A few days ago, a new client asked me about my hearing loss and asked what was the hardest part of being half deaf.
I smiled at him and said, “The hardest part of being deaf is hearing people.”
He laughed and then we had great heart to heart talk.
There are things that hearing people take for granted that I don’t – going to the movies, calling for a doctor appointment, listening to a voice mail message, eavesdropping on a stranger’s conversation.
I explained to him that the therapist that works for me is also deaf and he was surprised. He asked how I found another deaf person in Rockwall.
Here’s the thing, y’all…Hard of hearing and deaf people are everywhere. This is the “hidden” disability, often misinterpreted as not speaking English, stupid, rude or snobbish.
None of which is true but if someone comes up behind me and says something, I’m sure I appear that way at least until I sense their presence.
Then last night my son said something profound to me.
“It’s a harsh world when you’re unable to hear well.”
He spoke the truth so well.
It is as harsh world when people see your deafness and write you off immediately instead of looking past the inconveniences that it comes with and seeing the benefits.
That’s why I always take the time to talk to people about deafness so that i can change the misconceptions that people have.
Sit down close to me so it can read your lips and let’s talk about hearing people, deaf people and how we can change the harsh world to a much better one… It can be done! #WalkWithLove #deaftherapist #AVA
Jeanna' Soul 