In this ASL video clip, LaRonda explains more about the “Storyblog” you will see at The Ear of My Heart from now until Aug. 8th, 2007. Enjoy!
Transcript:
Hi. I hope your summer has been enjoyable so far. Mine has been easy-going and pretty laid-back.
I wanted to let you all know what’s up with me. Recently, you may have noticed several blog posts in a row from me. You will begin to notice them daily for a while. I will be sharing a brief story in a daily blog post about how I became deaf.
You will notice the first few blog posts are about my life before I became deaf – in other words, my life as a hearing person. It’s possible that some of you may not be interested in that kind of story since you might feel, as a deaf person, that it doesn’t apply to you. Yet to me, it’s an important part of my story because it show the significant transformation I made. It was truly an enormous and important transformation for me.
I am no longer hearing. I am deaf, and proud to be deaf. But life before becoming deaf is still an important part of my history – being hearing – just like you have stories that are important parts of you. Maybe you went to deaf residential schools, or perhaps you attended mainstream or oral programs. Those experiences make up part of who you are. My past life as a hearing person is part of who I am.
Anyway, you will see a few more blog posts about my past “hearing” self, and then my story will enter into the part about how I became deaf. I call those middle chapters in my story: “Deaf or Death.” My doctors were hit with important choices about whether I would be deaf or die. This is a very dramatic part of my tale. I know you will enjoy reading it. Actually, I think you will become hooked!
Anyway, I will blog on that part for a while and then you will be reading the 3rd part of my story which will talk about another transformation as I enter into deafhood. This is the beginning recognition of myself as a deaf individual, my awkwardness, my questions about how to go forward, how I changed, how I struggled to accept my deafness and for acceptance from others, the frustrations, the patience required, and then, the wisdom I learned along the way as I journeyed onward.
Now keep in mind that this story happened 26 years ago. I hope you all understand that my life now is different. I’m a different person than before. I don’t want other deaf people to hold my past experience as a hearing person against me. I hope you don’t look down on me for having been “hearing.” That’s just not me anymore. It was another lifetime, but it’s an important story for me to talk about and share with you and other people.
I really don’t have a goal in telling this story. I just wanted to share and express myself. Maybe someone will be inspired. Maybe someone will learn something, which is fine, but I just wanted to share from my heart.
Why did I start writing my story in the first place? I can look back and remember, in the year 2001, actually, around 9/11, when the Twin Towers were attacked and crumbled to the ground. I found myself knocked off balance, faltering for something to hold onto, just like other Americans then. It was then that I began asking those deep questions: “Who am I?” “What’s important in my life?” “What does the future hold in store for me?”
I wanted my life to count, to matter. So I began venting those thoughts to my computer. The more I let out those inner questions, the more I became hooked! My computer screen was like a window into my soul and I could see myself looking back. Actually, I found God looking back! It was a profound and moving experience. I couldn’t stop writing. I wrote something everyday for almost 3 years. It was then I began shaping my story about who I was and who I am now. Pretty neat.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know why you will be seeing a blog post from me, “LaRonda,” every day for a while. My chapters are brief, and while I have spilled forth a good bunch of my stories, I haven’t dumped out all of the chapters I have ever written. I’m actually saving a good deal of my writings to hopefully publish in a book someday.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy my stories and enjoy your summer.
Bye. ILY
My name is LaRonda Zupp.
I am Deaf. Welcome to
"The Ear of My Heart."
Looking forward to reading your stories!
Left by Judge on July 17th, 2007
Yeah, I noticed. In fact, I decided to read your story up to your 5 month stay at Gallaudet. Will read more today.
I have several questions. Do you sometimes miss being hearing? I noticed that music was a big part of your life and your sudden hearing loss “ripped” music from your life… it must have been awful. You did not say much about your old friends (with an exception of “pity dates”)… do you still keep in touch with your childhood/high school friends, even after you became deaf? I did notice how quickly you mastered lipreading, thanks to your singing experiences (yup, the singers have better mouth movements than talkers
) )
I encourage you to publish your life story! I smiled at your sweet, romantic story of how you first beheld Brent at the campground… *ssssiiiiigggghhhh* with a goofy smile on my face.
Left by Karen Mayes on July 17th, 2007
Hi LaRonda, I haven’t seen your vlog yet, it’s still downloading (I think my computer is slow!
) but I’ve read your transcript and it sounds very interesting! I look forward to seeing your vlogs about how you went through from hearing to deaf. Thank you in advance for sharing. 
Left by SusanA on July 17th, 2007
This is probably my first time posting a comment on your blog, but I’m a frequent visitor. Always enjoy reading your blogs and watching your vlogs. You inspire me in many ways.
Don’t let the negative judgements from other people affect you. You are one of the key v/bloggers for our Deaf community.
I’m looking forward to learn how you managed to adapt to Deafhood after you lost your hearing.
Keep v/blogging!
Left by Lee on July 17th, 2007
Good morning LaRonda!
Of course I do enjoy your stories and your video clips all the times! Oh geez, Mike Schmidt was so lucky to meet you at carwash! I have to admit you that I am so JEALOUS of Mike at carwash and other vloggers,too that they already met you! I hope someday I will meet you in person! Smile. Shawn
Left by ASLisRisen on July 17th, 2007
LaRonda –
I admire you for your courage. Your’e the fighter to identify yourself for who you are. You did not let yourself down. You have accepted for who you are.
Courageous is not easy for you to deal with. Treasure with your life is to be with your family and friends. That is where you are going to be around with. Your’e the jewel.
Teach and share with elders who are hearing loss, they will look up to you as a role model.
That is what life is full of surprises.
I am the frequent visitor in your v/blog. Your’e one of my favorites as a v/blogger. ILY!
White Ghost
Left by White Ghost on July 17th, 2007
Hi…
I have see few your vlogs and blogs..but not often.. Anyway I enjoy on your vlogs.. You still Blessing no matter what… So Have wonderful summer
karla
Left by Karla on July 17th, 2007
I surprise myself that I enjoy reading your blogs in relation to music other than the one I read about your Grammie Lee. My favorite part is of Megan falling backward, let out a scream and almost go into convulsion after Grammie Lee bucked her teeth LOL Back to music, music was never my thing. I learned what it has been for you.
I admire you for embracing your newfound deaf self and inviting yourself to the Deaf community. I was born and reared Deaf, so your experience is absolutely different from mine, but I value your presence in the community. You have so much to offer.
Left by Katherine on July 17th, 2007
Hi there,
I used to have a Deaf supervisor who became suddenly deaf overnight in her teens so she told me stories about growing up hearing and then bam becoming deaf. It was a very distressing experience but she has embraced herself as being deaf. I also had a co-worker who became suddenly deaf too, he told me stories about it, I could not believe that he was hearing before because he acted so “deaf” with his superior ASL skills.
Thanks for sharing your precious life story with us, we need stories like this as it does happen and it mostly occurs when they are in their teens.
Left by michele on July 17th, 2007
Your share of how you embrace being deaf is important to me and others from different dimensions. I met a latened deaf guy who I think he is totally cool. He said he is done with being hearing and moving on in deaf life he finds it interesting. He decided not to waste time lamenting and got a job at a deaf school. He simply went ahead and made friends. I was impressed with how he seems know when to move ahead and where to respect boundaries to give more time for “enculturation” on both sides and at the same time accept resistance without taking it personally. I can see you and he both are doing it optimally.
I look forward to hearing your stories. :^)
Anne Marie
Left by Anne Marie on July 17th, 2007
Hi, I am very intrigued by your story, thank you for sharing it. I have added you to my blog roll so I can keep up with the next chapters.
One of my students introduced me to your site. I am a CODA who teaches ASL. Thanks!
Left by Shirley on July 17th, 2007
It is always fascinating to “hear” stories from individuals who went through changes (before and after) and how it affects them no matter what the topic is.
Although your experience doesn’t apply to me but it doesn’t mean I am not interested because I want to develop a better understanding on the impact it has on people like you.
You are one heck of a beautiful soul!
Left by Barb DiGi on July 18th, 2007
Thanks everyone for your comments and for coming back for a daily dose of my story.
It gets pretty intense in the next several chapters….. While these upcoming chapters deal with the medical aspect of what happened to cause me to become deaf, those chapters that follow will tell about my transition and how I have embraced my deaf self.
Thank you for those of you who are frequent visitors. I am humbled by your loyal readership. You’re what it’s all about for me. Keep coming back.
Hugs!
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on July 19th, 2007
Sharing our stories is an important part of creating our own history.
Thank you.
Left by Virginia L. Beach on July 20th, 2007