The Limping Chicken, a blog that focuses on deafness and hearing loss, posted an article titled “Why I No Longer Mention Being Deaf in Job Interviews.” The writer, who has progressive hearing loss such as myself, related her experiences with discrimination when she disclosed her hearing loss during certain job interviews. Her decision, as the … Continue reading
Filed under #StopHearingLossBullying …
Am I Hiding My Hearing Loss?
The first time I told a stranger I had hearing loss was in a Bible study 13 years ago. As a first-time attendee with a new set of behind-the-ear hearing aids, I mostly kept quiet and tried not to draw attention to myself. My hair was long, and I covered my ears (and hearing aids) … Continue reading
When You Call Me a Hurtful Nickname
This week, a child who I don’t know very well called me a hurtful name, ‘Deaf F—–‘ (Rhymes with Maggot).’ Instead of staying upset at him (he later apologized), I wrote “The Power of a Name.” You are welcome to share this with anyone you think it may help. THE POWER OF A NAME Before … Continue reading
When You Get Pulled Over and Can’t Hear: The Pearl Pearson Story
Pearl Pearson is your typical father and grandfather. He loves his family and respects the law enforcement careers his son and son-in-law pursue. Back in January, Pearl was pulled over by a highway patrolman on a traffic violation. When the officer commanded an action, Pearl didn’t respond and the situation turned violent. Police surveillance video … Continue reading
Do You Have a Fear of Failure?
I recently read a story about a woman who was afraid to jump off a cliff as part of a thrill-seeking group activity. The thought of jumping off anything, let alone a cliff, sends terror chills down my spine. You can read the story here. Since childhood, I have had a fear of leaping off … Continue reading
One Thing I Would Have Changed About School
Even though my hearing loss wasn’t diagnosed until I was 27, I remember having difficulty hearing as a child. In grade school, I struggled to hear lessons via headphones. When an audiologist tested my hearing, he told my parents I had normal hearing but had trouble paying attention. A second opinion was not sought. I … Continue reading
Deaf Awareness Week – 10 People Stand Against Bullying
As a person with hearing loss, I’ve been called ‘stupid,’ ‘horse-headed,’ and a person living in ‘La-La Land.’ I just want to be called by my name: Shanna. Or Lipreading Mom will do. And I am so not alone. Stop Hearing Loss Bullying and its video were created this year by me and 10 other … Continue reading
My Life with a Hard of Hearing Mom – Written by Lipreading Mom’s Daughter, Age 9
Life with a hard of hearing mom is not as funny as it looks. I have to tap her on the shoulder to get her attention. She is also a writing mom. My mom has to lip read me, and she can not really talk to me on the highway. I feel sad to see … Continue reading
My True Story of Growing Up with (Undiagnosed) Hearing Loss
Lipreading Mom has a big confession to make—something I haven’t revealed openly until now. I was a Lipreading Child. For years, I was a Lipreading Child who never got help. For one reason or another, my hearing loss fell under the radar and I never received help. This is the first time I have written … Continue reading
The Ultimate Bullying Target: Deaf in Prison
David Greenberg was the film editor for the Stop Hearing Loss Bullying Video. He also created one of the most compelling blogs Lipreading Mom has ever read—Deaf In Prison. It follows the stories of various inmates—deaf, culturally Deaf, or hard of hearing—serving time in American prisons. The link between bullying, crime, and imprisonment is at … Continue reading
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