Sometimes the most powerful messages aren’t the ones you can hear.

One such message comes from deaf activist Nyle DiMarco. Addressing the crowd gathered in UK’s Kincaid Auditorium Tuesday night, DiMarco stood confidently and comfortably in front of the crowd and shared his experiences, his family’s experiences and the constant struggle with disability and deafness. Yet above all, his one clear message was that of hope, and the belief that one finds ability within disability.

DiMarco was born into a multigenerational deaf family. He discussed with the crowd the many trials that this caused for him, including the difficulties of growing up in such an environment. These struggles were not incredibly prominent to DiMarco, however, as he claimed to always feel confident, comfortable, and independent in a hearing world due to being aware of his deaf identity since birth.

This confidence is clear through his many accomplishments. DiMarco has acted on shows like “Switched atBirth,” and competed and won America’s Next Top Model and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, making him the first deaf winner of both competitions. He also holds a degree in mathematics from Gallaudet University, claiming that he wanted to be able to teach math to deaf children.

DiMarco’s true passion lies with the deaf community. As a deaf activist, he discussed his connection with the cause and his desire to continually help “bridge the deaf and hearing communities.”

His message clearly defined the realities of growing up and, above all, succeeding in a hearing world. Instead of looking upon his deafness as a disability, he said he chooses to see it as an asset.

“If you want to thrive in life, you must embrace who you are,” DiMarco said to the gathering of UK students.

DiMarco has used his position to his advantage and started the Nyle DiMarco Foundation.

“The deaf community has always been there for me,” DiMarco said. “This is my chance to give back to it.”

The foundation serves to enrich the lives of all deaf people and their families and to provide them resources that can aid them.

DiMarco hopes to stand as a testament to the success that all disabled individuals may achieve. He believes that anyone can achieve what he has and more, and that accepting who you are is the first step.