THE DEAF SAY THE OSCARS PROVIDED MORE THAN JUST ENTERTAINMENT. THEY SAY IT SENT A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THE WORLD. BEST PICTURE BEST ADTEDAP SCREENPLAY BEST SUPPORTING AC TOR. THAT IS THE FOOTPRINT LEFT BY THE FILM CODA AT THE OSCARS. >> AHHHH I REALLY LOVED IT. I ENJOYEITD REPORTER: DESTINY MENDEL IS A STUDENT AT WPSD. SHE WAS BORN WITH HER HEARING BUT LOST MOST OF IT DUE TO A PROGRESSIVE HEARING LOSS CONDITION. IT IS A GENETIC HEARING DISORDER FOUND IN HER MOTHER’S SIDE OF THE FAMILY. AS FOR CODA IT STANDS FOR CHILD OF DEAF PARENTS. IN THE MOVIE A GIRL IS THE ONLY HEARING MEMBER OF A DEAF FAMILY. NENDEL SAYS THE MOVIE STROLYNG REPRESENTED THE HERSELF AND ETH DEAF COMMUNITY. >> I DON’T SEE MYSELF AS DISABLED. I KNOW I CAN DO ANYTHI.NG IF PEOPLE TRY TO SUPRESS DFEA PEOPLE, AND SAY NO, YOU CAN’T DO THAT, YOU CAN’T DO THAT, I TELL THEM, KNOW, I CAN. >> DEAF PEOPLE ARE TOLD THEY CANNOT DO THIS, THAT OR THE OTHER, AND THAT IS NOT TE.RU REPORTER: WPSD TRANSLATOR JOSHUA WALTERHOUSE WAS A CODA. >> IT SHOWS A SUBSET OF AMICANER PEOPLE, AND REALLY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD, WHO HAVEEEN B SUCCSFESULLY RAISED BY DEAF PARES.NT REPORTER: SO WHEN CODA THE MOVIE CLAIMED THREE CATEGORIES AT THE OSCARS MENDEL WAS DELIGHTED. >> TYPICALLY, DEAF ACTORS ARE OVLOEROK.ED THEY WERE REALLY RECOGNIZED, AND TO SEEHE T AWARDS AND ALL ETH PEOPLE THERE REALLY WATCH AND ENJOY THE MOVIE, IT WAS AMAZ
'CODA' wins big at Academy Awards, leaves strong impression on Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
"I don't see myself as disabled. I know I can do anything," said 18-year-old Destiny Mendel.
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Updated: 7:20 PM EDT Mar 28, 2022
One movie captured the heart of 18-year-old Destiny Mendel more than the others."CODA" was announced as the winner of three categories at the 94th Academy Awards, and Mendel says she was especially proud."I really loved it. I enjoyed it," she said.Watch the report from the school in Edgewood: Click the video player above.CODA is the acronym for "child of deaf adult," and the movie focused on the life of a teenage girl who was the only member of her family who isn't deaf.Mendel, a senior at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, says the movie sent a powerful message to the world while representing the deaf community and herself."I don't see myself as disabled. I know I can do anything," Mendel said. "If people try to suppress deaf people, and say no, you can't do that, I tell them, 'No, I can.'"Watching "CODA" win Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor brought Mendel a tremendous sense of delight."Typically, deaf actors are overlooked," she said. "They were really recognized, and to see the awards and all the people there really watch and enjoy the movie, it was amazing."
EDGEWOOD, Pa. — One movie captured the heart of 18-year-old Destiny Mendel more than the others.
"CODA" was announced as the winner of three categories at the 94th Academy Awards, and Mendel says she was especially proud.
"I really loved it. I enjoyed it," she said.
Watch the report from the school in Edgewood: Click the video player above.
CODA is the acronym for "child of deaf adult," and the movie focused on the life of a teenage girl who was the only member of her family who isn't deaf.
Mendel, a senior at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, says the movie sent a powerful message to the world while representing the deaf community and herself.
"I don't see myself as disabled. I know I can do anything," Mendel said. "If people try to suppress deaf people, and say no, you can't do that, I tell them, 'No, I can.'"
Watching "CODA" win Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor brought Mendel a tremendous sense of delight.
"Typically, deaf actors are overlooked," she said. "They were really recognized, and to see the awards and all the people there really watch and enjoy the movie, it was amazing."
