Rose Ayling-Ellis' admits she's 'frightened' as Giovanni Pernice reaches out after 'deaf cure' news

Rose Ayling-Ellis has spoken out about her feelings on the recent 'deaf cure', as Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni Pernice shows his support.

The Strictly champion posted a childhood picture of herself and shared her thoughts after news broke that an 18-month-old girl, born deaf, could now hear due to a world-first gene therapy trial, reports the Mirror.

In a heartfelt Instagram post she said: "Here is a photo of me as a toddler. If I had been born a couple of years later, my life could have been very different.

"Today, it was reported that a gene therapy trial has taken place. I knew that it was going to happen, but I didn't expect it so soon. My first reaction was feeling terrified and heartbroken. It feel like the end. Let me explain why."

She questioned, "Imagine a world where everyone is "normal". What will become of our story, our culture, language, and identity? Will we be the last deaf generation and end up in a museum somewhere?"

Rose further expressed distress, asking, "Deaf people have existed throughout human history. Who decides that their lives are not worth being integrated into society? Who assumes that we want to be "fixed"? Where will they draw the line? ".

EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis has voiced her concerns that inclusivity is at risk of being "thrown out of the window" stating firmly that she does not require "relief" from her deafness, which has opened many doors for her. She expressed: "My life is richer because of it."

She highlighted: "There are many deaf people out there that are doing great things! Why should we tell them that they are broken when, in fact, they are winning?"

Rose also criticised the timing of a certain release, noting: "To add insult to injury, this was released during Deaf Awareness Week. The week should be about embracing and spreading awareness about our culture.

Not something to overcome," before urging her followers to "respect the decision" made by the young girl at the centre of the debate and clarifying that her frustration was not aimed at the child.

In response to Rose's detailed message, Giovanni Pernice showed his support with three red heart emojis in the comments section and by liking the post.

Love Island's first deaf contestant and activist Tasha Ghouri echoed the sentiment with a heart emoji of her own.

Tasha Stone, known for being the Great British Bake Off's first deaf contestant, also backed Rose, admitting the news had "hit [her] hard". In her supportive comment, she said: "Deafness is part of me and it's something I am so proud of.

"Yes, there have been struggles (but these have mostly been due to the medical view of deafness telling me I needed to try harder to 'listen' for as long as I can remember...). I don't think I'd be as creative, as visual or 'me' if I hadn't grown up deaf. I wouldn't have the friends or the community that I have."

"So many people have sent me this article thinking it will make my life better in future and it's so disheartening to see that they think I still need fixing. They don't see my achievements or my sense of identity. My deafness makes me whole. To take that away would break me."

Opal Sandy, an 18-month-old girl from Britain, was born deaf due to auditory neuropathy, a condition affecting nerve impulses from the inner ear to the brain.

Professor Manohar Bance, an ear surgeon and lead investigator for the trial, commented on Opal's treatment with gene therapy: "We have results from [Opal] which are very spectacular so close to normal hearing restoration. So we do hope it could be a potential cure."

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