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Irish teen invents teddy bear to teach deaf children sign language

Kerry student in talks with manufacturing companies in the US and UK

By
CATHY HAYES,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 8:04 AM
Updated Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 10:14 AM

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A prototype of 'Deaffie Eddie Freddie'
A prototype of 'Deaffie Eddie Freddie'
Photo by Irish Independent


An Irish teenager is developing a new teddy bear to help deaf children learn sign language.

Katie McCarthy (17) has already been in contact with numerous manufacturing companies in the UK and US about the bear’s potential.

Still in development stages, the toy will allow a child to press of pictures of objects on a screen on the bear’s body and it’s movable fingers will sign the word.

"The teddy encourages children to use their other senses so I've used different materials to develop their sense of touch so it's not all just fur," McCarthy told the Irish Independent.

The idea for the project came when she was shopping for a new toy with her 2-year-old sister Aoibheann.
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"We were in a toy shop and I met a woman who had a daughter the same age who was deaf. She told me how difficult it was to get toys specifically designed for deaf children or even suitable for them," McCarthy explained.

"I was almost reduced to tears. I thought it was so sad because my little sister has so much choice."

McCarthy who attends Presentation Secondary School in Tralee has named the bear 'Deaffie Eddie Freddie'.

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13 Comments

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mary-ann | Apr 27, 2012, 10:06 AM EDT
i think this is a wonderfull product that will help deaf childreen greatly. it is great to see such a young girl with a wonderful idea!

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Mary Duffy | Apr 27, 2012, 10:04 AM EDT
I read about this product in my local newspaper recently. I think that it is fantastic that a young girl is developing her own product which will significantly help deaf children. It is great to see someone so young getting involved in entrepreneurship. I believe this product will definitely benefit deaf children.

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AoifeMurphy | Apr 27, 2012, 10:02 AM EDT
I saw this on the daily show a few weeks ago, i think its a great idea. I love how teenagers are getting more involved with current issues in Ireland, and this seems like a great product. I'd buy this product for my cousin, deaf or not :)

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Clare | Apr 27, 2012, 10:01 AM EDT
I love this idea. It is so unique and brilliant and will change how we teach deaf children sign language. Katie, you are obviously a future entrepreneur and I look foward to seeing this product in shops very soon. Well done

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Aine Quinn | Apr 27, 2012, 09:54 AM EDT
This is a great idea! I have done adapted pe with children who have hearing impairment and I can really see them loving this toy! All the best with your work, I hope you get the recognition you deserve for this innovative venture.

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Claire C. | Apr 27, 2012, 07:12 AM EDT
This is an idea of sheer brilliance! It will change my son's life and can help me communicate better with him. I'm so excited and cannot wait to see it in the market. I wish you a bright and successful future.

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TanyaB | Apr 27, 2012, 07:07 AM EDT
I think that this is a wonderful idea. and it will change my child's life :)

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Laura O Donnell | Apr 27, 2012, 07:07 AM EDT
I am a Student teacher to deaf children and I am always looking for new ways to help improve learning and communicating with them in a nicer way. When I found Deaffie Eddie freddie on the web I was really interested. I think using a teddie bear to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing is really effective. I will certainly be using it in my classroom.

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FionaHussey | Apr 27, 2012, 07:06 AM EDT
How innovative and impressive that a seventeen year old girl thought of and designed a product that will change so many children's lives.

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Mary Star | Apr 27, 2012, 07:03 AM EDT
This is a wonderful idea. I have a 10 years old daughter and this idea will change my child's life for the rest of her life time.

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John O'Brian | Apr 27, 2012, 06:42 AM EDT
This is an amazing idea. I am a councillor for deaf kids. This is a brilliant product that will help kids to express themselves in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. This idea has brought a smile onto my face.

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Anne Murphy | Apr 27, 2012, 06:36 AM EDT
I can't believe my eyes of what i have just read. This is one of the best idea's I have seen. My five year old son is deaf and I found it so hard to communicate with him through toys. All the toys either have alot of sound in which he cannot hear or the puppets that are out there are tiny and have no fingers. When your product reaches the market I will be the first to purchase it. I wish you the best in your future. I can't believe it takes a seventeen year old girl to come with this but you have a bright future ahead of you.

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NicolaMcCarthy | Apr 27, 2012, 06:29 AM EDT
This is a brilliant Teddy Bear. I have a deaf niece and didn't know what to buy her for her third christmas. This would be an absolutely amazing gift to give her. There is nothing like this in the Toy shops. I am so happy for you and hope you have a successful future

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