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Im a 15 year old profoundly deaf girl. I am a freshman at Shorewood High School. I am oral. I thank my parents for choosing to make me be oral rather than learning sign language because I realize I can talk to anybody I want to. I can understand more people. The best thing about being oral is to have people treat me like a normal person. Learning how to talk is really hared and tough but its worth a lot to my life and my future. Michelle, freshman, regular high school. Profoundly hearing impaired.
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When I was born and the doctors had diagnosed my hearing loss, the doctor explained to my parents that I would never survive the “hearing” world and must be placed in an institution and learn to communicate by sign language. My mother, in her right mind, objected to this and sacrificed nearly all her time to teach me to listen and to speak with my hearing aids. It was tough at first because I had no concept of hearing as well as a blind person had no concept of seeing. It took my mother months and months to get me to speak and I finally spoke. Then again, it took me years and years for me to have perfect speech and Im still working on it as I excelled in my academics in public schools. Ryan, freshman, C.U.-Boulder. Profoundly hearing impaired. |
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I feel privileged to have the education that I have had an education which enabled me to grow and flourish in the hearing world. I have been mainstreamed all my life, and I was able to take advantage of some wonderful opportunities. While I was in Cherry Creek High School I participated in the Speech and Debate program, nationally recognized for its large size and topnotch quality. In such an environment, I got lots of practice and competition, which made me a better debater and a more confident public speaker. Jason, graduate, Amherst College, student, Boston University School of Medicine. Very severely hearing impaired. |
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