Cheryl McCoy-Gealey: The Cayman Islands Pioneer Who Shaped Grace Byers’ Success

Cheryl McCoy-Gealey stands as a groundbreaking figure in the Cayman Islands, known both as a tireless advocate for deaf rights and as the mother of actress Grace Byers. Her life demonstrates how personal challenges can transform into powerful advocacy that shapes communities.

Early Life and Overcoming Challenges

Born as the eldest child and only daughter of Bodden Towners Harry and Theoline McCoy in Bodden Town, Cayman Islands, Cheryl McCoy-Gealey faced significant challenges from a young age. At just two years old, she lost her hearing due to pneumonia.

Growing up deaf in the 1960s Cayman Islands meant facing a world with limited resources for individuals with hearing loss. Her parents were among the first people on the island to advocate for the education of children with disabilities. When they sent Cheryl to boarding school in Jamaica, they were ridiculed for “wasting hard-earned money” to educate their deaf daughter.

This parental support proved invaluable. Their unwavering belief in education’s power would set the foundation for Cheryl’s remarkable achievements.

Parents:

• Harry McCoy (Father) – Early advocate for disability rights and accessibility in the Cayman Islands
• Theoline McCoy (née Conolly) (Mother) – Pioneer in advocating for children with disabilities

Daughters:

• Grace Byers (born July 26, 1984) – Caymanian-American actress known for her role as Anika Calhoun in Fox’s Empire and Quinn Joseph in Amazon Prime’s Harlem
• Faith Gealey-Rochez – Senior speech-language therapist with Health Services Authority (HSA), Team Lead for Speech and Occupational Therapies, Deputy Chairperson of Cayman Islands National Disabilities Council, founding member of Caribbean Speech and Hearing Association

Both daughters grew up bilingual in American Sign Language (ASL) and English, creating a unique communication environment that shaped their careers and advocacy work.

Breaking Barriers in the Cayman Islands

Cheryl became a trailblazer for deaf individuals throughout the Cayman Islands. She quietly championed her own independence by becoming the first deaf person to work for the Cayman Islands Government, the first deaf person to vote in a national election, and the first deaf person to obtain a driving licence in the Cayman Islands.

Each milestone represented more than personal achievement. These accomplishments challenged societal assumptions about what deaf individuals could accomplish and opened doors for others facing similar barriers.

Building Community Support

Recognizing the need for organized advocacy, Cheryl helped establish the Cayman Islands Deaf Association (CIDA). This organization became a vital resource for deaf individuals and their families across the islands.

Through CIDA, she worked to create awareness programs, promote sign language education, and collaborate with government departments to improve accessibility. Her leadership inspired a new generation to take pride in their deaf identity and advocate for equal opportunities.

Important Life Events

• Age 2: Lost hearing due to pneumonia complications
• Childhood: Parents sent her to a specialized boarding school in Jamaica despite community criticism
• Young Adulthood: Broke multiple barriers as the first deaf person in the Cayman Islands to work for the government, vote, and obtain a driver’s license
• Family Life: Raised two hearing daughters as a deaf mother, teaching them American Sign Language from infancy
• Advocacy Work: Founded Cayman Islands Deaf Association, transforming support for the deaf community
• Recognition: Awarded the Cayman Islands Medal of Honour for Community Service for contributions to society
• Ongoing Influence: Daughter Grace Byers published a bestselling children’s book, I Am Enough, inspired by mother’s teachings; daughter Faith Gealey-Rochez became a third-generation disability advocate

Raising Grace Byers

Cheryl raised two daughters: Grace Byers, a successful actress, and Faith Gealey-Rochez, a speech-language therapist. Grace’s parents are deaf, so she learned sign language to communicate with them.

Growing up in a household where sign language was the primary form of communication shaped Grace profoundly. She learned American Sign Language before spoken English, developing strong non-verbal communication skills that later proved invaluable in her acting career.

Grace published a children’s book titled ‘I Am Enough’ in 2018. The book is based on her experiences of being bullied as a child for having deaf parents. She wrote the book to empower children to love and accept themselves.

Grace’s Career and Her Mother’s Influence

Grace starred as Anika Calhoun in the Fox music-industry drama series, Empire, from 2015 to 2018. In 2021, she began starring as Quinn Joseph in the Amazon Prime Video comedy series, Harlem.

Grace frequently credits her mother’s strength as foundational to her success. The resilience Cheryl demonstrated in navigating a hearing world as a deaf individual taught Grace valuable lessons about perseverance and self-acceptance.

The book I Am Enough became a New York Times bestseller and won the Goodreads Choice Awards for Picture Books, demonstrating how Cheryl’s parenting philosophy resonated with families worldwide.

1960s-1970s

• Lost hearing at age two after pneumonia
• Attended a boarding school for the deaf in Jamaica
• Graduated at the top of the class despite limited resources

1980s

• Became the first deaf person to work for the Cayman Islands Government
• Achieved the first deaf person voted in the Cayman Islands election
• Obtained the first driving license for a deaf person in the Cayman Islands

1990s

• Co-founded Cayman Islands Deaf Association (CIDA)
• Began advocacy work for sign language interpretation in public services
• Raised daughters Grace and Faith in a bilingual household

2000s-Present

• Received the Cayman Islands Medal of Honour for Community Service
• Continued work with the National Disabilities Council through daughter Faith
• Participated in international conferences on deaf education and disability rights
• Mentored young deaf leaders across the Caribbean

Faith’s Continuing the Family Legacy

Faith Gealey-Rochez, who joined HSA in 2008, is a child of deaf parents; she intimately knows the significant connection between the ability to communicate and quality of life.

“I decided to pursue a career in speech pathology at the age of 14, and I’ve never looked back,” Mrs. Gealey-Rochez stated. “As a third-generation disability advocate within the Cayman Islands, I am passionate about ensuring that my patients receive the highest quality care that is ethical, culturally responsive, and evidence-based.”

Faith serves as Team Lead for Speech and Occupational Therapies at Health Services Authority, Deputy Chairperson of Cayman Islands National Disabilities Council, and founding member of Caribbean Speech and Hearing Association. She received the Young Caymanian Leadership Award in 2017-2018 for her mentorship work.

Continuing Advocacy Work

Cheryl received the Cayman Islands Medal of Honour for Community Service, recognizing her substantial contributions to society. Her work extends beyond the Cayman Islands, as she has participated in international conferences and collaborated with organizations focused on deaf rights and inclusive policies.

Her grandfather, Harwell “Harry” McCoy, was a huge advocate for accessibility within the islands. He pressed for ‘blue spot’ parking for people with physical disabilities, all while having mobility issues himself due to a spinal injury.

The McCoy-Gealey family represents three generations of disability advocacy, with Cheryl’s parents initiating change, Cheryl expanding it through deaf rights, and Faith continuing through speech therapy and policy work.

A Lasting Legacy

Cheryl McCoy-Gealey’s influence reaches far beyond her immediate family. Through her pioneering work in government, her advocacy for deaf rights, and her role in establishing support organizations, she has transformed opportunities for deaf individuals across the Cayman Islands.

Her story demonstrates that barriers can be dismantled through persistence and courage. By achieving multiple “firsts” in her community, Cheryl created new narratives about what deaf individuals can accomplish.

As both a community leader and a supportive mother, Cheryl has shown that advocacy and family success are not separate pursuits but deeply connected. Her dedication to accessibility, education, and equal opportunity continues to inspire new generations of advocates working toward a more inclusive society.

The McCoy-Gealey legacy lives on through Faith’s work at Health Services Authority, Grace’s advocacy in entertainment, and the countless individuals in the Cayman Islands and Caribbean who have benefited from Cheryl’s unwavering commitment to deaf rights and disability advocacy.