The Article writeen by Joe R. Piros

Morris Townsend

February 2, 2022

Please remember that name. Morris Townsend, also known as Mr. Baitman

He was a deaf truck driver, operating a heavy duty tow truck on the east coast. He was the president of "Deaf Truckers United" a legal operating non-profit dedicated to allow those with hearing loss from birth, to operate a semi truck.

I'm sorry to announce, Mr. Morris Willard Townsend, Sr., 60, of Winston-Salem, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 31, 2022 at Forsyth Medical Center.

If it was not for this gentleman, I would not have this successful career in trucking. All my deaf friends kept telling me to meet this guy, because he would help me achieve my dreams in trucking.

In 2012, Morris Townsend and a group of other deaf men, joined together and met with the FMCSA with the National Association for the Deaf run by Howard Rosenblum a classmate from my high school. Howard is an attorney and works on making changes for Deaf people to have an equal qualify of life like hearing people. Morris is just a simple truck driver who wanted to keep on driving in spite of his hearing loss. Together they convinced the FMCSA to offer the "Hearing Waiver" program which is how the deaf population can legally drive a commercial vehicle.

I've chatted with him since 2014, when I first learned of the hearing waiver program at the FMCSA, I was impressed he was instrumental to convincing the FMCSA to pilot this new program. He grew up like me.... frustrated at the lack of opportunities for deaf people, always looking for ways to open opportunities for other deaf people to follow along. We both learned that the best way to solve problems is to actually speak with the management. He was an effective problem solver. We chatted all the time since 2014... I really will miss this guy. He was a true friend.

If it was not for Morris Townsend, I would never have followed this illustrious career in trucking. Please lets pay our respect to this very important gentleman. I also nominate his name to change the "FMCSA hearing waiver program", to be called the "FMCSA Morris Townsend hearing waiver program". We must never forget the man who provided the best opportunities for deaf people to do what they love behind the wheel of a semi truck.

I THANK YOU Morris Townsend. Thank you for creating this opportunity for me. I will never forget you.

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