Model, actor and deaf advocate Nyle DiMarco brought his message of self love and acceptance to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf on Friday as part of a celebration of the school’s 150th anniversary.
DiMarco, who was born deaf, surprised students at the Edgewood school, signing on stage for about 40 minutes before touring the school and greeting students during their lunch period.
He told students there was never a time that he wished he could hear. He said, in some ways, being deaf was better than hearing and that he loved his life.
“And you, too. You can love yourselves as deaf people. You’ve got to use your differences to your advantage,” he said.
DiMarco was a winner of “America’s Next Top Model” after he was scouted for the show through his Instagram page. He was the first deaf person to compete in the show. He also won season 22 of “Dancing with the Stars” and has appeared on other television shows and in music videos.
