Such is the world of Palestine's Jeff Cleveland.

Despite setbacks and society-imposed limitations, Cleveland has risen above his handicap and is inspired not only his family but his co-workers at the National Scientific Balloon Facility.

Cleveland was born deaf, the result of having measles at birth, according to his mother Jacqueline Cleveland.

"I had been exposed to them while I was pregnant and had no idea," she said. "To be born with measles is very rare."

It was not until Jeff Cleveland was 18 months old that his family realized he was deaf.

"I had never heard of a child being born deaf," Jacqueline Cleveland said. "I just did not know, but when I realized what was wrong, I sought help."

Jeff Cleveland went to a school for the deaf in Dallas where he learned sign language to communicate.

"I graduated from the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin in 1987 and I was the all-state center for the football team my junior and senior year," Jeff Cleveland signed as his mother translated.

"They would hit a base drum, we would feel the vibrations and we knew that on the third hit to snap the ball," Jeff Cleveland signed. "I never dropped the ball the whole time I played and I miss playing."

He started working at 15 years old, which was before he graduated from high school.

"He worked as a dishwasher in Spring when he was 15, then started working at Kroger when he was 16 years old and worked there for a long time," his mother said.

One summer he even installed above ground swimming pools in Houston and worked in the printing department for Continental Airlines.

Jeff Cleveland came to work for the balloon base earlier this summer as a grounds keeper under the direction of facilities supervisor Dennis Ladd.

"Jeff is one of the best grounds keepers we have ever had," National Scientific Balloon Facility site manager Danny Ball said. "This is a full-time thing, we want him here as part of our employee family."

Jeff Cleveland enjoys working in the country and helping at the facility.

"I like working with Dennis (Ladd)," Jeff Cleveland signed. "He is very helpful and teaches me things.

"He lets me help paint the stairs," he signed. "And I got to help build a set of steps.

"I prefer the mowing and driving the big tractor," Jeff Cleveland signed. "I was a bit clumsy at first and very slow. I really had to pay attention. I had to learn how to get it at just the right speed to do what needed to be done."

It was the patience and kindness of his co-workers, none of which know sign language, he remembers most at his job.

"We have purchased a terminal video system that allows us to get on-line and in real time talk to Jeff and explain to him his duties and jobs for the day," Ball said. "And many of the employees are on their own learning sign language."

The language barrier between Jeff Cleveland and his co-workers sometimes makes communications difficult.

"Sometimes we have to write down what we want him to do or what we need to tell him," Ladd said. "But we are all learning how to communicate with each other.

"There is always a way to communicate, you just have to be willing to find it," Ladd added. "He can communicate to us what he wants really well, but we are the ones who have trouble telling him what we want."

In addition to the computer software, there is a book of hand signs in the break room for employees to use to communicate with Jeff Cleveland.

"A person does not realize that they live in another world and it is neat that we get the chance to enter that world," Ladd said.

The approval Jeff Cleveland feels at the balloon facility not only makes him feel accepted, but makes his mother happy as well.

"Jeff feels good about working here because the people are so accepting and as a mother makes me feel really good." Jacqueline Cleveland said. "He knows when people are trying and they really care."

By Sherryl-Lynn Williams