Here’s a story you don’t hear very often about a deaf person’s rise to professional status as a deaf race car driver in a world dominated by hearing professional race car drivers. This is a story about luck and lots of determination. This is about Greg Gunderson's rise to the top and his lucky number 39 race car.
Part I: The Interview With Greg Gunderson.
Greg Gunderson was born as the only child with hearing parents. He was born deaf and the cause of his deafness is unknown but his two other cousins of his are deaf. Genetic? Who knows? While Greg grew up he attended the South Dakota School for the Deaf (SDSD) from kindergarten through 12th grade. Also, he attended regular school at the same time. From grade 7 to 9 he attended Whittier Junior High and then attended Brandon Valley High school. He attended fulltime from kindergarten through 6th grade and then began splitting his time between SDSD and regular school. He graduated at Brandon Valley with a high school diploma.
Over time, just like many deaf and hard of hearing people, he was discriminated against sometimes on purpose or unknowingly just because of his hearing loss. This was a common theme of his while growing up and during his adult life although it was never enough to discourage him and ruin his spirit. And Greg makes the case that
Deaf people tend to have two families; the real blood family and a BIG deaf community. Deaf people also share more feelings with other deaf individuals than their own hearing family members. I have attended many deaf people’s funeral this year and I noticed that more than 95% of audience is DEAF. Deaf people usually are there to support other deaf people when they need.Greg Gunderson graduated from Gallaudet University on May 1991. He was a member of Class of 1990.
Greg was then asked a personal question whether if he would want to become hearing and why?
I always have different answer to that question everyday, depending on how things go around me. I often would like to be a hearing person to have the better job opportunities and equal respect.And then followed with a question whether if he prefer to have Deaf or hearing children.
I am blessed that my two children are hearing. My one daughter has one deaf on left side and hearing on right side so she is an unique!One question was asked that every Deaf daughter or son would wish to have, do you wish that your parents were Deaf?
For the communication/emotional needs, yes I wish they were deaf because they will understand me.The ability to communicate with their own hearing parents have always been a problem among deaf and hard of hearing children. Greg's father didn't know how to sign or fingerspell. His mother made her own homemade sign language while growing up.
With the issue of cochlear implants being somewhat controversial nowadays, Greg offered his on opinion on the subject.
I will support when the deaf people who make the option of taking a cochlear implant. I will not support the idea of someone who force the deaf person to take a cochlear implant.Greg then described the three most important things as a Deaf person when it comes to equality.
Equal access, Equal opportunity, and Equal respect. Because we all are the same human beings and we just can’t hear.Here's a popular question among deaf people that was asked of Greg. If you had a choice, would you rather be Deaf or Blind?
My first professional career was the Deaf-Blind Program Specialist and I worked with many deaf-blind clients. I also went to Helen Keller National Center for three weeks training. Many of them came from many different backgrounds. I noticed when they were blind first then deaf later, their choice would be blind. Same for deaf people, their choice would be deaf. I personally prefer to be deaf so I can RACE. I also can be more independent by driving to any place where I need to be at by myself. I also can go shopping, can look at the pictures, can watch the movies, can play many different sports, and many more.Here is the rest of the interview that was done over AIM.
Kokonut Pundits: Well, I’m certainly glad that you are one of the 50 drivers for the Racin for a living.
Greg Gunderson: Yes, it is very exciting and it is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! And I don't want to miss that chance.
Kokonut Pundits: Oh, yes, a very rare opportunity. But how did the people of “Racing for a Livin” contact you?
Greg Gunderson: I saw the promotion in several different racing forums with the sign saying "Drivers Wanted". Anyone can be member on many different racing forums. I have been reading and posting a few messages in racing forum and saw that topic "Drivers Wanted" and it explained about new the reality TV show.
Kokonut Pundits: I see. So, it was a lucky day for you to see that "Driver's Wanted" posting?
Greg Gunderson: Yes, you are right that it is lucky for me to see that posting!
Kokonut Pundits: What were the qualifications?
Greg Gunderson: I can't remember all qualifications but you have to be between 18 to 45 years old to apply and must have some racing experience. I applied online with a few questions and then they emailed me with attachment of forms. So thick of forms!
Kokonut Pundits: Ha ha
Greg Gundrson: So many questions! I had to tell them everything what I did in my life. They asked me who was my favorite elementary teacher, and why? What kind of personality do I have? What racing success do I have? How I started racing? Did I play sports? Etc. And did I get arrested? Of course I told them of course NOT!
Kokonut Pundits: Ha ha
Greg Gunderson: Asked me about hobbies, so forth.
Kokonut Pundits: You never gotten a speeding ticket?
Greg Gunderson: Ha ha. I told them that I had a few of them. And they laughed about it. Then I mailed out the forms with pictures, copies of newspaper clips, and video of my racing.
Kokonut Pundits: So, how long did it take for them to tell you that you were selected among the 50 drivers?
Greg Gunderson: I waited a few days, got an email from the director. He had a few more personal questions to ask me. Then the next day, he emailed me saying "Congratulations, you are one of top 50!"
Kokonut Pundits: A few days later...wow, that was fast.
Greg Gunderson: I was 12th person notified being one of top 50. Of course I was soooooo shocked and sooooo happy about it. I found out at midnight and I couldn't wait to tell my wife next morning as she was sleeping. I couldn't sleep overnight that night! I was too happy to go sleep.
Kokonut Pundits: Did you call your friends and families? Did you wake up your wife?
Greg Gunderson: No I waited patiently until morning to tell her the news! She at first thought that I was teasing. And then she was surprised and was very happy for me. I couldn't sleep for next a few nights.
Kokonut Pundits: When was this announcement made on? April Fool's day?
Greg Gunderson: On my birthday, February 20th.
Kokonut Pundits: Wow...that's a really great birthday present!
Greg Gunderson: Yep! Then I shared with my family and friends. Of course, they couldn't believe it.
Kokonut Pundits: Did they think you were teasing them, too?
Greg Gunderson: They thought that I was joking. And they also couldn't believe that they picked me because I haven't raced since 2000. Then all top 50 finally got picked by middle of March. Then voting started on March 28th.
Kokonut Pundits: Yes, I heard about you around April. Really, you haven't raced since 2000? But you have been practicing, right?
Greg Gunderson: Last time I raced sprint cars was in 2000 and last time I raced ATV was in 2002. I have been working out and I hope I will do some "Sub" driving this summer to prepare myself for TV show. I don't think that would be any problem. I took three years break between 1997 and 2000 and I won first race on 2000 on my comeback.
Kokonut Pundits: Do you consider yourself as an amateur race car driver or a professional one?
Greg Gunderson: Professional
Kokonut Pundits: Are there other deaf race car drivers beside you?
Greg Gunderson: Before the voting starts, I knew about 6 deaf drivers. Now I learn about 10 more new deaf drivers
Kokonut Pundits: Professional or amateur deaf drivers?
Greg Gunderson: Few are profesional and most are amateur.
Kokonut Pundits: Did they also apply for the "Driver's Wanted"?
Greg Gunderson: They didn't tell me that they applied for. I know some of them told me that they wish they knew about it. I told them that they will have other one in 2007. They can apply in January 2007.
Kokonut Pundits: That's sounds like a good opportunity for them in January. It could get interesting next year with more deaf drivers applying for the show next year. I encourage every deaf drivers to apply.
Greg Gunderson: There were 4500 applicants for this first show and only 50 picked out of 4500.
Kokonut Pundits: 4500!!
Greg Gunderson: Wow, that was tough screening for them!!
Kokonut Pundits: Did you tell your wife that you applied for the "Driver's Wanted" or kept it a secret?
Greg Gunderson: Yes, I told my wife and I can tell that she didn't think that I would be selected.
Kokonut Pundits: Ha ha...doubting Thomases.
Greg Gunderson: *laughing* I am very excited but I also am nervous.
Kokonut Pundits: I wrote a blog about how I see a trend in reality shows where there are deaf competitors.
Greg Gunderson: I read that.
Kokonut Pundits: The first one was Christy Smith. On Survivor. Then we had a few more with the current one on TUF3.
Greg Gunderson: Yes, I watched Christy in her whole series of Survivor.
Kokonut Pundits: I think this is a very positive sign that people are interested in watching deaf people compete in reality shows.
Greg Gunderson: Yes, that is very true, to boost TV rating.
Kokonut Pundits: Yes. I think tv producers and directors now realize that having a deaf contestant is a plus for them and makes the show much more interesting to watch.
Greg Gunderson: I hope this director do see that.
Kokonut Pundits: Yes, I believe so.
Greg Gunderson: Voting has been very challenging. I have been up and down in the ranks.
Kokonut Pundits: Yes, many deaf and hard of hearing people are committed to get the word out as often as possible to make sure your poll ranking stays high in the top 15.
Greg Gunderson: I hope I could finish in top 5 by July 31. Then top 15 and other 5 from wildcard (total of 20) will have two days of testing to pick 12 of them to be on 3 months of show.
Visit Kokonut Pundits and read Part II: "Terrible Crashes of Lucky 39" with photos!
Check out past and current Greg Gunderson blog reports by Kokonut Pundits.
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