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Deafness Can Be a Strength
Gustavo Pedroza Medina
BEFORE YOU READ:
1. What do you think of the title? How do you think deafness could be a strength?
2. What is an assistive technology? Share some examples of assistive technologies.
3. Think about the difference between pity and empathy. Discuss.
My Ears Stopped Hearing
When I was 25 years old, I began to notice that my hearing was fading. This was not a surprise. Since I was a child, I had been warned that I would gradually become deaf.
I am not alone. According to recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.5 billion people suffer from some degree of hearing loss.
I Learned to Pay Attention
Perhaps I am lucky. In my childhood, my deafness was mild, and my faith is strong. That faith gave me enough confidence to grow like any other human being. Over time, my ears stopped hearing, but they taught me something else. Being able to hear less taught me how to listen more.
In silence, I discovered the value of attention, empathy, and authentic communication.
In my mother tongue, which is Spanish, I have perfected the art of reading lips. I develop an intimate connection with people by watching them form words and make gestures. I have to pay careful attention! I hate it when it is dark. It means I can’t read your lips. When I am with other people in dark places, I turn on the flashlight of my phone. Sometimes, it’s uncomfortable, for them and for me, but little by little they have learned how important it is to me. My flashlight is a kind of assistive technology. It helps me see lips and gestures.
Extra Effort and Empathy
The extra effort that it takes to communicate has changed some of my relationships. People around me have gained empathy. They improve their way of speaking. They don’t mind me shining a flashlight at them. They make the world a little more accessible to me.
I do use hearing aids as well. These devices have allowed me to learn English, but it costs me twice the effort.
I consider myself fortunate. I am surrounded by people who don’t look at me with pity, but with empathy. My friends are people who understand and accompany. They inspire me to continue growing. They not only listen to me, they understand me. And that, in such a noisy world, is worth more than any sound.
AFTER YOU READ:
1. What are the various ways that Gustavo considers himself lucky?
2. Read Gustavo’s poem on p. 7. How does he use figurative language to convey meaning?
Gustavo P. Medina is a student at Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago, Illinois. He is passionate about communication, and he believes in the power of empathy. His journey with deafness has not been a limitation, but an opportunity to discover new ways to see, feel, and connect with the world. He firmly believes that we all have something valuable to say, if we learn to truly listen.