Jodie Ounsley was born deaf. She was told she would never play rugby due to her hearing disability. She is now the first deaf female to make the international squad for England.
As a baby, Jodie was fitted with a Cochlear implant to help interpret sounds and tune into conversations. The processor captures signals and sends them to a receiver implanted under Jodie’s skin behind her ear. The receiver delivers signals to electrodes implanted in the cochlea which stimulate the auditory nerve, directing them to the brain. This device however does not restore normal hearing. What Jodie hears is very different to what an able ear would hear. It takes a long time to learn to interpret sounds after cochlear implantation.
As a child, Jodie was told to avoid contact sports because of the high risk of damage this may cause to her hearing. She was told she would never be able to play team sports. After many conversations with her parents, Jodie’s passion for sports and endurance outweighed the risk. From becoming a British Brazilian Jui Jitsu Champion in 2012, she then ran for Great Britain at Deaflympics 2017. This led her into the sport of rugby where, through tireless perseverance, Jodie became the first ever deaf female to make the international squad for England. She was awarded Deaf Sports Personality of the Year 2020. Being born deaf can be seen as a disability, but for Jodie it has helped shape who she is today.
NJA will act as a platform to inspire, motivate and connect people who are also facing challenges in their lives. Please help support Jodie’s movement and share your stories through @_notjustanyone.
A film by Craig Bingham @craigbingham87
Talent - Jodie Ounsley @jodieounsley
Charity - @_notjustanyone
Production - Dadbod films @dadbod_films
Exec Producer - Robert Wildsmith @Robwildsmith
Colour - Toby Tomkins / CHEAT @cheat_it
Original Score - Gus Collins / House Of Noise @house_of_noise
Sound Design - Aaron Taffel / Rascal Post @rascal.post
@slvstudios