Deaf Author, Jo Milne, Hears Live Music For First Time At Glastonbury Festival
For a lot of people, going to Glastonbury is a pretty big deal. But for Jo Milne, it was life-changing.
The 40-year-old, who was born deaf, was invited to attend the festival and hear live music for the first time ever. And she absolutely loved it.
Milne was born with Usher Syndrome, which is a genetic condition that affects hearing, vision and balance.
In her mid-twenties she lost her sight too and, up until last year, was unable to see or hear a thing.
But after she received cochlear implants in 2014, her life completely turned around.
She revealed at the time: “Wow, it is absolutely amazing,” adding that it was the “most emotional and overwhelming experience”.
When Glastonbury organisers heard about Milne’s condition on BBC Radio 5 Live, they decided to do something rather special and invited her to the event to experience it for herself.
This year’s acts included Lionel Richie, Kanye West and Florence And The Machine.
Speaking to HuffPost UK Lifestyle, Milne revealed that her favourite act was Burt Bacharach and she was overjoyed to discover music from The Who.
“I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness all weekend,” she said.
“My newfound love of music makes me happy and has given me a new zest for life.”
Milne was also present during Lionel Richie’s performance and told BBC Radio 5 live: “I grew up knowing about Lionel Richie because my sisters used to like him…but I’m here, he’s up there on the stage and I’m watching the guy and it’s absolutely incredible.
“I remember in the 1980s in our old house and they played all their vinyl, I can always remember Lionel Richie’s face on the floor.”
Since her life-changing surgery, the 40-year-old has had to learn to recognise what sounds are and build a “sound library” in her mind.
“Hearing things for the first time is so emotional from the ping of a light switch to running water,” she said.
