On a recent visit to help with some photography for the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf (MOSD) I was told that some of the older students were going to release butterflies. I don't know the whole story on how this tradition came about, but I quickly drew a parallel between the children and the butterflies. I was told the children watched and nurtured these caterpillars until the day they became butterflies and then today they would release their butterflies out into the world. For several years the teachers have prepared the students that are about to graduate for this tradition of nurturing the caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. The tradition coincides nicely with the fact that the students are now about to go into the world to start a new chapter in their lives away from MOSD.
I know it sounds simple but these children, with the help from the amazing teachers and staff at MOSD, are nurtured just like the little caterpillars, they too will emerge beautiful butterflies. With technological advances and the development of hearing aids and the cochlear implant, these children are taught to listen and to speak, as well as, taught the skills they need to take their place in this world. Without this great school, life would have been very hard for these students. Many would have been placed in special education programs, etc. but because of the hard work and dedication of this school, all the teachers, staff, volunteers and sponsors, these students will be starting kindergarten in public school systems, and are ready to excel just like the average 5 year old. In other ways, as I see how these children have developed year after year, I see just how special MOSD is because these students are often ready to surpass all expectations required of a kindergarten student. Just looking at Teresa Swartz, the administrator at MOSD, you can see the love and appreciation for these children. It can be seen all over her face, as well as every teacher and volunteer that steps foot in the school. This truly is a labor of love.
I have been inspired by these children and their overcoming spirit. So on this graduation day the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf will release their sweet little butterflies into the world. The lives of these children and the lives of everyone that has come in contact with them at the school will never be the same. I am so honored to have been a small part in their lives and to have captured a small part of this beautiful story through my photography and paintings.
~Richard Ramsey