MISS DEAF SA 2009- VICKI FOURIE

 VICKI FOURIE – BIOGRAPHY

Vicki Fourie is a multi-faceted young lady who hails from the capital of the Free State, and lives her life with passion... She likes to define her life by the quote, “Courage isn’t a gift, it’s a decision.” Vicki has made her fair share of decisions in her short 20-year life, and claims that ‘Vicki’ is short for ‘Victory’ and not ‘Victoria’! “I believe that I was called to be victorious in this life, and I refuse to be a victim.”

Left: Janie Erasmus – 1^st Princess, Middle: Vicki Fourie – Miss Deaf SA 2009 and Regt: Mbali Nkosi – 2^nd Princess.

While not totally deaf, Vicki has a hearing impairment and relies on reading lips when conversing with other people or when watching television. Her parents realized that something was amiss when she was barely two years old, and no tests could determine what had caused this setback.

Living amongst people who have normal hearing proved to be a challenging for Vicki at times. Like she said in an interview with Die Volksblad (25 October 2008), “I grew up and went to school with the ‘hearing’ people. At times this proved difficult, especially when conversations happened in large groups of people, I struggled to keep up.”

However, she believes her success in adapting is because of the support of her family and friends.

Despite the obvious challenges in her life Vicki says that nothing is standing in her way to achieve her dreams and goals in life. Like the erstwhile Joan of Arc once said, “I am not afraid. I was born to do this.”

As a result she has excelled in drama, dancing, and writing, which are her first love and her main focus. Many of her articles have appeared in Vision, as well has other publications, the first when she was only 17 years of age. Subsequently Vicki has seen more than 40 articles published both locally as well as internationally; for her each publication is a new, exciting adventure.

Life is full of choices,” she says, “and having a positive attitude doesn’t just fall on one’s lap – you need to make a choice to practice this attitude in life. It’s like a muscle: at first it’s not all that easy, but with the seasons it becomes easier and then one wonders, ‘Why did I ever doubt myself?’”  

In an interview with René Badenhorst in www.LIGnet.co.za, Vicki admits that she doesn’t have a specific role model that she looks up to. But there are qualities in certain people that she admires. For example, Nelson Mandela has a sincere heart of forgiveness; Helen Keller practiced perseverance throughout her life; Audrey Hepburn had a classical style of fashion that will never be outdated. She also admires Rafael Nadal, the current world nr. 1 professional tennis player, for his persistence and consistency on the court.

When one combines all these characteristics, it gives one a fairly good idea of who (or what) Vicki aspires to be.

In October 2008 she was crowned 1^st princess as well as Miss Personality at the Miss Deaf SA pageant. Her response to achieving this success is humbling and therefore telling as she recalls the support from her friends and family, and their belief that she could do it. “Just be yourself,” they encouraged her, “after all, it is your strongest characteristic.”

In 2009 she participated in the Miss Deaf South Africa pageant again, and not only was she crowned Miss Deaf South Africa 2009, she also won the Miss Deaf HESC (Hoedspruit) title.

Vicki Fourie – Miss Deaf HESC 2009

Vicki says that her obvious honesty and transparency in all matters is what they appreciate the most about her. While she might not have won the title, her dreams and aspirations of what she can achieve in her year of reign as princess remain the same.

“I would like to see more interpreters in public places, “she says, “since the world out there can be very unaccommodating for deaf people.” She continues boldly, “Even the deaf has a right to understand what’s going on.”

While watching television is aided by the ability to lip-read, she feels that a campaign should be launched with broadcasters to include sub-titles for programmes as well as adverts. A system like this is already in place and functional in the USA, and Vicki would like to see something similar being introduces on the South African market.

Another passion of hers is to help establish funds that will assist people with hearing impairments to get hearing aids more easily.

“Medical Aid companies are rather tight when it comes to paying for hearing aids,” she says. “An added stumbling block for such a fund,” she continues, “is that 95% of all deaf people in South Africa are unemployed. These people cannot afford an apparatus of this kind at all.” Ultimately she hopes to be a spokesperson for the deaf community in South Africa.

Of her future plans Vicki is adamant that it will include helping other people in one way or another. “I want to motivate people,” she says, “be it the deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing people. I would like to break down walls between those who can hear and those who are deaf, and assist them in some way of building a bridge where the two parties can help one another.”

She says that many hard-of-hearing and deaf people tend to be over-cautious and stay in their own little worlds, but her dream is to bridge the gap and show both groups, “Here I am! I can function in both worlds, and so can you!”

Vicki Fourie

After all, this life is not all there is to it, there’s a bigger picture we can’t see. Where Vicki is concerned, she has already seen a glimpse of it...

Place of Birth:

Bloemfontein, Free State

How did you become deaf?

It’s not entirely clear how I became hearing impaired; when I was 2 years old, my             parents found out that I couldn’t speak. The doctor prescribed hearing aids for me,              and since then I’ve been able to function like a normal girl. I had a fever when I was a baby, so we assume that’s what caused it.

Name of School?

I’m a freelance writer and a 1st year at 13^th floor, a non-profit performing arts company which is established in Pretoria. We tour all over South Africa and strive to inspire and motivate people to dream bigger than life. In the future I’d like to go to university to hone my writing and acting skills.

What is your dream?

To become a motivational speaker at functions, fundraising events, etc. I’d also like to write books one day. Screenwriting is also a passion of mine, and to become a TV presenter would also be wonderful.

 Who is your role model?

I don’t have a specific role model. I only aspire to become the best person I can be. I’m an original, not a copycat.

What will your focus be if you win the Miss Deaf South Africa Pageant?

I want build bridges between the deaf and hearing people. Communication barriers can be awful. Helen Keller once said that “blindness separates you from objects, but deafness separates you from people”

There are a few things I’d like to do:

1.       I want to be a motivational speaker for the deaf and hearing people. I want to show both groups that it is possible to get along with each other.

2.       Create an overall sign language program that everyone can understand. Every province’s sign language is different, which means that the deaf/hard of hearing people cannot communicate with one another.

3.       I want to establish a trust where I can give out hearing aids for free. One hearing aid alone costs thousands, and because of the low rate of available jobs it’s very difficult. I’d also like to speak to the medical aids; they don’t include hearing aids as part of the package.

4.       The Deaf/Hard of Hearing wants to be understood and heard. Because they can’t always “speak”, it’s hard to voice their feelings. I feel that we always choose the easy road.. Why not learn how to speak? I was part of a system called ACE (Accelerated Christian Education). They taught me how to create vowels and consonants in my mouth. If can do it, the rest of us can do it, as well!

Any other information you would like to share.

I never used to go to a Deaf School, I grew up with the hearing people, doing everyday activities such as drama and ballet. I even went to America in 2006 to participate in a drama competition after I had achieved 82% for my drama item. I’m good at communications, because I understand how the hearing world functions, I can live like a normal person. This year I am part of 13^th floor, a non-profit performing arts company which is established in Pretoria. We’ve been touring the whole country since May 2009, and it’s been very challenging for me to communicate with different kinds of people with different backgrounds and beliefs. But I’ve learnt that it’s possible when one is patient and in the process, you gain empathy for others. You begin to understand why they act and think the way they do.

Any talent – dancing, painting etc.

I’m very creative. I like to do things visually and artistically. Drama is a big passion of mine, as well as scriptwriting. I like interior design and making something out of nothing (scrapbooking, posters, etc). Writing is also another talent of min. Over 70 of my stuff have been published in magazines, nationally and internationally.

Hobbies – what do you like to do in your spare time?

Watching old musicals is a favourite pastime. Playing with my cat Ally is also a blessing, chatting with my family, especially my parents, is an enriching experience. I lie to go for morning lapses at the gym (swimming), and tennis on a Saturday afternoon is also a great way to relax.

Vicki heard that she is to represent South Africa at the international Miss Deaf International 2010 pageant 2010, so has put that plan on hold.  At the moment we are seeking sponsors to take her to Las Vegas, America where she will represent South Africa 2009 in the Miss Deaf International pageant 2010. She is due to arriving in Las Vegas, America on 14 July 2010 and competition on 23 July 2010.

Compiled by: Narda Els

074 134 5350 or fax 086 541 0989