He doesn't understand 'can't'

Zachary Trevathan has never heard the sound of his mother's voice.

Or the latest cut by rapper Eminem. Or cars as they cruise the streets on Amarillo's southeast side.

Still, he's lucky.

He also has no idea what the word "can't" sounds like.

Trevathan will be among the hundreds of Caprock High School seniors who will receive diplomas Saturday.

"I'm an independent man," the 21-year-old says through an interpreter. "I'll always be independent and do for myself."

The cards were stacked against Trevathan at an early age.

He was born with profound deafness. That means his ears cannot detect even the loudest sounds.