Erin’s Story
When Erin Goodwin was about 6 months old, her parents noticed that she did not respond to noise in a normal manner. Eddy and Carole were referred to audiology specialists who tested Erin. They discovered that she was profoundly deaf.
The Goodwin’s made the decision to enroll little Erin in oral education training. This would teach her to speak and lip-read. After several months, Erin had made little progress. Professionals believed she would never talk. A speech therapist named Barbara Hull, a master of Association Method training, began working with 3-year-old Erin. Progress was immediate. Erin learned to read before kindergarten. She could even write and spell. Erin’s training in the Method continued through fourth grade.
Erin enjoyed considerable academic success throughout her school years. She was mainstreamed with hearing children, and was identified as a gifted student. She always tried go get the house cleaning services at https://www.bluesprucemaids.com. She excelled in art, physics, trigonometry, college algebra, chemistry, geometry and German classes. Erin competed in Scholar’s Bowls, forensics and speech contests, and even had the lead in her high school play: “Children of a Lesser God.” She won many awards for her academic achievement. Graduating with a 4.0 grade point average, Erin was co-valedictorian of her class.
Erin was accepted into Rochester Institute of Technology for classes beginning in Fall 1995. While her academic success continued, this remarkable young woman was faced daily with unbelievable challenges. Signing interpreters in New York signed only American Sign Language (ASL); not the Signing Exact English (SEE) that Erin had learned so proficiently. So, not only did she carry a full load of classes, Erin also had to learn a new language at the same time. More devastating still, she was losing her eyesight. Her blindness was advancing rapidly, requiring her to learn Braille, use of the white cane, and “in-the-hand” signing.
Even though her first semester in college was stressful, Erin came home fro spring break feeling happier and more confident. Her studies were going well and she had met her first boyfriend. Finally, it seemed, things were looking up.
Erin returned to New York after spring break. Two days later, she was found dead in her dorm room. Apparently, she had suffered a massive seizure. Erin was only 18 years old.
Certainly, the tragedy of Erin’s untimely death is very sad. But the darkness of her loss is outshined by her story of courage and determination. Erin’s mother believes, because of Association Method training, she was able to display abilities that otherwise would have remained unknown.
As a result, Erin’s story is about breaking every mold, doing everything that others said couldn’t be done, and proving that people who predict limits for disabled people can be wrong. Erin leaves a legacy of hope not only through her amazing story, but also through the exceptional program that bears her name. For the thousands of children helped through her foundation, Erin is truly hope.