The last several years have taught me that in life, we all experience a challenge that shapes our journey. For me, an experience that shaped my journey happened in 2013 when I was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
While in grad school I visited the campus clinic to report allergies. It was an appointment that led to the stunning discovery, one that left me in shock, devastated, and grieving for seven years.
For more than 15 years before my diagnosis, I struggled in every area of my life as a result of not fully understanding speech. Unfortunately, I had no idea it was related to hearing loss.
In church, I couldn’t understand the sermons.
At school, I worked three times as hard to keep up and excel.
Professionally, I worked overtime on many occasions by taking work home.
And socially, I isolated myself from many of my friends.
In 2021 I discovered the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the nation’s largest nonprofit organization representing 48 million people with hearing loss. The discovery not only helped me understand that I am not alone in this journey but I also learned coping strategies that have helped with my emotional journey.
In June 2021, I was honored to have been appointed as a Board of Directors of the HLAA. And today, I am again honored by the opportunity to share my story in the Organization’s quarterly magazine. I hope you will be able to get a copy of the magazine and that my story will be an inspiration to you and your journey.
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