One of the reasons I wanted to teach deaf children was because it made me very sad that they spoke so clumsily and that they moved with less grace that I knew was possible of deaf people.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I grew up with deaf teachers, and I thought all deaf children should have exposure to deaf educators.
After becoming deaf, I realized that I'd better get an education if I was ever to do anything with my life.
Growing up, I was always involved in the deaf community.
I've always wanted to write a book relating my experiences growing up as a deaf child in Chicago. Contrary to what people might think, it wasn't all about hearing aids and speech classes or frustrations.
I am fourth-generation deaf, which means everyone in my immediate family is deaf. So I grew up always having 100 percent accessibility to language and communication, which was wonderful and something so many deaf people don't have.
When I learned to sign and speak at the same time, the whole world opened up to me. That's the beauty of encouraging kids who are deaf to use whatever it takes to communicate.
We have made mistakes. In our haste to do all things for all people, we did not foresee the full consequences of our actions. And when the people raised their voices, we didn't hear. But our deafness was only a temporary condition, and not an irreversible condition.
I'm really excited to educate the world about what deaf people can do.
Often in the past, when we have had a deaf person in the spotlight, we have been portrayed badly. It was up to me to change that.
When I was young I knew I was deaf. I couldn't accept it.