The Carpenter Boy
To Vasil Panev — a person we will always look up to in the sky
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
E.E. Cummings
The second boy of the second wife, the youngest of four.
His sisters adored him, his brother was cold. They lived
a farm life — cows, hard work, and songs. He was a lively boy but suddenly fate decided to play a game — the one of silence. He lost his ability to hear but kept his life.
How does a boy feel coming out of this?
There was not much choice afterward. They sent him to the big
city to live and study in the school for hearing impaired kids, where
years later he would come out as a professional carpenter,
surrounded by good friends, in love, and eager to explore a young
man’s future.
His and her parents built them a house in the city. Barely finished
they dropped the keys off and wished them good luck. The moment
the two were alone she thought they will somehow manage a simple
life, after all his hands were hardworking. Carpentry was fun but his
heart was pounding for other things. Slowly his schoolmates moved
to their birthplaces. Keeping in touch they always talked about
making a change. It took them a few years to coordinate and slowly
build a network of local chapters for deaf all over the country. The
goal was to unite, to keep together, and to support each other in any
way possible. An empire was growing. They had schools, culture,
factories, holiday residences, money in the bank. Union money, not
private. Everyone could get a job, get support if needed, seek
interpretation, legal advice, physical help, whatever had to be done.
Nobody questions help.
The drive was huge and the stakes were high. He traveled a lot in
his new role of second head in the world. Advocacy was his
persuasion and human rights was his vision. It didn’t stop with the
deaf, it was all levels and kinds of challenges. In his mind, people
deserved to be respected, equal, empowered. He was changing the
system.
Success and envy go together. When there is one, the other is
following closely behind the back.
When tragedy hit the family hard, he was hosting a huge event.
Thousands came from all over. This was special, almost unseen
during the Communist years. His younger son died suddenly but the
people were waiting for delivery. He was all broken in tears and as
hell came down on him, he stood up and delivered a speech for the
future. Everyone was waiting to hear his vision. When he finished, he
left them wondering where the courage and strength came from at
this horrible moment.
How is a broken heart split in sorrow and hope at the same time?
Time passed and recognition grew and rooted. Legacy, projects,
travels, so much work, things were constantly moving. Selfless and
devoted, he never stopped. No matter where and what he did.
Plots and coups were planned against him, conspiracies were
invented, intrigues boiled. Even his house was put on fire and
robberies were attempted.
He wasn’t afraid. He stood up and was fearless with all integrity.
Honest to the constituencies and his consciousness. There was no
taking advantage of anything. His family was as simple as the others,
struggled like everyone else, learned to live equal but different. Huge
expectations sailed against the wind to put so much pressure and
stress on them. Their lives were in the public eye, out in the open.
Nobody cared about privacy and mental health back in that day. And
he wasn’t perfect. He made many mistakes in private. But the family
stuck together and was strong as a whole.
Love prevails always.
He worked until he could not anymore. Until the legs and the
mind were not as sharp as before. He educated, preached, and
listened. He left many touched souls everywhere he went. He
changed the world of and for the deaf people. His fight for sign
language is recognized worldwide. His name is a staple for equality
and opportunity, progress and inclusion. Not just among the
Bulgarian community of the deaf but all over the world, within
diverse structures for disadvantaged people. He has numerous
awards and medals for social contribution and activism. One of a
kind tireless fighter, inspirational leader, humble teacher, and a giant
in his love for the deaf people.
Many will continue to follow his steps.
The steps of a giant — my Grandpa.
Vasil Panev was an honorary member of The world Federation of Deaf and an honorary president of the Union of The Deaf in Bulgaria.
