JON'S JOURNEY - BEING MAORI & DEAF MADE ME A TARGET

The Auckland sign language tutor has overcome enormous challenges

If Jon Tai-Rakena wanted to, he could probably write a book about resilience. The 36-year-old has certainly had to overcome a fair share of hurdles - not only is Jon deaf, but he also suffered sexual abuse and bullying as a child. As a result, he was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression.

"It's been a long journey to get to where I am today and to develop a strong sense of self," admits Jon, who works as a New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) tutor in Auckland and has recently started studying for a law degree.

The oldest of seven children, Jon lost his hearing after contracting meningitis when he was six months old. Although several family members learned to sign, life was tough for Hamilton-born Jon.

"I didn't have access to TV or radio because there weren't as many interpreters available as there are now. I missed out on a lot of information and conversations because I didn't know what was going on. I'd sit at the dinner table asking what family members were talking about and they would say, 'We'll tell you later, but they never did."

From the age of three, Jon suffered sexual abuse from family members, which led to suicidal thoughts.

"When I was about 13, nothing was going right for me," he recalls. "Along with the abuse and violence I experienced at home, I was also dealing with the possibility of being transgender.