My Story: As you can imagine, being born hard of hearing was something my family was not prepared for. Both of my parents
are not considered hard of hearing in any way, so after my diagnosis they immediately
embraced the newfound way that they would raise their first child. They
researched multiple resources, took me to countless doctors, signed me up for
speech therapy and so much more. I remember my mom arguing with a doctor who
claimed that my hearing loss would continue to decrease, and I needed to be put
into a deaf school instead of receiving a public education. However, that
doctor did not know my mom, she always fights for what she believes in and knew
more options were out there. My parents searched for the best educational
program that offered speech therapy because they knew that I was able to communicate,
I just needed some help. Before I started grade school, a teacher would come to
my house and work with me on basic speech skills. She would encourage me to
build the confidence I needed to be successful in life. My parents’ choice to
mainstream my education was the best decision and helped shape me into the
person that I am today. I attended public school, played at recess,
participated in sports, joined clubs, made lasting friendships, and formed a
life for myself- just like every other child. Of course, I experienced the
typical bullying and shaming because I was “different,” but I always found ways
to overcome those obstacles. As I continued through school, I had access to additional
resources and accommodations as needed. I was the kid who sat in front of the
classroom so I could hear the teacher, asked a thousand questions to ensure I
was understanding a topic, stayed after class to make sure my notes were
accurate, and took studying very seriously. My education was not easy for me as
I worked very hard to overcome my comprehension issues, which is still a
constant battle. I wanted to prove to the doctor who told my mom that I needed
to be in a deaf school that he was wrong. I also wanted to prove to myself that
I am not different from anyone else. My entire life has been living proof that
if you use the resources that are available to you and work hard, then you will
come out on top. I never allowed my hearing loss to define me, but I also did
not lose sight of who I wanted to be. Today, I am so proud of the path my
parents guided me down.
Here's some help: If you are a parent of a child with
hearing loss and unsure on the type of education they should receive, I encourage
you to do your research and ask questions. There are a lot of options out there that can guide you through whatever choice you think is best for your
child. If you have a hearing loss yourself, I encourage you find your own path
and challenge yourself to overcome the obstacles you face. Everyone is
different and learning comes in all shapes and sizes, but how you handle those situations
makes all the difference.
