by Gloria Claussen (age 12 when written)
I've been in a deaf community my whole life. My parents are deaf, so they taught me and my
brother sign language when we were babies. I lost some hearing when I was five, but I can hear some
sounds and speak, too. I like having deaf parents. My best friend is hearing, and she has deaf parents,
too. Our parents are friends, and we've known each other since we were little.
My family communicates in different ways. My brother is completely hearing, so I can talk to him or use sign language. I learned to speak by listening to my brother and our babysitters and by going to speech classes. I experience life in a way that most people never will. I like going to a school for kids who've lost hearing. I don't have to hear kids at school yelling and being obnoxious. The kids at my school are nice; they know when they have to speak louder so we can hear them. I have friends who are both hearing and deaf. We play sports, hang at the mall, and have fun—just like any other kids.
I could've gotten a cochlear implant, but I decided not to. I don't want to have a device inside my head. I think I'd have a hard time with the part that goes outside your head because I'm a rough girl. For me, it would be a waste of money. I know my friends like me for me and don't care whether I'm deaf or hearing. I'm happy the way I am. I wouldn't want to be anyone else.
Reprinted with the generous permission of New Moon Magazine. Celebrating a 12-year history of success, New Moon Magazine produces an award winning, ad-free, and multi-cultural magazine for girls ages 8-14. A girl's editorial board works with the magazine's adult staff to produce each issue.