Photography exhibit highlights understanding deaf culture

SAVANNAH - Photographer Bobbie Shelton wants to show the world what life is like for her grandson, Joshua, who is deaf. She also wants to give Joshua positive role models who are deaf to look up to in the community. <br> <br> That&#39;s why Shelton took on a two-and-a-half year project that celebrates and promotes the understanding of deaf culture. <br> <br> Her exhibit, ``Living Deaf in a Hearing World,&#39;&#39; which features 17 portraits of deaf individuals, opened Saturday night at Oglethorpe Row Gallery. <br> <br> ``One main theme runs through their stories: the isolation,&#39;&#39; Shelton said. ``I thought I needed to do what I could to make people more aware. It&#39;s a way for me to use my art to educate people about the deaf culture.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Shelton worked on the project between holding down a full-time job and finishing school at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she studied photography. <br> <br> At the school, Shelton met Virginia Shou, who is featured in the exhibit. <br> <br> Shou has had cochlear implants since she was 13. When she first got the implants, adjusting to everyday sounds and the hearing world was a big transition. She said she hopes the exhibition will help people realize that every deaf person is different. <br> <br> ``I hope it will stop the stereotypes and break the barriers between the deaf and hearing world,&#39;&#39; Shou said. <br> <br> All the people featured in the photographs share some level of deafness, although some can hear with the help of technology. <br> <br> Shelton&#39;s daughter and Joshua&#39;s mother, Amanda Hayden, said she&#39;s proud of her mom for shedding light on the subject. <br> <br> ``I think it&#39;s wonderful that she&#39;s doing this. We&#39;re all really proud of her,&#39;&#39; she told the Savannah Morning News. ``Someday, Joshua&#39;s going to look back and say, &#39;Hey, that was really cool.&#39; `` <br> <br> Shelton hopes so, too. <br> <br> ``I wanted to show Joshua some role models,&#39;&#39; Shelton said. ``He is a deaf child of hearing parents and a lot of those children think when they grow up they will hear. I wanted him to see successful deaf adults and see them having a life.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Shelton&#39;s exhibit will run through Sept. 30. The cost is free. <br> <br> ``This is a legacy to my grandson,&#39;&#39; she said. ``It&#39;s important to be deaf and proud. I wanted to give the deaf community something to be proud of.&#39;&#39;