Coral Springs author Kerry O’Malley Cerra brings NASA’s overlooked history to young readers with new book about the Deaf Gallaudet Eleven
Coral Springs, Florida – A Coral Springs author is bringing an overlooked chapter of NASA history to the community this weekend with the launch of a new book about 11 Deaf men whose unusual physical abilities made them valuable to the early space program.
Kerry O’Malley Cerra will appear Saturday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at the Northwest Regional Library in Coral Springs to discuss her newest book, The Gallaudet Eleven: The Story of NASA’s Deaf Bioastronauts. The book tells the true story of a group of men whose experiences helped NASA study how the human body responds to the conditions associated with space travel.
The local event will give readers a chance to hear directly from Cerra about the people behind the story, her research and the process of turning their largely overlooked history into a book for young readers.
The Gallaudet Eleven were Deaf men who took part in NASA research because of a physical characteristic connected to their hearing loss. Their vestibular systems, which are part of the inner ear and help control balance and a person’s sense of motion, did not function normally. As a result, they did not experience motion sickness in the same way most people do.
That made them particularly useful to NASA researchers conducting experiments involving spinning and other forms of motion.
“These hidden figures played an important role in NASA’s research, and it was their shared disability that made them so vital to the plan,” Cerra said. “Their vestibular systems, a part of the inner ear, did not work, meaning they did not get motion sick. The Gallaudet Eleven were the perfect volunteers for NASA’s spinning, whirling tests to learn the effects of space travel on the human body.”
Their story is especially meaningful to Cerra because she grew up with an interest in space while also experiencing the limitations that society often placed on people with disabilities.
As a Deaf person, Cerra spent years being told there were things she could not do. She grew up near Cape Canaveral, where the country’s space program was a constant presence. Like many young people fascinated by space exploration, she dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
For Cerra, however, hearing loss stood in the way of that dream.
Years later, learning about the Gallaudet Eleven gave her a different perspective. Their story showed her that the same disability that could close one door for a person could, in an unexpected way, become an important part of what made that person uniquely qualified for another opportunity.
“Exploring the unknown—like outer space—requires strength, endurance, and adaptability: traits most disabled people possess since we navigate a world not built for us every day,” Cerra said. “Still . . . I eventually let the dream slip away. Many years later, I learned about The Gallaudet Eleven, whose hearing loss enabled them to serve NASA in ways no one else could. I imagined how much their story would have meant to me as a young person and knew it needed to be shared far and wide.”
That personal connection helped inspire Cerra to bring the men’s experiences to a new generation. Rather than focusing only on NASA’s better-known astronauts and missions, her book highlights people whose contribution took place away from the spotlight.
The upcoming Coral Springs event is designed to be accessible to the wider community. American Sign Language interpreters will be present during the program, allowing Deaf and hearing attendees to take part together.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to ask Cerra questions, talk with her about the book and have copies signed. People who already own the book can bring it with them, while copies will also be available for purchase at the event.
Cerra’s husband, Coral Springs City Commissioner Shawn Cerra, is encouraging residents to attend and learn more about the project.
“My wife Kerry is an absolute rock star in all aspects of her life,” said Shawn Cerra, Coral Springs City Commissioner. “I’m incredibly proud and grateful that she chose me to do life with. Please join us this Saturday starting at 11 a.m. She’s worked so hard on this book and for these men. It’s important for the world to know how they made history for our country. I hope to see you this weekend.”
For Coral Springs residents, the event offers more than a traditional book launch. It is also an opportunity to learn about a group of people who played a role in NASA research and whose story remained largely unknown outside specialized circles.
Cerra hopes that bringing their experiences to young readers will also encourage children who may feel limited by a disability or by other people’s expectations. The story of the Gallaudet Eleven shows that people can make important contributions in ways that may not be obvious at first.
The Saturday program at the Northwest Regional Library will give attendees a closer look at the men, the research they participated in and the personal journey that led Cerra to write their story.
The event begins at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22, with questions, conversation and book signing to follow. For Cerra, sharing the story in her hometown brings a personal connection to a history that combines disability, determination and the search for knowledge beyond Earth.
