John McCandless was born in Derry a good while ago.

(Derry on the Map of Ireland)

At that time, Derry was part of Old Ireland.

John was sent to school in Scotland.

John's family eventually decided to emigrate to America.

It was there that John completed his studies and went to college.

He went on to attend Gallaudet College in Washington DC.

A woman fell into the water and was swept away by the rapids

in between the rocks, for about three miles.

John saw the woman in distress so he tried to save her by swimming out to her.

The woman was almost unconscious, so John stayed with her at the rock until help came.

Her life was saved.

The two Deaf men who saved her life was Mc Candless and Jaffray.

They were celebrated as heroes, much applauded by Americans.

John's first teaching job was at a school for Black Deaf children.

John spent many years in Mississippi.

John was a Protestant, a Baptist by faith.

John was an ardent Church volunteer with a ministry with Deaf people where he helped discuss Protestant theology.

He carried on volunteering for many years.