A Great Story of Perseverence

Deaf Boothwyn resident Matthew O’Brien will realize a lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter
Patti Mengers, Of the Times Staff
10/02/2006

UPPER CHICHESTER -- Inscribed on orange paper taped to Cole and Pattie O’Brien’s kitchen calendar is a date that has their 20-year-old son, Matthew, grinning from ear-to-ear. "Oct. 10th -- Matthew swear-in -- 7:30 F-C Fire House," is the message that caught his eye about a month ago.

"He asked me what it meant," said Cole O’Brien.

What it means is that Matthew will realize a lifelong dream of becoming a fireman, no small feat for a person born profoundly deaf.

"I’m happy, excited," said the Boothwyn resident, communicating via sign language and handwritten notes with the help of his parents.

He will be the first deaf volunteer of Lower Chichester Fire Co.-- Station 39, the second known deaf member of a Delaware County fire company, and among about 15 known deaf firefighters in the nation.

"I like the hat, the coat, the boots and truck," said Matthew who already has a used helmet and other gear that has been passed onto him over the years by his soon-to-be fellow firemen.

Since he was a small child, Matthew has been a familiar face not only at Lower Chichester Fire Co., but at Boothwyn and Reliance firehouses in Upper Chichester as well as at Marcus Hook Fire Co.

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"He wanted to be a New York fireman since we can remember, since he started playing with fire trucks. Since 9/11, that’s elevated even more," said Mr. O’Brien

Matthew has a collection of "FDNY"T-shirts and caps. His favorite TV show is "Rescue Me," a series about New York firefighters inspired by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He constantly reads about firefighters at the library and on the Internet.

Since he was age 2, Matthew has attended Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia, where he completed his high school requirements in 2004 and will finish his vocational training program next June.

As part of his curriculum, he has worked at various Philadelphia Fire Department stations, mopping floors and doing other chores. Since last spring he has been working as a cafeteria aide in the Chichester School District, first at Hilltop Elementary School, now at Marcus Hook Elementary School

Matthew said he likes his current job, but would still rather be a New York firefighter.