Episode 2 - Guests

Jerry Hanifin

Famous for his facial expressions and amazing BSL animal descriptions, our final guest this week is Jerry Hanifin.

Jerry started his working life as a tradesman in the North West, working as a Plasterer and Builder for almost 20 years. He lived happily with his wife and three daughters. Family man Jerry had always had a natural talent for performing and for making others laugh and he toured worldwide with the sketch group, The Deaf Comedians performing to thousands of Deaf and Hearing people from all over the world.

When Jerry was in his mid-40s, he saw an advert that had been pinned up in Manchester Deaf Club looking for Deaf people to work with Deaf children at the Royal School for the Deaf in Derby. Encouraged by his family, Jerry applied and got the job. He moved to the Midlands and is now happily retired after a second career where he worked with Deaf children. Whilst at Derby, Jerry also worked with CHASE Video Productions and his descriptions of animals in BSL are well-known and loved by students all over the UK. Jerry's performance ability with the Deaf comedians comes shining through in his passion for the preservation and proper use of BSL.

If you'd like to see some of Jerry's work, then visit the website of Forest Bookshop where there are many examples of his amazing sign language videos:

www.forestbooks.com

Jerry is known as the funny guy but in the programme today, he will reveal the emotional story of his upbringing and how this triumph over a difficult start in life has led him to the man he is today. Don't miss this emotional rollercoaster with an uplifting ending. We are privileged and grateful to Jerry for sharing his story with us.

If you'd like more information or support about the issues related to Adoption and Fostering, you can visit:

www.baaf.org.uk/info/firstq/index.shtml