Rose Ayling-Ellis on her hearing disability
(Picture: Rose Ayling-Ellis/Instagram)Rose Ayling-Ellis has said her disability has given her “a purpose” and “something to aim for”.
The EastEnders star, 28, spoke about her positive experience in being deaf on BBC Radio Four’s Women Hour, however admitted that she is burdened with being seen as “political” due to her disability, which she has found difficult.
Ayling-Ellis told host Anita Rani: “I love being deaf because it’s given me a purpose, it’s given me something to aim for…but it can be exhausting sometimes.”
The actress said she “can’t fully enjoy” her job, as she “still has to make changes” in making her industry accessible and accommodating for herself and other deaf artists.
She continued: “It can be hard sometimes. But it can be exciting as well, when it goes right. But when it doesn’t, it feels like fighting, sometimes I actually feel like, ‘You know what, I can’t be bothered.’
“It’s almost like, I am political, without asking to be political.”
Ayling-Ellis became the first ever deaf contestant to appear on Strictly Come Dancing last year, and ended up winning the series with her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
Last Thursday, the star joined Zoe Ball’s Breakfast Show to discuss launching her own Barbie this summer, the first barbie with hearing aids.
The release was part of the diverse Rose, Barbie & Friends campaign, a doll in a wheelchair, and a Ken doll with vitiligo.
“I’m keeping it on my shelf at the moment but I’m always a bit spooked by it. What if it moves?”, Ayling-Ellis said on the radio show.
She continued: “It’s so important for children to be able to see themselves represented in the toys they play with.
“When I was little, I would draw hearing aids onto my Barbie dolls to make them look like me, so I am thrilled that Mattel is releasing more dolls that encourage kids to celebrate and embrace their differences!”
