Karina Mitchell
In her own words
I am Deaf, 25 years old, and attending NMSU
majoring in Social Work. I was born and
raised in Las Cruces, NM. I have faced a lot
of obstacles in my life due to being deaf. I’ve
played sports for the majority of my life such
as BMX, Basketball, Track, Volleyball.
I started doing BMX because one boy told me
I wouldn’t be able to balance on a bike at the
starting gate because I’m deaf and of course,
here I go not accepting the phrase “I wouldn’t
be able to.” I hop on that bike and practiced
and practiced, before you know it, I become
number 1 in State and Nationals for my rank.
Basketball had its ups and downs, coaches
wouldn’t play me because I can’t really hear
them on the court. I tried to teach them
some basic signs but I get called out by being
“selective hearing” and got cut from the team.
Did that stop me? Nope! I went to Gallaudet
University for basketball camp, coaches there
fell in love with me and asked me to transfer
to a deaf school so I can get playing time. Went
to NMSD for my last 2 years of high school,
got All Stars in tournaments, All Star West
and East Team, North and South, and Deaf All
American. Went to college, played ball for a
year and I decided to just focus on schooling.
I have had this dream since I was a little girl it is helping deaf people in need, especially in
small towns, and to educate parents on what
to do with their deaf child. I also want to help
children in general with behavioral issues due
to coming from broken homes. That is the
reason why I’m majoring in Social work. I love
children and want to work with children.
NM CliQ Magazine | April 2016
21