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The 19th Letter: Crisis Identity


"I'm like hearing person if I can hear and talk."
"You're not Deaf, you'll become hearing person."
"You cannot speak sign language because hearing people can't speak sign language."

All conversations and memories into in my mind I was like believe those conversations. I hadn't time to think. However, I still confused how to get those hopes. Do I will become hearing person? Do I will speaking? Why wouldn't be speaking sign language which itself Deaf language? I didn't know. I felt like forced to doing which I really didn't know why.

They believing that because of God message and it be might because of professional people who have their experience to working those cases. I still believe in God actually but I'm a rational person always like something makes sense and never believe the conspiracy. I was going to doctor and some places. Then, how the result? It wasn't according their hope. I still being Deaf. Deaf totally. There wasn't no change to hearing person. It was kind of destiny to me from God. 

At seven age, I try to talking with hearing people to using oral method. And more, more, more. I still failed and felt couldn't be speaking with oral again. They also didn't understand me. That was difficult. I feel there was solution. I hate that. 

To be honest, I chosen sign language and being a Deaf person because of my experience as a Deaf person. I know there are people don't agree my decision but this is who am I. I have rights to choose one of those communication choices. I know many communication choices not only oral method. So, I chosen sign language. If I meet with hearing people, I will use my cellphone or write a paper to them. If they can speak sign language, we can speak sign language. That is my way to communicate with hearing people. 

Finally, my identity is to being a Deaf person. I'm proud of that. Everyone must respect and understand who am I. I hope so.

"This is who am I. And, who are you?"

 Alice Wong, Asian American disability activist.


Thank you, everyone!

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