Teachers/staff members in high school thought that I would never succeed in college, but I have proven them wrong. As a matter of fact, going to Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) changed my goals in life. I began to see that I needed to change people's attitudes toward disabilities and break down the barriers between the Deaf and the Hearing Communities. I realized that I needed to teach people that everyone, disabled or not, can succeed.
I can barely scratch the surface regarding what I have done for my immediate community. I have tried to bring the Hearing and Deaf Communities together with the help of the Internet, by organizing social events such as gatherings at the bookstore every Thursday night. More importantly, I speak to the hearing community about deafness and how successful I have become regardless of the barriers I have had to face and still face today.
In 1995, I first began speaking to adults who were taking American Sign Language (ASL) in non-credit classes associated with MDCC. From that point, I was motivated to create public awareness about deafness and to communicate to those who were struggling like myself.
When speaking in public, I always stress that I do not see myself as having a disability even though Hearing-Impaired is one of the twelve categories under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, I do see myself as someone who has a language and learning difference but is still very successful.
While at MDCC, I participated in workshops for visiting high school students with Learning Disabilities by speaking to them about my strengths and weaknesses. I explained that everyone asks for help when they need it, and it is not something to feel ashamed of or to feel different from others. I used myself as an example of an individual who faced many challenges, and with the help of other individuals, succeeded.
Since then, I have spoken in front of many undergraduate and graduate classes at Barry University and in high schools around the area. When I lecture, I also stress that being treated equally is something we all need to demand. I have tried to get people to understand that we, Deaf, do not want pity nor do we want to be treated any differently. We can succeed regardless of what some people believe. I place a lot of emphasis on how it feels to not be treated equally in any aspect of life, school, sports, family, etc. I ask the students how feeling "different" affects their studies, their relationships with their peers, their relationship with family members, and their self-esteem. Speaking from my heart at all of these places has taught me about leadership, strength, and being a positive role model for all students, some of which have already told me that my words and my emotions have inspired them to overcome their barriers.
Even professors at Barry University (Miami FL)have told me the same thing. I cannot express my feelings and my emotions when people tell me this, because some of these individuals do not even have a disability.
Attending Barry University has changed my life tremendously. It has taught me about being independent and about being a true leader. I have become involved in so many organizations, which I previously thought was something I could never do. I am currently involved with the Campus Activity Board, Kappa Delta Pi, Council for Exceptional Children, Barry Education Association, and Alpha Gamma Delta.
Last year(1999), I also served as an Student Orientation Services leader, and helped my friends in setting up the now offered American Sign Language classes at Barry by getting petitions signed.
Being in all of these activities has allowed me to teach everyone about deafness, dealing with an interpreter, and working together as a team with someone who is Deaf even when the interpreter is not around. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to lead other students into awareness of disabilities and how to overcome their fears of differences. Having the opportunity to be involved and meeting more people has also touched, changed, taught, and influenced me. I have become a stronger, more motivated, and more responsible individual through my interactions with everyone.
Sometimes I reflect on how much I had to struggle to accomplish all that I have and to become who I am today. I am a strong determined individual with numerous positive qualities and a great deal of self-confidence and - I never give up until the job is done. All of my accomplishments have made me a known leader in my school and community.
