How Sophie Post became a soccer sensation despite her deafness
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Before starting this year’s High Plains Select girls soccer program, Jason Redmond was flooded with letters from children and their parents interested in joining the team. Redmond had to see a lot of teenage girls compete, but it was necessary for him to build a team that was among the best in the country. Sophie Post was one of the final few to make it into the show.
Post was born deaf due to a hereditary condition called tinnitus with a reverse slope.
Post’s teacher realized she wasn’t hearing instructions, as well as other students, when she initially started school. Post’s parents began to notice slurred speech and a lack of response when her name was called at home. She was taken to an audiologist for a formal diagnostic when suspicions surfaced that she might have her family’s hearing loss. She’s used hearing aids since she was 4, and she has a 65-70 decibel hearing loss. Post’s disability has made playing soccer increasingly difficult for her throughout her childhood.
鈥淲hen working with a new group, it can be particularly challenging to get to know everyone,鈥� Post . “It’s never easy at the beginning, and there are always rough patches. In terms of communication, soccer is a very verbal game.鈥�
She explained that people learn to communicate in a variety of ways.
“Everyone adjusts and eye contact, arm movements in the air, and not as much vocal communication becomes increasingly important,鈥� she . 鈥淓ven though they still scream and I can hear them, my teammates go out of their way to support me.鈥�
Post has demonstrated, with the help of her teammates, that her hearing loss is not an obstacle. The U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team took notice because it was unique.
Post, who will turn 16 later this month, has already been to three national team training camps, the most recent of which was in July of last year.
At the end of the month, she’ll make her fourth appearance with the team in Salt Lake City for the annual camp. ASL (American Sign Language) is the universal form of communication for the national team because hearing aids of any kind are prohibited.
Post had no prior experience with ASL before her first training camp.
“It was terrifying the first time,” she . 鈥淏efore this experience, I’d never played with anyone who was also deaf.鈥� With a little guidance, Post was soon fluent enough to function at camp.
鈥淭hey were all extremely nice,鈥� she , and she even learned some sign language. “I’m not fluent yet, but I’m improving.”
Post’s next goal is to be selected for the national team’s player pool and secure a berth on the roster for the 2020 World Cup, which will be held in Korea in July of that year. Her ultimate goal is to help the deaf national team, as well as other Paralympic groups, gain acceptance into the mainstream of mainstream sports.
Redmond feels Post has what it takes to succeed, whether it’s a national club championship with High Plains Select or a berth on the deaf national team. He believes she is incredibly talented and believes she can do anything. He predicted that Sophie would be a huge success in anything she pursues in life.
“There’s something remarkable about her,鈥� he .
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.