When my mom was begging for guidance, she was told
she is not d/Deaf enough
When I started wearing hearing aids and looking for my place in the world as a child
I was not d/Deaf enough
As my hearing dripped to nothing, and I wanted to go to college.
I was not d/Deaf enough
As I found my place as teacher even though I struggled to find a job because I was deaf.
I still was not d/Deaf enough
As my students, parents, and staff accepted me as a teacher. To the outside world.
I was not d/Deaf enough.
As I make the choice for cochlear implants and embraced my journey into this world.
I was not d/Deaf enough.
As I support the ASL/CI and oral deaf community and families rights to make a choice for their child.
I was not d/Deaf enough.
As I put my blog on DeafRead, it is censored because I wear cochlear implants.
I am still not d/Deaf enough.
As I wake up from my peaceful sleep, I ponder why am I not d/Deaf enough for some. Then it hits me..........
Big D, little d...we all begin with d/D....
I am me, I am d/Deaf.
I am d/Deaf enough for ME.
Don't let others pass judgement on you. Accept, embrace, and make a differences for future d/Deaf children. Practice diversity and inclusion.
13 comments:
Hi Valerie, it takes a D/d person to discover DeafRead. You discovered DR too because you happen to be D/d too.
I only discovered your blog on DeafRead - it hasn't been censored.
You can hide the blog and remove the blogs you don't want to see.
thanks Lane - I found you on DR too. so glad I did.
Cool!
Your beautiful poetry touched me so much!
Oh, Valerie. I realllly LOVED your poetry. I like the way you encourage in a very postive way at the end!
Very well said, Valerie. I wonder about being d/D and how my blog is being received on DeafRead too.
Sarah
Hi Valerie,
I'm glad you're here with me, as a little d Deaf person. I am inspired by your posts. Just knowing you've lived through the same thing as me helps.
Sarah-- I LOVE your blog and I'm so happy youre here too!
Wow! Your a poet and I didn't even know it! I was so impressed because this carries such a profound meaning...
The next Emily Dickinson has now arrived! :)
The interesting thing about this posting is that it happen at 3 am. I did not envision it as a poem. I can see why it is, but it was just words in my head. I had to get up and write it. More like a calling.
so thank you all! I love my place and my group. Thank you for allowing me to share it with you.
Abbie - maybe you are sending me your words in my sleep?
Very insightive blog. The 'problem' now is, will you be labelled as D !! As the deafhood thing, suggests how we blog (CI wearers/HI/Acquired deaf)< that we are the primary travellers on the journey to deafhood, NOT Them ! I'm not D/d enuff either, isn't it great :)
Very nice Val...I'm impressed w/your skills!! More will come, maybe next time it'll come at 3 pm instead of 3 am. Unless your husband's still waking you anyway to rub your head *grin*.
THANK YOU!!!
Hi Valarie, I so enjoyed your poem. Amazing stuff!
I see that you had a visit with Jennifer, that must of been great! She is quite a spark plug.
Your posts are inspirational to me and I hope you continue to write amazing things in your journey. I get so much from you!
Thanks for doing this blog!
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