Sue Thomas (agent)
Encyclopedia
Sue Thomas is an American
woman who became the first deaf person to work as an undercover investigator doing lip-reading of suspects for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
.
, Ohio
. At the age of 18 months, Thomas became deaf. The explanation of this phenomenon is not definitely known. At the age of seven, Thomas became the youngest Ohio State Champion free-style skater in skating history. Speech therapists helped her develop her voice, and Thomas also became an expert lip reader.
in Massachusetts
with a degree in Political Science
and International Affairs.
was looking for deaf people. Starting out as a fingerprint examiner, she became a lip-reader for an undercover surveillance team after Jack Hogan, an FBI agent, discovered her ability. Thomas spent four years working for the FBI, from 1979 to 1983.
, created jointly by Dave Alan Johnson and Gary R. Johnson, premiered on the Pax TV first-run syndication network. The two Johnsons had previously created Doc
, also for the Pax TV network, which had starred Billy Ray Cyrus
in the lead role. Inspired by Thomas's unique job for the FBI
, the weekly drama helped to bring more awareness to the lives and abilities of those with physical challenges. The series starred actress Deanne Bray
, who is herself deaf, as Thomas, and it was loosely based on the real Thomas's experiences. At its peak, the series was watched by more than 2.5 million viewers in the United States, and was syndicated to 60 nations.
In September 2009, the show began airing on Gospel Music Channel
. In October 2009, official Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye DVDs became available. The show's website has information on the DVDs.
In addition to Bray, the cast of Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye included actors Yannick Bisson
, Rick Peters
, Mark Gomes, Tara Samuel, Ted Atherton, and Enuka Okuma. A golden retriever who responded to the name of "Jesse" stood in, during the run of the program, for the real Thomas's golden retriever, who had responded to the name of Levi. Marilyn Stonehouse served as the chief producer for the Pebblehut Productions company, through which Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye was produced.
. Living with MS became one of Sue's greatest challenges. "Fighting it is a waste of precious energy", she said in an online posting to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
's web site. "It is only by embracing my MS that I learn life's greatest lessons."
When not on the road speaking, Thomas took up residence in Vermont
with her hearing/special-skill dog, whom she trained to respond to the name of "Katie". Knowing first-hand the life-changing impact of these incredible canines, she formed plans to build a dog-training center she called "The Levi Foundation". As of late August 2009, the Levi Foundation was still in its planning stages.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
woman who became the first deaf person to work as an undercover investigator doing lip-reading of suspects for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
.
Early life
Sue was born on May 24, 1950 in BoardmanBoardman, Ohio
Boardman is a census-designated place in Boardman Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, United States, just south of Youngstown. Boardman is considered to be a moderately affluent community and is one of two major retail hubs in the greater Youngstown area...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. At the age of 18 months, Thomas became deaf. The explanation of this phenomenon is not definitely known. At the age of seven, Thomas became the youngest Ohio State Champion free-style skater in skating history. Speech therapists helped her develop her voice, and Thomas also became an expert lip reader.
Education
As the only deaf child in her public school district, Sue was misunderstood by her teachers. Although she sat in the front row so that she could see the lips of her teachers, much of what happened in the classroom was lost to her. Kids tormented her in the hallways and on the playground. But in spite of her difficulties in classrooms, Thomas graduated from Springfield CollegeSpringfield College
Springfield College is a private, coeducational university located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield College is most famous as the site where the sport of basketball was invented...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
with a degree in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and International Affairs.
Her career in the FBI
After months of job searching, Thomas learned that the FBIFederal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
was looking for deaf people. Starting out as a fingerprint examiner, she became a lip-reader for an undercover surveillance team after Jack Hogan, an FBI agent, discovered her ability. Thomas spent four years working for the FBI, from 1979 to 1983.
Writing
In 1990 Sue Thomas wrote her autobiography entitled Silent Night which became the basis for the TV series to follow.TV series
In 2002, the TV series Sue Thomas: F.B. EyeSue Thomas: F.B.Eye
Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye is a Canadian-American television series that premiered in the United States in 2002 and Canada in 2003. The show ended in May 2005 due to PAX's decision to halt the production of original programming. It was one of the two highest rated shows on PAX. In September 2009, Gospel...
, created jointly by Dave Alan Johnson and Gary R. Johnson, premiered on the Pax TV first-run syndication network. The two Johnsons had previously created Doc
Doc (TV series)
Doc is a medical drama/family drama with strong Christian undertones starring Billy Ray Cyrus as Dr. Clint "Doc" Cassidy, a Montana doctor who takes a job in a New York City medical clinic. It ran from March 11, 2001 to November 28, 2004 on PAX...
, also for the Pax TV network, which had starred Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus
William "Billy" Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon...
in the lead role. Inspired by Thomas's unique job for the FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
, the weekly drama helped to bring more awareness to the lives and abilities of those with physical challenges. The series starred actress Deanne Bray
Deanne Bray
Deanne Bray is a Deaf American actress who is best known for her role as Sue Thomas in the show Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye. She is also known for her recurring role as Emma Coolidge on Heroes.-Personal life:...
, who is herself deaf, as Thomas, and it was loosely based on the real Thomas's experiences. At its peak, the series was watched by more than 2.5 million viewers in the United States, and was syndicated to 60 nations.
In September 2009, the show began airing on Gospel Music Channel
Gospel Music Channel
gmc is an American satellite and cable television channel, known from its 2004 launch until February 1, 2010 as Gospel Music Channel. It is also available in high-definition as a separate channel called gmcHD ....
. In October 2009, official Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye DVDs became available. The show's website has information on the DVDs.
In addition to Bray, the cast of Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye included actors Yannick Bisson
Yannick Bisson
Yannick Bisson is a Canadian film and television actor.-Career:Born in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, Bisson moved to Toronto as a teenager and there he began acting lessons; he has been acting since the age of 13. His big break was in CBC's critically acclaimed 1984 movie of the week Hockey Night with...
, Rick Peters
Rick Peters
Rick Peters is an American actor. He has appeared in several films and numerous television shows, and perhaps best known for his roles as Bobby Manning in Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and Admiral Brigman in the Aquaman pilot. He also plays the role of Elliot in the 4th season of Dexter...
, Mark Gomes, Tara Samuel, Ted Atherton, and Enuka Okuma. A golden retriever who responded to the name of "Jesse" stood in, during the run of the program, for the real Thomas's golden retriever, who had responded to the name of Levi. Marilyn Stonehouse served as the chief producer for the Pebblehut Productions company, through which Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye was produced.
Multiple sclerosis and public speaking
In 2001, on her way to a speaking engagement in Dallas, Thomas felt a numbness creeping up from her fingers to the top of her head. She managed to deliver her speech to 10,000 people before going to the emergency room. It was diagnosed as multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
. Living with MS became one of Sue's greatest challenges. "Fighting it is a waste of precious energy", she said in an online posting to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a United States-based non-profit organization, and its network of chapters nationwide promote research, educate, advocate on issues relating to multiple sclerosis, and organize a wide range of programs, including support for the newly diagnosed and those...
's web site. "It is only by embracing my MS that I learn life's greatest lessons."
When not on the road speaking, Thomas took up residence in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
with her hearing/special-skill dog, whom she trained to respond to the name of "Katie". Knowing first-hand the life-changing impact of these incredible canines, she formed plans to build a dog-training center she called "The Levi Foundation". As of late August 2009, the Levi Foundation was still in its planning stages.