Author: Saida

Like your heart is beating too fast. Worst of all is feeling like you are stuck in a black box and cannot get out.

Sometimes I wonder, what is it like to listen, to have the ability not only to hear but to also comprehend words while someone speaks. What is it like to listen without filling in the blanks, reading lips, and dealing with deaf anxiety? I sometimes even try to imagine what my favorite song actually sounds […]

One of the main challenges for us in the deaf community is when we ask for closed captions and, instead, they give us sign language interpreters. Then, when we ask for a sign language interpreter, they give us closed captions. This is what I would describe as inaccessibility. Closed captions and sign language are not […]

Can you hear in the dark? I can’t!  When the lights are off, my communication tool—which relies on visual sight since I’m deaf—is taken away. That means I can’t hear you in the dark.  No matter what you’re saying, if the lighting is dim or totally dark, I’m not listening. It’s nothing personal—I just have […]

How do you know when someone has called your name? How do you know it’s your name?

Being deaf is part of our identity, just like your race, culture, and gender is part of yours.

I said, “I’m sorry, can you repeat that again? this _ _ _ w_e_ done _ _ _ this _ _ _ _ day _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ n . _ _ Science?”