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Although PCC All-State Forward Easter Faafiti is 70 percent hearing-impaired, she can still hear the call. She can still hear the call coming from her country to join the women’s basketball team that will represent the United States at the 21st Summer Deaflympics in September.Faafiti will travel to Taipei, Taiwan with the other American athletes and coaches who were approved by the United States of America Deaf Sports Federation Executive Board to participate in the 20 different sports.

Originally called the World Games for the Deaf, the Deaflympics was the first games that solely held competition for people with disabilities.

There were tryouts available for prospective athletes to earn a spot on the team but Faafiti’s thin relationship with the deaf culture that garnered her unawarness that there was even a world competition for deaf people. “I didn’t even know there were games. I feel blessed to be chosen. I’m overwhelmed with happiness,” said Faafiti.

Meg Sanders, head coach of the women’s basketball team heading to Taipei, got wind of Faafiti and heard that she was hearing-impaired. Recognizing the need for a post player on her team, Sanders obtained game film of Faafiti and asked her join.

“I know she had a lot of success this year winning the state championship and I was also looking for a post player so it all came together at the right time,” said Sanders.

Similar to the situation Faafiti will be experiencing at Gallaudet University where she will attend in the fall, is expected to utilize her game experience and be a presence in the post.

Sanders is confidant that Faafiti will adapt and overcome the various factors that could possibly hinder her game play during the games. The addition of a 24 second shot clock, fewer timeouts, faster game play, time changes and the fact that all players are prohibited from using hearing aids throughout competition are the changes that Faafiti herself is optimistic about.

“I’ll be ready for it. It’s going to be a good experience,” said Faafiti.

Faafiti joins the team as one of the youngest players. Most of her teammates have played in the games on multiple occasions. According to Sanders, with the loss of hearing aids Faafiti and her teammates will have to utilize sign language and lip reading to relay plays during the games.

Faafiti also needs to raise the 5,000 dollars necessary to travel to Taiwan. The US teams are not government funded and the USADF does not provide money for the athletes to travel to global venues.

Despite the challenges that Faafiti will inherit in the coming months, Sanders believes that she will overcome them while emulating the characteristics of a world-class athlete.

“They are very proud to represent their country. Their going to give everything they can and its very exciting for them to have this honor,” said Sanders.

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