Daniel’s moving message to his younger self

This Deaf Awareness Week, the National Deaf Children’s Society is sharing powerful messages from people to their younger selves, including campaigner Daniel Jillings, who is originally from Lowestoft, and BAFTA winning actress Rose Ayling-Ellis. Here, the university student shares his message

Deaf campaigner Daniel Jillings has shared a moving video message in British Sign Language (BSL), to his younger self as part of the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Deaf Awareness Week campaign, which runs until May 11. Daniel is profoundly deaf and was born without a cochlea, meaning he cannot use hearing aids or cochlear implants and does not use speech.

In his video message Daniel reassures his younger self: “You will encounter barriers. Lots of deaf people do, but it’s important not to give up. Show that deaf people can do it. We can achieve anything and so many things.”

Daniel, aged 19, goes on to tell his younger self that what he’s “really proud of” is his campaign for a GCSE in BSL, which started in 2018 and is still ongoing. “I got involved with campaigning when I was 12 and working with the National Deaf Children’s Society was a great experience.”

Daniel, who is originally from Lowestoft in Suffolk but is now a student at The University of Exeter continued: “Looking back to my time in school, there were lots of barriers.

“The education itself was great. I had support. But the biggest barrier was the social element of school because I was the only deaf sign language user at school, so it did feel lonely, and communication was difficult.

“The really important thing is to carry on and to try and adapt to communication. And eventually, I did start to teach my peers some BSL”

Daniel finishes his moving video with the following message to young deaf people: “I’m at university now, and I’ve worked really hard through school and there were barriers, but I achieved what I wanted. And in the future, I want to become a teacher. So, I’m putting the work in now.”

Daniel’s inspiring message is just one in a series of powerful videos from deaf people to their younger selves which are currently being shared by the National Deaf Children’s Society on social media to celebrate deaf identity, resilience, and community, during Deaf Awareness Week.

One of the video messages is from the BAFTA winning actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who recently starred in hit BBC1 drama Reunion. Rose reassures her younger self: “Don’t worry too much”, recalling how she was nervous ahead of her first job interview to work in a supermarket.     

Rose, who was born deaf, tells her younger self: “You were worried and concerned and you told mum that you didn’t know if you would get the job because you are deaf.     

“Forget that – you will get the job! When you get the job, you will realise your confidence will grow. You will learn that being deaf is actually your advantage. It will give you so many opportunities.”     

Rose, who also recently fronted BBC documentary Old Hands New Tricks, in which she teaches BSL to residents at a retirement home, adds: “Just learn how to make the most of those opportunities. Before you know it, you will have an amazing time. Just believe in yourself.”    

Arran Masterman, from the National Deaf Children’s Society said: “We want deaf children and their families to be inspired by these stories and messages of empowerment. We’re encouraging deaf children to embrace their deaf identity and see their uniqueness as a strength.     

 “It’s also about raising awareness of deaf experiences. Whether it’s overcoming barriers, finding confidence, or embracing sign language, every story is a celebration of deaf pride and resilience, for deaf children, young people and the wider deaf community.”      

Mr Masterman added: “The National Deaf Children’s Society wants deaf children and young people to keep believing in themselves, keep aiming high, and achieving whatever they want to do.”

The National Deaf Children’s Society’s Deaf Awareness Week runs to May 11, 2025. All the video messages from A message to younger me will be shared across the National Deaf Children’s Society social media channels throughout Deaf Awareness Week. There are also free deaf awareness resources on the National Deaf Children’s Society website with deaf awareness videos for children, a deaf awareness quiz and much more. 

Featured images supplied by the National Deaf Children’s Society