At the 80th Annual State Livestock & Poultry Show, Adison Washington broke barriers for the hearing impaired

Adison Washington
Photo Courtesy: Glenna Gauthier

The best way to describe Adison Washington is as a 9-year-old 3rd grader with a lot of confidence and courage. She attended the Louisiana School for the Deaf in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  It is obvious that Adison is a very smart and quick learner. A dream came true for her when she exhibit two cows at Southern University 80th Annual State Livestock & Poultry Show for this year at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Baton Rouge, 

Since 1943, Southern University has provided an opportunity for youth throughout the State of Louisiana to gain valuable knowledge and skills at the Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show. As part of the youth livestock program, students develop responsibility, dedication, decision-making skills, leadership skills, trustworthiness, sportsmanship, and citizenship through the care and handling of live animals.

Adison walked Blade and June with pride and confidence It was the first time a hearing impaired child exhibit an animal at the Livestock and Poultry Show, according to Ricky Brumfield, Blade's owner. When Brumfield learned Adison was deaf over the phone, that didn't bother him. He offered to sponsor her if she wanted to participate in the event. Brumfield made Adison's dream come true.

Glenna Gauthier, Adison's mother was the sign language interpreter,  she was more nervous and afraid
than Adison was.  Adison was interviewed by the local news that morning.  She wanted and was determine  to break down barriers for others with disablities. "I want to show others young people like myself with a disability that they can do anything they choose," Adison said doing her news interview.  She was supported by many of her teachers and classmates with signs.

Adison broke down those barriers for youth with disabilities during the 80th Annual State Livestock & Poultry Show. Her goal was to be the change, and she championed that change with pride and confidence. Adison told her mother that the other children made her feel welcome. In addition she taught Ricky Brumfield, Jr., who assists her, how to communicate with her using sign language.  We will see Adison take on bigger and greater causes to break down barriers for the disabled in the future.

Adison Washington and Blade
with Ricky Brumfield
Photo Courtesy of Ricky Brumfield
Dressed in their costumes