Carly Robinson in the Indianapolis Star Newspaper

Teen swimmer knows no barriers
Medals, memories mark trip to Deaflympics
By Kristen Leigh Porter
kristen.leigh.porter@indystar.com
February 24, 2005

Carly Robinson is one of the few to experience what many have dreamed.

Last month, she was standing on a podium with a medal around her neck, which she earned representing the United States in elite international competition.

The Carmel High School sophomore was one of more than 3,000 athletes and officials from 75 countries to take part in the 2005 Deaflympic Games on Jan. 5-16 in Melbourne, Australia.
Robinson took home the bronze in the 200-meter butterfly, and was part of two silver medal-winning relays: the 800 freestyle and 400 medley. She also finished fourth in the 100 butterfly.
"I was so elated," said Robinson, who speaks in sign language.

Robinson is the daughter of John and Tina Robinson. Her brother, Jake, attends Smokey Row Elementary. The whole family made the trip with her.

The Deaflympics have been held regularly for 80 years and rank among the world's largest sporting events. From training camp to the opening ceremonies to the end, the atmosphere was unlike anything Robinson had seen.

Banners hung throughout the city welcoming the athletes. Swimming events were held at a packed Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Center and featured a "rock concert atmosphere." Robinson was even asked for her autograph.

Robinson, who will be 15 on March 5, was the second-youngest member of the U.S. team; only 13-year-old Kristin Ates of Charlotte, N.C., was younger. There were six male and six female swimmers who competed for the Unites States team, which was selected based on submitted times.

"I'm excited to have two young swimmers -- Kristin and her -- because we know they're just going to get better and better and come back in four more years," said U.S. coach Rosemary Stifter.

Robinson contributed to three of the 33 medals won by U.S. athletes in all sports. The USA Deaf Sports Federation is affiliated with the U.S. Olympic Committee, and conditions of Deaflympic Games competition are similar to the Olympic Games.

The 2009 Deaflympics will be in Taiwan, and Robinson has her sights set on a gold medal.

The Deaflympics are more than just competition and medals, however. They're a cultural event as well as a sporting event.

For Robinson, experiencing the deaf culture of other countries was an experience in itself.
"People who speak English have barriers, but I didn't have barriers there," Robinson said.

She also took in the Australian scenery, which included spotting a koala and a kangaroo.

"I could not have asked for more; no one enjoyed the Deaflympics more than Carly," Tina Robinson said.

Carly's story
Robinson was born in New Hampshire and moved to the area when she was 5.

A few weeks after John and Tina Robinson found out their daughter was deaf, they started to learn sign language. Carly learned it from her parents the way a hearing child would learn English from a parent.

Later on, she was fitted with hearing aids and also started speech therapy.

"It was really important for me to learn American Sign Language first because that gave me my first native language. Later, I developed English, which is really my second language," Robinson said.

Robinson attended the Indiana School for the Deaf from preschool until fourth grade, but her parents decided a regular school would offer more challenge so she went mainstream with help from an educational American Sign Language interpreter. In seventh grade, Robinson split time between the Deaf School and Carmel Junior High.

She likes the diversity, size and academic excellence at Carmel High School, where she is an A and B student. Interpreter Felisa Wilson said Robinson has no limitations there.

"Carly is always the first one to say she doesn't want to be exempt from anything," Wilson said.
The same is true in swimming, where some adaptations have to be made.

For example, deaf swimmers can't hear the start. Some pools, such as IUPUI, are equipped with a light system as a cue. At the Deaflympics, green meant ready and orange meant go, which was a little confusing.

If there is no light system for meets, Robinson can be told to take her mark and then tapped on her heel to go.

Diving in
Robinson started swimming seriously when she was about 8 years old, and took lessons before that. She swims for Central Indiana Aquatics, which practices at Westfield High School. As a freshman, she swam for Carmel's high school program, but took this season off to train.

"I love training, I love the practice, I like achieving," Robinson said. "I'm not all alone. I swim with my teammates, and they support me. They help me to be better and faster."

Robinson swims all four strokes -- butterfly, back, breast and freestyle -- but she excels at the butterfly and distance events. At last year's age-group state meet, she finished 12th in the 200-yard butterfly.

"She's not just a good deaf athlete, she's a good athlete," said Central Indiana Aquatics director Brian Hindson. "People see the deaf part, but in the water she's just another swimmer."
In the past, Hindson has held a silent practice when he tells the other swimmers not to use their voices. Communication is via finger signs, gestures, written notes or text messages.

Robinson is thankful for the support she has received locally as a member of the U.S. team.
Her club teammates got her a stuffed Build-A-Bear, which she named "Butterfly" after her best stroke. An entire class at Carmel high signed a card.

"It was moving how many people were excited for me," Robinson signed. "It made all the work worth it."

Robinson would like to return to the Carmel High School swim team before graduation. She hopes to keep swimming in college and earn a scholarship.

Her confidence is high, thanks to her Deaflympics success.

"It's given me a lot more in knowing I'm going to succeed in my goals, and I know I have to keep on sacrificing and practicing," she signed.