Deaf & CODA contestants Rob and Corey McArthur places 3rd on “The Amazing Race”
Renca Dunn, Daily Moth Reporter: As you know, the Daily Moth has been reporting about a Deaf father with his CODA son- Rob and Corey McArthur, as one of the contestants on the TV show, “The Amazing Race” Season 35, racing to win $1 million. After traveling over 23,000 miles in 8 countries and 19 cities, Wednesday night was the finale and they placed 3rd.
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At the end of the show, Corey mentioned that he is really happy to see that people saw how his Deaf parents raised him and the special connection he has with his parents with using ASL as the core. We did ask them what inspired them to apply for the show and they told us that there was a hearing mother with a deaf son on season 14 and they won 3rd place as well.
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So, that encouraged them to apply. Now, this is an interview with Rob and Corey and their experience being on “The Amazing Race.”
Rob McArthur: It felt really good but of course, we are disappointed at not winning the top prize. But we are proud that we finished the entire race and arrived at the finish line.
Corey McArthur: Yes, I agree. Obviously, it’s definitely tough to be so close to winning, but what’s nice is that after the show is posted on TV, we can process these emotions. We also look back on so many experiences that were positive. That beats everything.
Renca: It was fun watching both of your journeys and the father-son relationship. You both represented the Deaf community incredibly as a CODA and a Deaf person. You talked about sign language and the Deaf community and being raised by a Deaf father. Have you had any fans who may be hearing parents of deaf children or maybe they’re CODAs reach out about getting a new perspective on things or feeling inspired? Do you have any comments on that?
Rob: Yes. Many reached out saying we inspired them to learn sign language and to be able have relationships with their children. That’s a powerful impact. It feels really good.
Corey: Yes, I agree. Many CODAs told me that they loved our relationship and that how I looked was just like their upbringing. They loved seeing their representation.
Renca: What was your favorite challenge? And which challenge was the most difficult?
Rob: It’s easy to pick my favorite. Skydiving. Jumping out of that plane in Sweden. It was champ. It was also my first time experiencing that. I want to do it again so badly.
Corey: I agree. I was nervous doing that at first but he was very confident. When I jumped, the sensation was amazing. You can’t beat it. It was so beautiful, seeing everything and the sunrise. That was the best.
Rob: Now the worst? Hmm.
Corey: It’s easy for me. It was the dancing challenge with balancing the pots on the head. It was impossible. And you saw that I can dance just fine, but the head balancing part threw me off. Maybe you dropped me when I was little and bent my head? I don’t know!
Rob: I love him!
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Renca: If, if the story ended differently and if you both finished in the first place with the $1 million prize, what would you have done with the money?
Corey: Travel more!
Rob: Travel more? Absolutely. Also, I wanted to buy a RV so I could tour America. Also do some international traveling, of course.
Corey: Yes. Take the family on more trips.
Renca: And you did win the Fiji trip!
Corey: Yes!
Renca: Do you both plan to go by yourselves or will you take the entire family?
Rob: We have to bring the family. My wife and younger son contributed just as much. So they got to go on the trip! I appreciate their support.
Renca: I saw many different comments and saw that many people were rooting for you both because they loved your energy and your bond. If you could describe your bond throughout the trip, what is one word that you could use to describe your bond?
Rob: Just one word? That’s difficult.
Corey: I think one word that stands out to me is equal. Because when we started, he didn’t say, “I’m your dad and the boss!” He said he trusted my advice and ideas. We were a team so we were equals.
Rob: That’s right. We had a discussion and I expressed that although I’m the dad, but we are sitting down as adults and that I respected his thoughts and his decisions. I wanted for us to be a team. That’s the whole point. So he’s right, we were a team.
Corey: And as a son, that was very uplifting. I’m grateful for him giving me that power to feel that I am contributing. I’m not just someone who is just obedient. I am working with him. I think when we work as a team, we are the best.
[End interview]
Renca: Thank you Rob and Corey for your time. Congratulations again on placing 3rd! We asked what is next for them, and they said they hope to be on “The Amazing Race- All Stars.”
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robandcorey/