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Imagine a world without sound. A world without the chirping of birds in early spring, no sweet hum of the violin, no sound of the crashing waves. Falling rain assisted by pounding thunder doesn’t exist in the summer storm. The only thing to be heard is silence. This is the life Julie Boekweg has always known.
As a junior at NS, 16-year-old Julie is standing tall as a well-accomplished student with a talent in math, running cross country, and a love for horseback riding. Motivated in everything she does, she seems to be just another head-strong teenager to the stranger’s eye. Though Julie seems like just another head-strong teenager, her challenges have helped her see the world a little differently than most.
Julie has been deaf since birth. She is the fourth of her nine siblings to have been affected by this genetic deafness. Falling number eight of those nine, she is equipped with family members who know how to deal with the challenges presented to deaf people.
“A lot of kids born deaf are usually the only ones in their families,” said Kari Boekweg, Julie’s mother. “A lot of time they feel isolated and alone.”
Because Julie has three other siblings who have suffered from the same genetic loss of hearing, the Boekweg family has increasingly less of a language barrier between all their members as all are fluent in two languages. While the other deaf members relate to Julie, she confides more in her older sister who isn’t deaf. Julie expressed that she is someone she trusts.
Along with her older sister, Julie is able to confide in her interpreter, Jane Tucker. While communicating with the world poses as a challenge, with the help of Tucker, Julie has been able to excel in her academics and continue to grow.
“I guess what gets me going, what gets me here everyday, is knowing the end result, which is Julie’s accomplishments,” Tucker said. “I taught her how to read, taught her how to write. She is a 4.0 student and I feel responsible for helping her get there.”
Julie continues to strive for perfection but the path she walks is not perfect.
“I think I’m left out a lot,” Julie said, “I try to become friends with people, but I just am not experienced enough to go up to someone and just start chatting with them.”
This may always be a challenge for Julie but there are a few things that can help calm the nerves, according to Julie’s mother. Having raised nine children, four being deaf, as a mother she has seen both sides of the situation.
“Just wave at her or smile,” Kari said. “Your expression says a lot.”
Expression, body language, and even attitude can make or break any situation. Something Julie knows well, her persistent attitude doesn’t go unnoticed.
“She is one determined young lady,” Kari said, “We are just happy to have her.”
With sight as her guide, Julie hopes to venture into veterinary work after high school. She is an animal lover especially when it comes to horses. Julie has been riding horses on her own since she was 6 years-old and has loved it ever since. With a persistent attitude, Julie is excited and ready to keep doing what she loves.
