The Deaf Bulletin 2017 Issue 5

Being Deaf.

I remember when I lost my hearing. I was ten years old that time and in grade 5. It was not easy not to hear anything. I missed the music. I couldn’t stand people staring at me. I thought they
could see that I was Deaf. I was so self-conscious. I hated being around people. It was also hard for my parents especially my dad. My dad refused to let me go to a Deaf school. It was not easy attending school without Sign language. My teacher ignored me. I could not hear well even with aid of my hearing aids. I had a tough time at school but I was determined to compete with the best. In grade 6 I was transferred to a better school and began to learn Sign language.My parents still hope that I will hear again someday. There was a time when part of me wanted to hear while the other part wanted to remain Deaf. But now I have accepted that I am Deaf. I enjoy the peace in my silent world. The only time I regret being deaf is when someone shouts at me and when my children are crying at night and I can’t hear them.

Many people know very little about the Deaf. I remember in town a woman come and started talking to me. The woman went on to talk louder attracting attention when she saw that I wasn’t responding. I remained silent and watched her talk. I was not being rude. There was no better way I could tell her I am Deaf. Then there was a funny moment when I met three women who asked me for directions. When I told them I was Deaf. They looked at me in disbelief. When I started talking one of the women started running. She stopped a few meters away, looked at me before running away again. I guess in their belief Deaf people do not speak. She probably thought was a ghost or something.

I look forward to a time when people will embrace the Deaf community. I also hope parents with Deaf children accept their children and look beyond their disability. We the Deaf people need everyone’s support not only our
parents or teachers.