Each month we invite an inspirational or outstanding deaf role model to share their story. This can be from what they’ve learnt, to what they wish they’d have known as well as their best deaf tips.
Our role model this month is Samantha Baines. Samantha is a multi award-winning comedian, author, actor, business owner and broadcaster. Read on to find out more!
Please tell us a little about yourself? (career, family, achievements etc.)
My name is Samantha Baines, I am a deaf author, actor, broadcaster and activist. I have a two year old daughter, own a social media company and have recently set up a silk scarf company, inspired by nature. I wear two hearing aids, lipread and I am learning BSL. My sign name is “funny”, because apparently I can be funny (I am an award-winning comedian and did stand up comedy for seven years). I have adhd which explains the multitude of things I do, my brain needs to keep busy.
Career-wise I’ve acted in The Crown, Call the Midwife, Father Brown, Silent Witness and I present on The One Show, Rip Off Britain and Morning Live. I am an ambassador for RNID and Stagetext as well as being an NSPCC Campaigner.
Photo credit: Louise Haywood- Shiefer
What was your experience like at first when finding out you were deaf?
I discovered I was deaf just before I turned thirty and got my hearing aid soon after my thirtieth birthday, which was quite the birthday present! I’d had lots of ear infections, glue ear and grommets when I was at primary school and looking back I think I may have been deaf from an early age.I remember sitting in the front row at school to lipread the teacher. At the time it was a huge shock and I was worried it would ruin my life! Now I love being deaf and it’s an important part of who I am.
The last ten years have been a real journey into my deafness, meeting other deaf people, learning about Deaf Culture, speaking openly about my experience and becoming an ambassador for charities and advocating publicly for deaf and disabled rights. I’m learning British Sign Language which is incredible and something I didn’t have access to when I was younger.
Your bestselling book “Living with Hearing Loss and Deafness” shares more about your experience. What inspired you to write this and why was it important?
This was actually the first book I wanted to write, but ended up being my third book. It was the book I searched for when I found out I was deaf and wanted more information and to feel less alone.
When I first suggested the idea for this book to some publishers they told me it was ‘niche’ and wasn’t something they thought could work. It’s been a long process but two children’s books down and a few years on and the world started to change just enough for this book to happen. Thank you to Headline my publisher for making it happen.
We know the stats. 18 million people in the UK have some form of hearing loss or deafness, is that niche?! Some bookshops still think so and don’t stock the book but the messages I receive from people it’s helping make it a really important book to me. There are lots of people out there who don’t know where to turn when they first discover they are deaf and I hope my book can be a friend to them at that time. It’s also important they find out about the disabled person’s railcard because discounts are always exciting (needed in this case but exciting none-the-less).
You’ve written award winning children’s book with deaf protagonist “Harriet versus the Galaxy” and Bloomsbury Education book “The Night the Moon Went Out”. Do you think there is enough deaf representation for children? What can be done to increase this?
Things are definitely getting better and there are some brilliant deaf authors here and in the US but there still isn’t enough representation for children. All of my children’s books have deaf main characters (and there are more on their way) but it’s still hard to be published as a deaf and/or disabled author. I’d like to see publishers championing more deaf authors and tv shows (especially children’s) embracing more deaf characters/presenters. We have a long way to go but I won’t give up! I love writing children’s fiction, I can let my creativity free and be silly and have fun, so I will carry on writing for children as long as people will publish and read what I write. I also love going into schools and meeting deaf children and classes who have read the book together and learnt about hearing aids, deaf awareness.
As an award-winning author, actor, comedian, broadcaster, activist and Ambassador for RNID and NSPCC. Do you have a part of your work that you enjoy the most?
People always want me to choose one but I like them all. I started as an actor so that’s my first love and my activism feels like a purpose so those two quite often pull focus.
You are also director and founder of “Penguin in the Room”, creator of “The Divorce Social” podcast, and more recently, creator of luxury lifestyle brand “Baines London”. What motivated you to set these up? And what qualities do you need in order to create and run a business?
Living as a deaf and disabled person means the world isn’t always fair or accessible. I have to create my own opportunities a lot of the time and that’s what led me to setting up my own businesses. It was originally a necessity and now I just see it as creating my own empire haha! I love creating environments in my companies where disabled people are valued and can flourish. Running a business is challenging and I am always learning but I feel very privileged to be in a position to be able to do that and employ others.
Photo credit: Louise Haywood- Shiefer
Baines London is something I’ve wanted to do for years and is inspired by nature and my experience in hospital with my daughter. I use real pressed flowers which are digitised, made into designs and printed on pure silk scarves and homeware. It’s about bringing nature with you wherever you go and taking time out and looking after yourself. I saw a study that says just looking at real flowers can reduce stress in your body! We all need some of that!
For people who also want to share their experience, story and make a real change, what tips would you give for becoming an activist?
I call myself an accidental activist, because I never set out to speak publicly about inaccessibility or become an ambassador for charities. I love being deaf and feel strongly about deaf representation and access and that’s my drive. So I’d say find a purpose, something that feels important and drives you and go for it. Start sharing your story in your own way – be it writing, vlogging, art and see where that takes you. Just go for it.
You’ve had a really impressive and varied career. What has been the highlight to date?
Thank you. Career-wise it is hard to choose. Seeing my books in the hands of deaf children is always a highlight, being mentioned at the House of Commons as a prominent deaf person recently was a nice surprise and my last acting job on BBC Drama Father Brown, was a highlight because it was my first filming experience with a lipspeaker on hand to help me and it was a revelation!
Who inspires you and why? (In the deaf community or otherwise)
I am inspired all the time. Caroline O’Neill inspires me, she is a deaf TV commissioner and does so much to support deaf talent in TV. Rose Ayling-Ellis of course, Yvonne Cobb, actor Nadeem Islam, photographer Stephen Iliffe, activist Ellen Jones, journalist Lucy Webster and so many others. I recently found out about Kitty O’Neil who was a deaf speed racer in the 1970’s in the US and broke 22 speed records so that is pretty inspiring, particularly as I am not a huge fan of speed!
What ways do you think hearing people can be allies to the deaf community? Any DOs and DON’Ts?
Don’t say “it doesn’t matter”, if someone can’t hear or understand you. Listen to deaf people, employ deaf people and complete real deaf awareness training. Also read my book haha!
3 top tips for deaf people? (e.g. everyday life/learning/communicating/ socialising/travelling etc.)
Community is so important. Find your deaf tribe, people who understand your experience and can provide support.
Learn British Sign Language, it will change your life.
Don’t believe anyone who says that you are ‘broken’, or being difficult just asking for access. You deserve access and you are not broken, you are complete, you are loved and you are deaf.
To read more inspirational role model interviews, take a look here. If you would like to be an ally to the deaf community and learn sign language, check out our courses.
Looking for more support? We’ve made it our mission to improve the lives of deaf people everywhere. Check out Deaf Unity’s projects to find out what we can do for you. If you’d like to get in touch, contact us here.
