[WingsOnFire]

Originally Posted by DamonK

I've been reading this thread quietly...

I'm in the same boat.

I have no vision in my left eye, crappy vision in my right eye.

I have very little hearing in my left ear, a bit more in the right.

If I don't have my glasses/contacts and hearing aid, I'm fucked.

So, I have problems with dizziness. I have problems with coordination. I'm a klutz. I don't fall down AS often, but just last night, I couldn't get off my front porch because I couldn't see the step. I have next to NO depth perception. Tripping is not unusual. I trip over flat surfaces.

I don't consider english my first language; american sign language is. I'm fluent in asl and english sign language (esl). I hear through vibrations.

Unless I see it, or it's a tremendous downpour, like you'll be soaked in less than a second, I don't know what rain sounds like.

You can't whisper to me.

You can't talk to my back. You'd be amazed how many people I've pissed off, thinking I'm ignoring them. I flat out didn't hear you.

Sometimes, others are stupid and think yelling is the answer. It's not. You're just pissing me off when you do that. Slow down and talk clearly. But don't slow down so much that you're ridiculous. Don't treat me like I'm an idiot. Deaf does not equal dumb. I could be smarter than you.

I need asl interpreters for school. I try to go it alone, but most times end up needing the interpreters. I get stared at when someone is signing to me. That annoys my social anxiety. It's disconcerting to be in a classroom of 50 people and 48 people are staring at you, including the professor.

I'm lucky. I've had good interpreters. One told off my entire class for doing so. Including the professor. It was fantastic.

I laugh about my .... lack of abilities.

I was lucky to be alive.

Have I told you lately how fucking proud of you I am??? Well.... I am!! You live life to the the fullest you are possibly capable of and then you reach further... I am glad that you laugh when I walk away talking to you forgetting you cant hear me from the bathroom to the kitchen... I am learning... I will continue to learn.. But I respect you... And yes, you are one of the lucky ones who are not only alive but truly thriving... You make me so damn proud to call you Daddy...


your precious babygirl... who is excited as hell that you get to go back to school!

Becca