Photo by: “Mariela M.”

I was not present for much of the paperwork that the ER nurse made my stepfather fill out. It was clear upon our entrance that my condition gave me the priority to be seen. Within minutes, I was whisked off to a room in a wheelchair and asked to lie down on the examination bed. It was low to the ground, rather than high up, which I was thankful for because I barely had the energy to move out of the chair and onto the bed. I rolled slowly, like oatmeal from a spoon, in one thick lump.

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Deaf, Family, Grief, Health, Hearing Loss, Love, My Story, Parenting, Support | 3 Comments »

My step-dad, Roger, had been out of work for a few weeks, as was typical for a pipe-fitter foreman in the construction trade. He was waiting to hear from his local union about his next project, but for the time being, he was home and could take care of me and my illness. He would drive me into the emergency room at the local hospital to have my rising fever checked out, and he would call Mama if things got worse. Apprehensively, Mama agreed, and reluctantly, she left for work.

Photo by: “Christia”

I climbed back in my king-size water bed, curled up in a ball, and stared bleary-eyed at the Ziggy calendar on my wall. It was July 10th, exactly one month after I had graduated from high school.

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Gallaudet, Health, Humor, Late-Deaf, Love, Miscellaneous, Music, My Story, Support | 5 Comments »