Silence is Golden - But My Ears Still Hear
So how do I communicate with people? Or how do people communicate with me? My only means of communication now at the moment is in writing. I have a small note pad and a pen always in my car. I bring it along when I visit the doctors for my check up, or when I know I’m supposed to me someone. If these people know my condition that’s fine, they know how to respond. If not then some of them will take my note book and write back to me. I have to tell them that I am not deaf, I only can’t talk but I can hear. And they feel so embarrassed. I think some people feel uncomfortable with me because they don’t know how to react to me. I don’t blame them. Or some of them even though they know I can, they try to talk to me with signs, until I have to remind them that I can HEAR! But the best was this old friend who was at a birthday party. We were all talking and me writing as usual. Then she looked at me and was amazed that I could learn to read lips so well in such a short time. I have to tell that I can hear – I don’t have to read lips! Then she laughed and said “Aiyah, I forgot that you cannot talk but can hear lah!” Even until today, even though some of them know I can hear they still forget and communicate with me with signs.
And also most of the time when I go to a shop to buy something, I have to point to what I want or talk, hoping they can read my lips. Normally they have no problem understanding me. But the problem is they answered me by pointing to what I want or show some kind of signs. Most people think just because you can’t talk, you can’t hear too. Then I have to point to my ears to tell them that I can hear. Yea I put people in an uncomfortable position. Sorry guys!!!
June 11th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
gosh…i pity ur predicament….why some ppl dun understand?
June 11th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Its ok. I’m getting used to it. Just that sometimes it can be quite frustrating.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
You are a good writer and so even you can’t talk, you express yourself very well and I think that’s the most important. Take Care.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Thanks Dominic for your kind words and encouragement. God bless!
April 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Hi there bro,
here i am in Milan Italy, surfing the net, looking for stuff and one thing led to another and it led to your blogsite. good to know you\’re hanging in there. I read through some of your postings and it is by no means a small feat what you\’re going though. it\’s an ongoing battle and i\’m sure you\’re the victor.
God bless.