From Obstacles to Political Victory, by Kevin Nolan Sr.

How does someone go from being a young child at a strict school to being a successful politician? Kevin J. Nolan Sr., the nation’s first born-deaf city councilor and one of the nation’s first deaf people to serve on jury duty, shares an entertaining narrative that explores the highs and lows of his life. Kevin attended a private school for deaf students where he used his keen sense of humor to entertain others in an era when use of sign language was prohibited on campus.

At home, Kevin was frustrated by his family’s continued denial of his being deaf. Lonely, he often ached to return to school where he could communicate with friends who were like siblings. Bringing a unique perspective having worked at five schools, each using varied communication modes, Kevin captives the reader with stories of how he went from shunning sign language to embracing it.

The many obstacles he faced at home, at school, in the working world and the campaign trail are traced in this autobiography. As a trailblazer, Kevin has devoted his life to promoting equal opportunities for deaf people. This story is one of perseverance, determination, and sheer willpower to rise above his critics and reshape the public’s mindset about deaf people’s capabilities.