KATHY Addison's life changed when she discovered her toddler son was profoundly deaf. As Deaf Awareness Week draws to a close, she tells PAULINE HAWKINS how British Sign Language opened up a new world for them both.

DOCTORS don't know why eight-year-old Rory Denmark is profoundly deaf.

But he's a happy boy, enjoying school and getting involved in all manner of activities connected with East Lancashire Deaf Society.

Much of his happiness comes from being able to communicate using British Sign Language which he and his mum, Kathy Addison, learned in an unusual setting.

Six years ago, soon after Rory was diagnosed, he and his mother moved from Blackburn to Northampton.

Kathy, 29, said: "I lived like a New Age traveller on a coach where I met a woman who had a son who was deaf and used sign language. His mum gave me some sheets with signs on them and I picked things up from there.

"I had to settle down for Rory's sake. I learned basic signs and I taught Rory to sign as well. British Sign Language has changed my life."

Kathy, who returned to Blackburn in 1999 and now lives in Lindisfarne Avenue, has become so committed to BSL she now works at the East Lancashire Deaf Society as a project worker for Bridging The Gap, a scheme funded with National Lottery cash which supports families with deaf children.

Kathy said: "We get referrals from social services, schools and doctors, or families might just telephone and we will go out and see them at home.

"We have one boy who can hear but he has no voice, so I am teaching him to sign now. I think most children pick it up really quickly, and if we have parents who want to learn to sign as well I go and visit and teach them basic signs."

Kathy becomes a full-time project worker next month and is so dedicated to her work that she's prepared to walk over hot coals to highlight Deaf Awareness Week, which starts on Monday.

She is one of a number of willing volunteers who will exert mind over matter on Saturday, October 13, for a sponsored fire walk at Blackburn Rugby Union Club as a finale to a week of activities promoting the awareness week.

East Lancashire Deaf Society's training and information officer Anna Herriman, who grew up in the south of England, said: "Deafness can happen to anybody at any time in their lives. Hearing people can go to bed as normal and the next morning wake up and have no hearing.

"I didn't use sign language until I was 14. Before that I was always on my own and I stayed in because I couldn't communicate with people.

"My parents found out about a deaf support unit and I picked up four years' worth of sign language in one year. I was really desperate for communication."

Four new Stage 1 British Sign Language classes start next week across East Lancashire as follows:

Tuesdays, 7-9pm, Ardley Centre (Blackburn Ragged School), Bent Street, Blackburn (tutor Richard Keen)

Tuesdays, 7-9pm, New Era, Paradise Street, Accrington (Neil Tiffin)

Wednesdays, 10am-noon, East Lancashire Volunteer Resource Centre, Yorkshire Street, Burnley (Meharban Ahmed)

Wednesdays, 7-9pm, Blackburn Technology Management Centre, Challenge Way, Blackburn (Richard Keen).

Three new Stage 2 BSL classes also start next week:

Mondays, 1-3pm, Ardley Centre, Bent Street, Blackburn

Wednesdays 6.30-8.30pm, Blackburn Technology Management Centre, Challenge Way, Blackburn

Thursdays, 6.30-8.30pm, Ardley Centre, Blackburn (all Stage 2 classes tutored by Beni Ahmed).

Anyone who would like to find out more about activities during Deaf Awareness Week or who would like to take part in the fire walk challenge should contact fundraising events co-ordinator Donna Bowlay-Williams at East Lancashire Deaf Society's offices at 33 King Street, Blackburn (tel 01254 52620).

DEAF Awareness Week runs from Monday, October 8, to Sunday, October 14.

Schoolchildren are among those taking part and on Wednesday pupils from St Christopher's High School, Accrington, will be performing a song using sign language outside Blackburn Town Hall at 1pm. All week a signing bear -- don't worry, it's a person in a costume -- will be teaching people to spell their name in sign language at Blackburn's shopping centre, and there will be stalls and displays at shopping centres throughout East Lancashire.

Highlight of the week will be the sponsored fire walk next Saturday at the Blackburn Rugby Union Club at Ramsgreave. The evening also includes a disco, bar and pie and pea supper and is for deaf and hearing people.

Anyone who would like to join the fire walk can contact Anna Herriman or Donna Williams on 01254 52620 or fax 01254 693200.

As well as highlighting the public's awareness of the issues surrounding deaf people, East Lancashire Deaf Society is raising funds for its youth section and for the Bridging the Gap family service to buy a minibus for outings.

The society's campaign was kick-started with a donation from Blackburn Chemicals and anyone else who wants to help can make cheques payable to the East Lancashire Deaf Society which is based at 33 King Street, Blackburn.