Curtis was diagnosed with hearing loss as an infant. This early detection allowed Curtis and his family the opportunity to address his hearing loss and develop effective ways to communicate and adapt to his surroundings. After several years of attending the Montgomery County Public School’s auditory service program in Silver Spring, MD, Curtis was mainstreamed into public school to join his hearing peers in the seventh grade.

A successful baseball, soccer, and basketball player throughout his childhood and teenage years, Curtis was named a first team All-American soccer player and served as a member of the US National Team at the 1985 Junior World Cup in Beijing, China. As a student at the College of William and Mary, Curtis was the starting point guard for the basketball team.

Curtis excelled in many sports; however, his talent on the baseball field soon outshone his other strengths and he was signed by the Montreal Expos in 1993.

Overcoming obstacles since birth, Curtis continues to inspire those with hearing loss, especially young people, to dream big and refuse to be defined by their limitations.

In addition to his professional baseball career, Some of Curtis’ accomplishments include:

• Coach of Gallaudet University baseball team
• Member of President Obama’s Presidential Delegation that attended the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London
• Member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition in 2011
• Founder of the Together with Pride foundation, which works to create programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing children that highlight the importance of education and self-confidence.