Angela Martinez-Mainberger

Bio

Model: Angela Martinez-Mainberger
Deaf

Volunteer – Waving Hands Organization

I was born in beautiful Mexico City and lost my hearing as a toddler. It was believed to be from a smallpox vaccine. I grew up attending mainstream schools and received speech therapy after school at a specialized program geared for deaf children. The therapy was very extensive and at times intense. The plight of learning how to speak as a hearing person paid off, as many friends and family cannot believe that I am deaf. They often forget that I cannot hear at all. But I must say, I am proud of being deaf! This pride became stronger as I got older. When I moved from Mexico to the United States, leaving and missing my life, heritage, language and friends, I faced many new challenges. I had to adjust to a new way of life and to learn English! I conquered that challenge and further immersed myself in learning German as well as American Sign Language at Miami Dade Community College and the University of Miami. I graduated with an AA and a BA degree in the Arts.

I am so grateful and thankful for my parents, who not only showed me how to be successful by their examples, but always encouraged me to be and do the best, regardless of being deaf. My passion is the arts, using the medium of painting, drawing and empujados (embossed metals). I truly enjoy being creative and showing my art pieces with power, color and beauty. This is created and brought forth from deep within my soul. I am so honored to be a part of the Bold Beauty Project because it presents a positive message of my ‘ability’ being deaf, with all its strength and beauty inside and out.

For what it’s worth: “It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald