Kevin Bubba Mr. Eagle WM 2022

Sponsored by Title Dad, Cory David, Mr. Eagle WM 2020/2021

Hello Readers and thank you for this opportunity, Dad. Since winning the title, Mr. Eagle Wilton Manors 2022, I would like to thank you for your warm embrace and love. Your support during my competition and during the first days of my title year has meant so much to me.

 This has been the most wonderful experience. I have learned so much recently hosting my first fundraiser and many more to come. I am here to understand where the community needs my support. I will continue to work hard and assist my Wilton Manors/Leather Community.

I often wondered, like most do where they work, what do they think of me? I look at the world a little differently than the hearing community. Sometimes my communication can get lost in translation. For example, when I’m reading someone’s lips, I might be smiling even though they are telling me a sad story. 

My experience as an employee of Eagle Bar WM is that they inspire me, from the staff to the management. I have never been treated differently for being deaf and their encouraging nature is amazing. It has always felt like one big family. I saw that in Cory’s joy and it’s as clear now as it was then. It’s love that we all understand and we are all in this together. That’s where it begins and then branches out to our entire community.

 I really do watch people’s body language. I read lips when they are talking and watch their facial expressions, which can also tell me a lot about the story. In the hearing world, people do this also – it’s a “subconscious support of language.”

 Cory David is my Title Daddy. We first met in 2018. I remember I loved his smile, his great sense of humor, and playful personality. I never really realized that being deaf connected us in a special way. I know this might sound strange. Well not to us anymore, now knowing that he lost his hearing at 17 in his left ear which is the same age I found my Language of Sign. We have a special bond and it’s something that connects us halfway between the hearing and the hearing-impaired worlds.

 I remember seeing Cory wearing his Mr. Eagle WM Stole with pride, always saying hello, and  being easy to relate to. I learned a lot watching him working for the community.  I saw his motivation. He is now wanting to learn ASL (American Sign Language) and I have started to teach him to sign. In our first lesson, I taught him “I love you”.

I love and thank all of you.

Kevin Bubba 

Mr. Eagle WM 2022