From Obstacles to Political Victory

Politician. Comedian. Actor. Counselor. Father. 

How does someone go from being a young child at a strict school to being a successful politician?  Kevin J. Nolan Sr. the nation’s first born-deaf city councilor and one of the nation’s first deaf people to serve on a jury shares an entertaining narrative that explores the highs and lows of his life.

Kevin attended a private school for deaf students where he used his keen sense of humor to entertain others in an era when use of sign language was prohibited on campus.  At home Kevin was frustrated by his family’s continued denial of his being deaf. Lonely he often ached to return to school where he could communicate with friends who were like siblings. 

This story of our nation’s first deaf city councilor is one of perseverance determination and sheer willpower to rise above his critics and reshape the public’s mindset about deaf people’s capabilities.