaking to the hearing people at the table.
From the first meeting to the present, a deep and growing friendship has been born.
Another
element of the show that moves me is the portrayal of my hearing dog, Levi. You couldn't
tell my story without having Levihe's my ears! The world is so accustomed to the
seeing-eye dog for the blind, but little does society know about the special dogs for the
deaf. We finally have a way to educate society about these special dogs who are trained
especially for the sounds in life. Jesse, the golden retriever, who portrays Levi is
everything I could ask for and more . . . take a good look into those eyes and you'll find
the love, trust, and security of your best friend. I look forward to the day when I am no
longer asked that common question, What's a hearing dogwhat do they do?
As I contemplate all that has happened in my life, and all that is possible with the
series, I hope and pray that our culturewhich is so in need of positive
inspirationwill find this show and be touched by it. When this happens, my most
cherished ability, as a bridge, will converge powerfully with my life mission of
glorifying G-d and providing hope for all of His people. You can learn more about this special story
in this article:
Accessibility Advocate Explains How Deafness Opened Doors.
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