Dorothy Miles was a popular and beloved deaf writer, poet, and performer. She became deaf at a young age but did not stop hard work. Her work is known in several places. The motive of her life was to help other deaf people and tell people about the beauty of sign language.
She wrote poems in many languages like English, British Sign Language, and American Sign Language. Her poems contain powerful messages and advice. She showed that sign language is not just language but is also an art. She struggled to bring deaf and hearing people together.
Quick Info
| Topic | Information |
| Full Name | Dorothy Miles |
| Born | 1931, North Wales, United Kingdom |
| Became Deaf | At age 8, due to meningitis |
| Education | Mary Hare Grammar School (UK), Gallaudet College (USA) |
| Languages Used | English, British Sign Language (BSL), American Sign Language (ASL) |
| Famous For | Poetry in sign language, teaching, and performing |
| Known Poems | Language for the Eye, The Door, The Deaf Experience |
| TV Work | Helped with the BBC show See Hear |
| Legacy | Inspired deaf artists, poems still used today |
| Honors | Dorothy Miles Cultural Centre |
Early Life of Dorothy Miles
Dorothy Miles was born in North Wales. She got very sick due to a disease called meningitis at the age of 8 years old. She became deaf due to this disease. Dorothy was normal and could listen before this disease.
Her life totally changed after becoming deaf. She was very clever and brave. Her family admitted her in a special school for deaf students. She studied at Mary Hare Grammar School. The school was located in England and gave education to the deaf. There she learned about British Sign Language.
Dorothy Miles Family Background
She belonged to a caring family in North Wales. Her family supported her and get an education after became deaf. They knew her talent and dreams. She is the only deaf in the family, but they boosted her interest in learning and poetry.
Her family was very confident and proud due to her hard work. They also support her work to care for other deaf people.
Education in the United States
Dorothy Miles was a talented and curious person. She was interested in teaching new things. She got the opportunity to study at Gallaudet College in Washington D.C. This is a specific college for low-hearing and deaf students.
At this college, she studied English literature and American Sign Language. One of the first deaf women to complete college in the United States. It was a big achievement for her. She met several students like her from various areas. She began to write poems with the help of sign language.
Poetry & Writing of Dorothy
She became very famous due to her poems. She did not just write them on paper but also showed them by using sign language. Dorothy proved that sign language is not just talking. She showed that it could be used for sharing feelings and art.
Her poems were about:
- The lives of deaf people
- How beautiful sign language is
- Equal rights for everyone
- Feelings like love, dreams, and sadness
- Understanding between deaf and hearing people
She also wrote in both the English and British sign languages. People liked her writing and poems due to being full of feelings and powerful messages.
Work for the Deaf Community
Dorothy Miles struggled to help deaf people to live peaceful and better lives in society. She also worked hard to spread knowledge to respect and support the deaf community.
1. Teaching & Performing
She traveled to several schools, colleges, and institutes. Dorothy gave performances and lectures. She showed the importance of sign language. She wanted all people to know that sign language is not for talking only also a way to express feelings.
2. Promoting Sign Language
Dorothy Miles assumed that sign language is as authentic as other spoken languages. She worked hard to spread information about the English and British Sign Languages. She wanted everyone to consider it as important as other spoken languages.
3. Working with Television
Dorothy also worked with major TV channels like BBC on a show named “See Hear.” This show was specially created for deaf and low-hearing people. She also helped to create programs in sign languages. So that several deaf audiences could watch and understand.
Dorothy Miles Poems
Dorothy wrote several poems. Some were expressive and humorous, and some were very strong. Some of her famous poems are:
- Language for the Eye: A poem that shows how sign language is a way to speak with your eyes and hands.
- The Door: A poem advice to open minds and accept other people.
- The Deaf Experience: An amazing poem about the feelings of deaf people in the hearing world.
Her poems are still taught and performed by deaf students and artists today.
Dorothy Miles Quotes
She said many wise things and quotes. Some well-known quotes are given below:
“Sign language is not a barrier. It is a bridge”
“Deafness is not Silence. It’s another way of hearing.”
“The hands speak from the heart, and the eyes listen with the soul.”
These things show her interest in sign language. It also proved that she believed in equal rights for deaf people.
Personal Life of Dorothy Miles
Dorothy Miles was a very kind and brilliant woman. She was interested in poetry, books, learning and teaching. She made several friends in the deaf community and always helped them.
Miles was not just a poet and writer. She was a mentor, a role model, and a source of hope for deaf people. Many deaf and also hearing people were inspired by her journey.
Who is Dorothy Miles Husband?
She did not marry. Dorothy never had kids or a husband. She had several close friends but the deaf community was like her vast family. Miles gave her life in spreading knowledge about sign language. She also spent her most of time writing and helping others.
Her hard work influenced several people. Whether she is not married and not have children, but left a big impact and legacy.
Death of Dorothy Miles
She was struggling with mental health problems. This made her life very difficult. Unhappily, she passed away at the age of 62 years old in 1993. Dorothy Miles cause of death was connected to her fights with these mental health. That news was a big loss for the deaf community and for people who loved her.
But her poems and messages are still available and had a big impact. People began to continue her work and remember her with huge respect. Today, many people still remember and honor Dorothy Miles. Here are some ways:
- Dorothy Miles Cultural Centre is a special place for deaf artists.
- Her poems are still taught in schools and used in shows.
- Many deaf poets say that Dorothy gave them the courage to write poems and use sign language
Conclusion
Dorothy Miles was a confident woman in the deaf community. She was interested in poetry, books, learning and teaching. She made several friends in the deaf community and always helped them. Miles was not just a poet and writer. She was a mentor, a role model, and a source of hope for deaf people. Many deaf and also hearing people were inspired by her journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Dorothy Miles cause of death?
Ans: Unhappily, she passed away at the age of 62 years old in 1993. Dorothy Miles cause of death was connected to her fights with these mental health.
Q2. What do you know about Dorothy Miles poems?
Ans: Her well-known poems are given below:
- Language for the Eye
- The Door
- The Deaf Experience
Q3. Did Dorothy Miles have children?
Ans: Dorothy never had kids or a husband. She had several close friends but the deaf community was like her vast family.