Be Awesome

So where do I begin?

This was something I’ve thought of for a long time and never really expressed to anyone about it until a few days ago. Fortunately, I’ve received a ton of support to move forward with this. Because I’m awesome. No really. I’m damn awesome. Support systems are what keeps you going and maintain your awesomeness.

If you’re a deaf person like me, you’re faced with discrimination. Every. Single. Day. Even subconsciously. You’re aware of it but have a hard time because NO ONE wants help. Why? Because they don’t know how to. It’s harder for you to try to explain because they’re NOT YOU. They don’t know you. They don’t care enough to. They have no respect. They’re having a bad day. Let’s see what I hear on a daily basis. They’re pretty wonderful comments. Ready?

“You have an accent, where are you from?”

“How long is this going to take?”

“Do you have something in your mouth?”

“How long have you been doing this?”

“How are you here?”

“Why don’t you have cochlear implants?”

“If you have hearing aids, why do you talk funny?”

“How come you don’t sign?”

The list goes on and on and on. We all have bad days. I get it. I really do. But guess what? NOBODY CARES. I plow through day by day and still keep a freaking smile on my face. (Some days with tears in my eyes.) People have no idea what really goes on inside our heads. The constant daily struggle of how low people make you feel even the tiniest bit, you freeze and crumble. There are worse things in this world than to make people feel like shit. Be awesome in life. Lend a helping hand to an elderly in a wheelchair trying to put two cases of water in their cart. Be kind to the person in front of you in line trying to write out a check for groceries. Help a mother with a crying baby at the store reach for a formula to feed her child. Let the driver in rush pass you. Be kind to the person who didn’t hear you and repeat calmly. Help a neighbor find her missing dog. Donate to society in need. Take a step back and try to understand.

Be kinder. And you will be awesome.

Now to finish my coffee and workout.