Yip, you're welcome to call me strange....for many reasons, but in this particular case, for calling my deafness, my superpower! Yes, I know, some people refer to it as a disability, and as far as the Receiver of Revenue is concerned, I'm SO deaf, I'm disabled! However, I think it's only a disability if you name it as such. The truth is, it has taught me so much that I rather think of it as a super power!
I can hear you wondering what on earth being deaf can teach anyone. Well, I will try and describe the most valuable lessons.
I've learnt to be tough. You know that thing they talk about...the thick skin! I'm a pretty sensitive soul, but my deafness has taught me to not take things personally. Just to let things roll off of me like the proverbial water off a duck's back. It has taught me that the general population is exceptionally judgmental...and quick to judge at that! They are very quick to judge you as really stupid or very rude....they don't seem to consider for a single moment that you're deaf and may not have heard them at all. That's ok, it's their issue, not mine. Their loss, for not getting to know who I am. LOL!
I've learnt that my little family are totally amazing individuals! My kids, having grown up with a deaf mom since birth, know exactly how to communicate with me successfully. They just know they need to get my attention first, then what follows my be normal human speak, or it may consist of a manic combination of signs...which produce, not only near perfect communication, but often many laughs too! Kids are awesomely creative! They truly keep me sane! My poor husband, I nearly drove him off the rails, but he colluded behind my back with my audiologist and got me a really powerful hearing aid. Something without which I'd be a complete recluse and he would be insane! Best surprise gift ever!
I've learnt even more patience than I was naturally blessed with! With myself and with others. When you're told in your early twenties that you not only have an inherited, progressive deafness, but that it has affected both your ears aggressively, you kind of give life a good think. You learn to become completely non-judgmental. The cliche that each one of us is fighting battles that nobody knows about is too true. It's taught me to have patience with my fellow man. You know that guy that you kindly let into traffic that doesn't bother to thank you....well, maybe is deep in thought about his dying mother. You know that patient that comes in and is as rude as all hell...well, maybe he is just angry at life because his wife is dying of cancer. Maybe tolerance is a better word than patience.
It's taught me creativity. For example, I only wear my hearing aid at gym if I'm doing an actual class. Otherwise I take it out.....then I would dread seeing anyone I know, as without my aid I'm totally useless at having a conversation. Well, I'm the lip-reading queen, but still, I dread it totally and completely. So enter the earphones and music. I plug in my earphones, turn up the volume...yeah, way louder than you can handle :), put my head down and voila! People don't talk to you!
It's taught me that my sense of humour is totally precious! Sometimes the things I think I hear are absolutely hysterical! I hang onto that laughter....because the fear of actually not hearing music or hearing my childrens' laughter, or the birds tweeting or the kettle boiling or my dogs barking or a million other things is just overwhelming.
It's taught me love. My friends are my treasure. The people who accept me and love me, deaf as I am, are my rocks. I will always remember bitching to a friend of mine, complaining that people just start talking to me, even if I'm looking away from them, launching into a conversation. Then when I don't respond, they have a complete hissy fit and accuse me of not listening, etc. This friend simply said "then they don't understand you". I cannot begin to stress enough how important these amazing friends of mine are! Social gatherings are a total nightmare for me. It always involves meeting new people and usually loud music and various competing noises. It takes every ounce of my concentration and energy to maintain "normal" communication.
It's taught me that my pets are such beautiful souls. They don't care that I'm deaf. They just love me. When I am alone at home, they instinctively stay around me. They let me know the minute anyone is close to the front gate and also by their reaction, I can tell straight away whether it's friend or foe.
It's taught me huge self-respect. Wow! I'm actually okay - deaf or not. I've managed to hold down a full-time, pretty responsible job for more than a decade. I've managed to hone my other five senses to assist me with day to day living.
As strange as it may sound, I am thankful to my deafness. It's taught me far more than it's taken from me.
