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Archive for July 30th, 2007

My Journey Into Deafhood: Rising From The Ashes, Finding New Wings ~

Posted by LaRonda on July 30th, 2007

(Ch. 40 of my story of my journey into Deafhood…)

There are many moving stories in the late-deafened community about the life-altering experience of losing one’s hearing as an adult. Yet, we don’t often hear stories of what it is like when a teenager loses his or her hearing. I associate losing my hearing at the age of 17 with the legendary Phoenix. Legend says this mythical bird sets itself on fire and then rises from its own ashes, born anew. For in the days ahead, following the illness that took my hearing, the person I knew myself to be would disappear, and along with the profound discovery of silence, a new identity would emerge.

My Journey Into Deafhood: The Pity Date ~

Posted by LaRonda on July 30th, 2007

(Ch. 37 of my story of my journey into Deafhood…)

While I was still recovering at home, a close male friend of mine came to visit me. My friend has graduated a year ahead of me, and though we hadn’t seen much of each other over the past year, we had remained in touch. He had learned of my illness through mutual friends and made an effort to come out to see me. He was a really nice guy and a good friend. He took me to a prom once and we had a great time, but neither one of us had ever taken a romantic interest in each other. Our relationship had remained platonic.

Photo by: Salim Fadhley

My friend came into my room and sat down in a chair at the foot of my bed. He attempted to talk with me, but we were unable to carry on a two-way conversation. Our uneasiness grew. I could see him become more uncomfortable. Finally, he asked me through gestures to find him something to write on. He was the first person who resorted to writing notes with me to communicate after I had lost my hearing.

My Journey Into Deafhood: If You Just Believe ~

Posted by LaRonda on July 30th, 2007

(Ch. 36 of my story of my journey into Deafhood…)

Photo by: “malik m.l. williams”

One day while recovering at home, my mother came into my room with a razor and a plastic bin of warm water and soap. She had come to shave my very, hairy legs! It had been a month or more since I had shaved them. Even though I knew she had done this many times to her patients, it was weird to have my mother shave my legs. I was amazed at how she could get my legs wet over the plastic bin, and not get a single drop of water on my bedding. As she smoothed the soapy water over my legs, she mentioned that one of my aunts had asked her if I might come to her home one evening that next week and meet some more people from her church who had been praying for me. These people had heard of my recovery and very much needed to see the result of their prayers and God’s miracle.