https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl daily 0.75 2025-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/57293924-2404-4ea3-8edc-c28ce5c09c8f/Copy+of+ha.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/fcb898ff-83a0-43fc-92bc-da8d6d7047f9/discooo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1fa982e5-3369-44b6-9717-a317cd630b15/sqspc.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/a602fe81-1628-40fc-a467-d57629f08852/sqspc+%282%29.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/82e34c59-ae49-4d5f-a4dc-caa78531e1f2/sqspc+%284%29.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/508635c0-8865-47cc-848d-b6c8b93a5925/IMG_7317-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/7d215b4a-66f1-43f6-9a7f-e7323e7b5d7d/nftdg-5605.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1b1cefd0-3a0c-440f-bcf6-2d2a01012577/5T0A5599.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1705370379487-JLWCI7FBILFTZX9OGEOS/IMG_7263.JPG https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-dr-ashley-wiltshire monthly 0.5 2025-08-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/47892b89-3330-4ca1-aed5-5a1db6c5a283/image+%281%29.png For The Girl… - Meet Dr. Ashley Wiltshire. - Make it stand out Ashley is posing in front of a river and bundled up in a cozy fall outfit. She is wearing jeans, a green top and a brown coat over it. Layered on top is a beanie and a grey scarf, as well as a black hand bag and white sneakers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/23ac4d19-81ec-4156-a40e-692fb9dfb898/image.png For The Girl… - Meet Dr. Ashley Wiltshire. - Hearing Loss: A Personal Beginning For most of my life, hearing loss felt like something that belonged to my dad—a chapter in his story, not mine. My dad started losing his hearing in his mid-twenties, after a brutal case of chickenpox. By the time I came along, hearing aids were already part of his daily life. I grew up fluent in a language made just for us: a mix of lip reading, writing, and bits of sign. With no family history of hearing loss, he saw countless specialists over the years, but no one could provide a clear answer about why it happened. Eventually, he swapped out his hearing aids for cochlear implants—and just like that, another chapter of his hearing journey began. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/657520c0-7f0e-4ecb-bc10-df0bca9ad78b/IMG_9704.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Dr. Ashley Wiltshire. - Living with an Invisible Disability Navigating life with an invisible disability is a journey of its own, especially when you’ve spent most of your life appearing "able-bodied" in the eyes of society. Since my diagnosis, I’ve had to advocate for myself in ways I never anticipated. Asking for accommodations, explaining my needs—it all takes a level of vulnerability that isn’t always easy to tap into. But here’s what I’ve learned: our presence matters. Representation matters. The workplace and medical spaces are still built around ableist norms, and it’s up to all of us—those living with disabilities and our allies—to challenge that structure. Hearing loss shouldn’t be a barrier to anyone’s passion, goals, or dreams. We all deserve a seat at the table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/975c929f-cdd6-4efd-b2e3-bd1b0d1e737f/image+%283%29.png For The Girl… - Meet Dr. Ashley Wiltshire. - Fertility & Hearing Loss: An Unexpected Intersection About 48 million Americans live with some degree of hearing loss, and roughly 15% of men and women of reproductive age experience infertility. These might seem like completely unrelated challenges—but as a fertility specialist with hearing loss, I see them intersect more often than you'd think. Being able to offer a deeper level of empathy and communication to my HoH and Deaf patients is one of the things I treasure most about my work. Hearing loss can be confusing—especially when there’s no clear explanation. But the truth is, genetics often plays a bigger role than most people realize. In fact, genetic factors are believed to account for up to 80% of childhood hearing loss, and it’s also a significant contributor to many adult-onset cases. Through options like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic testing, some patients may choose to know the chances of passing on certain hearing-related genes. I’m here to offer knowledge and support so they can make decisions that feel aligned, empowered, and true to who they are. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/98b89a9b-e403-4768-8c00-f7e993f77dfe/image+%282%29.png For The Girl… - Meet Dr. Ashley Wiltshire. - Community, Connection & Pride If you’re new to the hearing loss community, the best piece of advice I can offer is this: you’re not alone. Even though hearing loss is common, it can feel incredibly isolating—especially when it’s paired with tinnitus. But we live in a time where social media creates powerful opportunities for connection. There are amazing pages, support groups, and individuals who share their stories and offer advocacy, education, and solidarity. For me, a turning point was discovering pride. I proudly wear my hearing aids. I proudly show up as a physician who is hard of hearing. And while my hearing loss doesn’t define me, it is a huge part of who I am. My hope is that by sharing my story, someone out there feels a little more seen, a little more reassured, and a little more heard. Thank you so much for reading and sharing space with me here. Be sure to follow FTDG and me on social media for more insights and conversations. And to my NYC folks—if you’re exploring your fertility journey and want to chat, come visit me at Columbia University Fertility Center. I’d love to connect! Until next time, Dr. Ashley Wiltshire HoH Fertility Specialist | Advocate | D/Deaf Girl Blogger https://doctors.columbia.edu/us/ny/new-york/ashley-m-wiltshire-md-5-columbus-cir https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-hear-hugs monthly 0.5 2025-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/53ce5267-bc22-4220-bba4-1d2b91218e83/image4+%282%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Hear Hugs - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/12ebf325-923e-4f7c-9b1b-66710efe7412/image5+%281%29.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Hear Hugs - Emily Saw A Need For Adaptive Fashion Emily, founder of the retention headband company Hear Hugs, set out to design a headband that was both functional and fashionable for her deaf daughter. “My daughter referred on her newborn hearing screening. A month later, we found out she had moderate to severe hearing loss, and two months after that, she got her first pair of pink hearing aids.” After two years as a hearing aid user, her daughter’s hearing levels became profound. She became a candidate for cochlear implants and received them around her third birthday. “When my daughter received her CIs, I quickly realized headbands were the best retention method for her,” Emily explained. “She is super active, always trying to keep up with her big siblings. When we tried other retention methods, her CIs constantly fell off.” At first, Emily purchased a few plain elastic headbands online, but she struggled to find ones that were adjustable, comfortable, and offered a non-slip grip. “I wanted a non-slip grip on the elastic so it wouldn’t slide back as the day progressed, and I wanted to ensure that the microphones on the processor would not be blocked.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/7378e694-d9dc-4d57-b58b-0eb06938ba40/image8+%281%29.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Hear Hugs - Creating Hear Hugs, A Fun Fashionable Alternative While practicality was a major factor in her design process, Emily also wanted something that felt true to her daughter’s personality—something she’d be excited to wear each morning. “My daughter was always picking out her older sister’s stylish headbands and putting them on. I wanted her to be proud to show off her headband and her CIs.” As other parents began noticing the custom headbands and asking if Emily sold them, Hear Hugs was born. Emily launched an Etsy shop, and her three children helped come up with the name. With a background in Neuroscience and Occupational Therapy, Emily worked for ten years in an inpatient rehab facility before focusing on her business. She’s also a creative at heart—enjoying time at home with her kids (and two cats!), cooking up new recipes, painting, and sewing. Creating Hear Hugs has allowed Emily to combine her professional experience and creative passions into something deeply personal and rewarding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/b7b8e7c4-a924-4960-8cc8-aabc6c4e71f4/image2+%284%29.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Hear Hugs - Changing The Narrative One Design At A Time “We have had lots of ups and downs and lots of emotions throughout her journey: I am so proud of my daughter. She is turning into a confident and proud Deaf girl and was my inspiration for starting Hear Hugs.” Each Hear Hugs headband is custom-made to order and can be designed to support bilateral CIs, unilateral CIs, hearing aids, or bimodal users. There are currently seven styles and over 30 fabric options to choose from—including their newest aqua headband, released just in time for summer! Emily and her daughter continue to challenge industry norms by making necessities feel natural—empowering users to express both their personal style and deaf identity with confidence. Hear Hugs brings a fun, fashionable spin to adaptive fashion. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-the-williams-hd6al monthly 0.5 2025-08-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/f75e0311-f63e-4842-8642-cfa3b51970a0/unnamed+%284%29.png For The Girl… - Meet Alli & Poppy. - Make it stand out Alli (on left), Poppy her service-dog (in middle), and her husband (on right). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/94a5336f-1cf4-4339-b0db-fe0690afa444/unnamed+%282%29.png For The Girl… - Meet Alli & Poppy. - I have not been hard of hearing for my entire life, but most of it. When I was 8 years old I had surgery to put tubes in my ears, which would help with my chronic ear infections. After the tubes came out my ear drums never healed properly causing me to have no ear drum in my right ear and it only being scar tissue and only having about half of my left ear drum, because of this, it caused hearing loss. I got one hearing aid for my right ear, as that's mainly where my deficit was, when I was in 7th grade. I was so embarrassed and thought I would be bullied for having a hearing aid so I rarely wore it and when I did, I would do anything I could to cover it up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/0479e5ce-4b86-4ff0-9ebf-8ab6ae312733/unnamed+%281%29.png For The Girl… - Meet Alli & Poppy. - I chose to just “suffer” and try my best to hear what people were saying, especially in school. That changed once COVID-19 hit in 2020, I was just starting college and everyone was wearing masks. I felt very isolated and realized how much I depended on lip reading. I got a new set of hearing aids that were much more discreet and I realized what I had been missing. At this time I was living on my own with my husband and when I wasn’t wearing my hearing aids I wouldn’t wake up to anything, including my alarms, smoke alarms, doorbells, etc. This is when I researched Hearing service dogs, I applied for one and was on the waitlist for a year. Poppy and I were matched and the rest is history! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/c4eef665-b0ee-442d-8798-c730d67699a0/unnamed.png For The Girl… - Meet Alli & Poppy. - How My Life Has Changed Poppy has changed my life in many ways. The two most important ways are safety and independence. I feel more safe being home alone, especially while sleeping because Poppy will alert me to the smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors going off in case of an emergency. This leads to how I can be more independent with her in my life before Poppy I relied on my mom or husband to wake me up in the mornings as I wouldn’t hear my alarms. I feel confident that I will not miss work because Poppy is there to wake me up every day. She also will alert me to all of the kitchen appliances going off such as the oven, microwave, toaster, and air fryer. This also creates independence because I can cook things on my own and not worry about burning them, which I was notorious for before Poppy! She also knows the doorbell, door knock, and my name. If my husband is in the other room calling my name because he needs help, Poppy will locate him, come and tap me, and bring me to him, this can be helpful in many scenarios. Poppy’s newest task is to drop an object alert. For example, if I am walking in the store and drop my wallet, but do not hear it, Poppy will tap me to tell me that I dropped something and then bring me to the item that I dropped. With all of these tasks that she performs it has allowed me to feel safe and be more independent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/bb021ddd-d963-46c5-bb91-78a6c1381dcd/unnamed+%283%29.png For The Girl… - Meet Alli & Poppy. - Advice From a Service Dog and Her Handler. After receiving Poppy, I realized how much extra attention you get in public. As we ventured into public places, I saw how hard it can be when people are petting and grabbing my dog, telling me that I cannot have my dog in the store, and telling me that I didn’t “look” like I was disabled and needed a service dog. Over the past four years of having Poppy, I have learned how to navigate bringing her out and how to educate people on service dogs. If you see a service dog in public please talk to the person, not the dog. As a service dog handler, I usually have no issues answering questions about the tasks she does and other questions about Poppy, but not every handler may want to answer questions at that moment and none of us want to answer questions about why we have a service dog and “what is wrong with us”. Please be kind to us as we are also just “normal” people trying to live our daily lives with the help of our service dog. We would love to thank everyone for taking the time to read our story! We would love for you to continue to follow our journey and life by following us on Instagram @poppythepup26 . We would also like to thank @forthedeafgirl for giving us this opportunity and would appreciate it if you could give them a follow as well! https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/dhh-business-spotlight-hear-glam-founder-maia monthly 0.5 2024-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/352115d6-4c5b-4e9b-b2cc-f130f9148d1b/Hear+Glam.jpg For The Girl… - DHH Business Spotlight: Hear Glam Founder, Maia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/2d1271e6-c45e-4212-baf8-e9e3ff1b25db/s267667709728275747_p31_i2_w2327.jpg For The Girl… - DHH Business Spotlight: Hear Glam Founder, Maia - I’m @HearGlam on instagram, tiktok and you can get your very own on my Etsy store My boyfriend actually was the one who came up with the name “Hear Glam” after I told him my plan and he helped me to properly start the business. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-the-williams monthly 0.5 2025-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/bb060843-64cc-4213-a8ee-1ae2d564ab76/Meet.png For The Girl… - Meet The Williams’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/72eabac7-2bb0-4c8c-b2bb-dc6887ff2329/williams2.png For The Girl… - Meet The Williams’ - During my pregnancy, I noticed ads and received countless emails about getting my babies' hearing tested. I thought nothing of it other than, okay – I’ll do it. Little did I know, these tests would soon become a critical part of our lives. In August, our girls were born, and we learned that Parker didn't pass either of her hearing tests in her left ear in addition to her having an ear deformity, known as microtia. We were advised not to worry and to repeat the tests in a few weeks. Parker underwent a total of five hearing tests before being diagnosed with moderate to mild hearing loss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/61092ad8-d6f0-4368-b527-7091459fb8c2/Williams1.png For The Girl… - Meet The Williams’ - At first, I wasn't sure how to feel. Overwhelmed, maybe? From her NICU stay to this diagnosis, I felt sad that my little baby had gone through so much in such a brief time. While her NICU stay was thankfully very short, we now had to navigate this permanence. As time went on, I had to push through, set aside my feelings, and focus on ensuring Parker had everything she needed to thrive. By December, we were sitting with an audiologist to discuss early intervention programs, and a hearing device called the Baha Max by Cochlear, which Parker would begin using once she reached six months. Parker underwent another three hearing tests, including a sedated one, to gauge the extent of her hearing loss and to ensure her device was set correctly, continuing these tests until a little after she turned one. As for her hearing device, she doesn't wear it quite as much as she should – shame on us, but we’re working on getting better at it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/46006e34-1902-4a4f-8037-148acd56c4c5/williams3.png For The Girl… - Meet The Williams’ - My journey with ASL began about a year before the twins were born. I thought it was the coolest thing when Apple Fitness instructors signed during workouts. Later, I attended a church with worship interpreters. When we received Parker's diagnosis, while not profoundly deaf, the calling became clear. Teaching my kids ASL has sparked some tough conversations—well, because they aren’t deaf. However, I see it as a valuable opportunity for us all to learn a new language. There's no better time than now. And besides, what's wrong with learning a new language? Seeing them start to “babble” in sign makes me tear up every time! When I see someone signing, I get excited and try to communicate with them. It may not be perfect, but I’m happy to start a conversation. These moments remind me of the importance of connection and understanding. I’ve also been quite drawn to the deaf community. This vibrant community has welcomed us, and I want to advocate and be a supportive ally within the hearing community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/35f71d39-dced-487f-87b4-bde70f571a05/williams4.png For The Girl… - Meet The Williams’ - This journey has been incredible and one I wouldn’t change for the world. I've met amazing people and learned so much about myself. Seeing the impact this journey has had on the girls fills me with hope for the impact they’ll have on the world as they grow older. To any parent facing a similar journey, know that you’re not alone. Embrace the challenges, seek support, and advocate fiercely for your child. Our journey has taught us the value of inclusion, the beauty of learning new languages, and the strength that comes from community. I am passionate about deepening my understanding, challenging my perspective, and spreading awareness to those who have no clue what it's like. Our story is one of love, growth, and unwavering commitment to ensuring both Parker and Peyton thrive in their unique ways. I believe everything happens for a reason and embracing that has opened doors we never imagined. Thank you for joining me on this journey. May our story inspire you to find beauty in your own. Follow me on Instagram @_kiarakreates for more updates and to simply stay connected. Together, we can continue to build a community rich in relationships and support. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/auzi-luxury-hearing-aid-jewelry monthly 0.5 2024-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/84d12c50-d93b-4916-ae37-40f6a35daea4/IMG_1226.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Auzi, Customizable Luxury Jewelry For Hearing Aid Users - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1729832205971-P1HHH58UH6QWGOAVWTQS/IMG_2007.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Auzi, Customizable Luxury Jewelry For Hearing Aid Users https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1729832198156-V88QKZPR0RQ7DL76WHDD/IMG_0733.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Auzi, Customizable Luxury Jewelry For Hearing Aid Users https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1729832198568-NBNG3NDUU0VQ32RD1FH7/IMG_2003.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Auzi, Customizable Luxury Jewelry For Hearing Aid Users https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1729832066573-MD19MI3ZPK00DY097NPQ/Untitled+design.zip+-+2.png For The Girl… - Meet Auzi, Customizable Luxury Jewelry For Hearing Aid Users https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1729832065166-MV3E6LPL52QMQMF0DLDI/9e38ef96-5045-4d24-a99e-e89e4e865871.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Auzi, Customizable Luxury Jewelry For Hearing Aid Users https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1729832066641-R3QKHBS1N0C88OTIGEW7/Untitled+design+-+2.png For The Girl… - Meet Auzi, Customizable Luxury Jewelry For Hearing Aid Users https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/reviewing-the-deaf-girl- monthly 0.5 2024-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/62343cbc-b2b6-464b-ba10-50962a6c437f/Untitled+design+%288%29.png For The Girl… - Reviewing The Deaf Girl: ‘There Is Space For You’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-liv monthly 0.5 2024-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/282079ea-2cba-47f7-85ce-5f33dc0254ec/SeniorSession-liv-01794.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Liv. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/6028bd99-fe5f-4e72-8fc6-e0a48cc42317/Screenshot+2024-09-15+at+11.08.38.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Liv. - Discovering My World Through Sound & Dance It wasn’t until I was around 3 1/2 years old that my parents realized I was deaf. Once I got my hearing aids, the world opened up in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I couldn’t stop talking, and my love for music grew. I also danced ballet for many years, and I’d feel the music through the floor and vibrations—something I still do to this day! Music and movement have always been a huge part of me. While I didn’t grow up learning a lot of American Sign Language, I’m learning now, and I love it—it feels like a form of dance in itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/52c274cb-70ee-4c0d-ab4c-7f32ef8396c1/271084_2142762415089_6878134_n.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Liv. - The Misconceptions That Follow Us There are so many misconceptions about hearing loss, and I’ve heard them all. One common one is that deaf or hard-of-hearing people can’t talk. That’s simply not true! Some of us do speak, and others communicate using sign language or other forms. Everyone’s journey is different. Another big misconception is that hearing aids ‘fix’ everything—but they don’t. Hearing aids help, but they don’t make everything perfect. It takes effort, focus, and patience. Sometimes, I still feel music more than I hear it. But being hard-of-hearing hasn’t stopped me from loving and living through music—it’s only deepened my connection to it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/7de20300-bb47-4b0e-959c-be6442997dce/IMG_4365.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Liv. - A Message to My Younger Self Dear Little Liv, You may not understand it now, but everything that makes you feel different will become your greatest strength. The confusion you felt about why you couldn’t hear like others? That will shape you into someone who teaches the world a new way to listen. You’ll hear people say things like, “You talk so well, you can’t be deaf,” or, “How can you love music if you can’t hear it?” Those comments will sting, but they’ll also ignite something inside you. You’ll realize your love for music, sound, and dance is yours—just because you experience it differently doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Being hard-of-hearing won’t make you less; it will make you unique. You’ll learn to feel music through vibrations and dance in ways others may never understand. Discovering American Sign Language will feel like dancing with your hands, adding another layer to how you express yourself. Yes, you’ll face challenges, but they’ll only make you stronger. One day, you’ll use your story to educate others and break misconceptions. You’ll show the world that hearing loss doesn’t limit you; it empowers you to embrace life in your own special way. Keep singing, dancing, and believing in yourself, Liv—you’ve got a bright future ahead. With love, Older Liv Thank you for reading! Be sure to follow me @o_jade_music (and FTDG) on social media to keep up with my journey! https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/dear-ava-an-open-letter monthly 0.5 2024-09-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/c4eefce0-d537-42f2-9055-85d8a3f052ab/Dear+ava.+blog.png For The Girl… - Dear Ava, An Open Letter - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/d0v9nj5wkjpqdfcpwu89g2cxgsr8td monthly 0.5 2024-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/02b78171-1e8c-4317-b719-e963481b89af/Colorful+Fun+Stars+Photo+Frame+Instagram+Post-2.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Shannon. - Hi there! I’m Shannon. Hearing loss has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad (and most of his siblings) have worn hearing aids so I assume that’s where I inherited it from. Growing up I was in denial about my hearing loss. Accepting it was a challenging process, but it has led me to a deeper understanding of myself and my strengths. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/e9cf4495-390f-4c94-a009-a4235bd38685/unnamed.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Shannon. - Earliest Memories Some of my earliest memories of my dad’s hearing aids was the ear mold was hard yet fragile… like glass. While he didn't hide them from us, it was never a topic I felt comfortable discussing with him. I was embarrassed to admit that I was having trouble hearing too. In school and social situations, I always used to think to myself “why do I hear better when I put my glasses on?” I wasn’t a bad student. I got through my grade school years by relying solely on lip reading. I look back and wonder if any of my teachers ever voiced any concerns to my parents. Once I entered the workforce, I realized that something had to give. The fast-paced, demanding environment of a job was a whole different ballgame. I felt overwhelmed, I struggled to keep up with phone conversations, and follow instructions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/5cf9ba74-041a-440e-9847-7174f93b323c/unnamed+%282%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Shannon. - Overcoming Hearing Loss in Motherhood When I became a mom, my concerns about hearing loss deepened. I worried about my ability to hear and understand my daughter's cries, her first words, and her laughter. The free pair of hearing aids I had been using was now over 10 years old and the cost of getting a new pair was more than I could afford at the time. Add to that, my daughter was born… 2 months earlier than expected. I was launched into motherhood in the NICU with a tender little 3 pound baby. During her stay in the NICU, her father and I were trying to find an affordable way to get me a new pair of hearing aids. Finally, a local owned audiologist office was willing to work out a payment plan with me and I got an upgrade. This new pair had Bluetooth capabilities which connected to my cellphone and with that, I felt better prepared for infant life with my daughter once she was released from the NICU. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/901cc04f-d51c-41fc-be90-54cbbf8dc70d/unnamed+%281%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Shannon. - Breaking the Stigma of Hearing Loss Looking back, I wish I had had more support and guidance growing up. I probably just needed someone to say it’s OK to admit to having trouble hearing. That's why I'm passionate about sharing my experience and empowering others who are Deaf or hard of hearing. It's important to remember there are resources available to help you navigate the challenges you face. It is only by sharing your story, that you can see you're not alone and you can help break down the stigma regarding hearing loss. Together, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate world for all. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-ashley monthly 0.5 2024-08-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/8d5a8a2a-9c8b-44ab-8034-1e1bd55fbb7b/Meet+Ashley.+blog.png For The Girl… - Meet Ashley. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/2caad3cc-f932-4d8d-a61f-011842922353/Ashley2.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Ashley. - The Beginning of Something Special So I was born Deaf—and my parents were clueless until one day, I was asleep as a baby in my crib and the smoke alarm went off. It was out of nowhere due to a battery or something of the sort. When they checked on me, I was still sound asleep. They didn’t think any of it and thought it was weird then shrugged it off. Fast forward, my parents went on a date to see Mr. Holland’s Opus, and there’s a part in the movie similar to what happened when I was a baby. My parents looked at each other and said “That’s exactly what happened with Ashley”. They took me to get my hearing tested and found out I was born deaf. They were freaking out, frantically trying to figure out how to give me the best life they could. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/106a7eb4-1a4c-42c9-bc6f-146119644ad2/Ashley5.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Ashley. - Accepting Who I Am Growing up, I went to mainstream school and had an IEP. I loved making friends, and playing a lot at recess in elementary school. I made a few Deaf friends and had amazing teachers that were willing to accommodate as needed, as well as amazing ASL interpreters. But I was also picked on for being different. I was embarrassed to be Deaf, especially as I went into middle school. I was afraid I’d be picked on like I was in elementary school. I never truly embraced being Deaf, being in both worlds. Yet I never felt like I fit in either world. I wasn’t Deaf enough to be a part of the Deaf world, and I wasn’t hearing enough to be a part of the hearing world. It got to a point where I was struggling mentally and was admitted to the hospital. Now, I feel like I’m a part of both worlds. I grew up with hearing aids all my life and recently opted to get a cochlear implant surgery on my right ear (my right ear was my worst ear). Once the implant was activated, everything sounded like bells and trumpets. Even music sounded that way, and I was a huge music addict. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/2772ab15-f7aa-4d50-8bbe-61c20be01ac6/Ashley7.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Ashley. - Enjoying Myself & My Hobbies It’s been almost 4 months since the implant was activated, and I’m already understanding people, depending on the background noise, with only the implant on. I still wear my hearing aid in my left ear, and the implant on my right. I still struggle with depression and PTSD today. However, I have been so much happier and love where I am. I even find myself picking up what song is playing while I’m out line dancing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/e5528b95-c0cf-4ebe-84af-089ecdaf1e31/Ashley8.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Ashley. - Finding Peace My advice to the younger deaf individuals reading this, is to keep on going. Find reasons to keep going—like waiting for the next book series, the next album from your favorite band or artist, your pet, a friend, or family. You name it. Life is absolutely worth sticking around for. If I had succeeded in attempting, I would never have met the most amazing people I know now. I wouldn’t have found a hobby I truly love. I am surrounded by the best support from the best people I know. Who cares if people are judging you, or being mean to you? They’re just jealous they can’t be Deaf like us! Be proud, you are unique and deserve the best! https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/reviewing-hits-different-true-self-love-really-does-hit-different monthly 0.5 2024-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/34a96eb4-b143-40a8-8e8c-feda148c7083/Untitled+design+%286%29.png For The Girl… - Reviewing Hits Different: ‘True Self-Love Really Does Hit Different’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-alli monthly 0.5 2024-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/38115c32-c227-4cfc-950e-8bb9b96653bd/Meet+Alli.+blog+%281%29.png For The Girl… - Meet Alli. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1554be73-2fb8-4751-ac3a-66d6d01824b4/IMG_5673.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Alli. - It was One It was at three that I was implanted in my left ear with Advanced Bionics. Before that, profoundly deaf. There was a period of time upon being born that I barely had some semblance of hearing, but it was wiped out shortly after by an ear infection. Since then, my parents were fired with the determination of having me grow with verbal access, a public school environment, constant access to accommodations and resources and an amazing support system. I was encouraged day after day to grow independent of my hearing and advocate not only for myself but the people I’m surrounded by. Since then, my confidence had grown tremendously., I learned to set aside my worries and hesitations and instead focus on my goals and dreams of becoming independent, an artist and to comfortably explore the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/3d1c6f0f-99c2-4817-abe4-550991ba0530/IMG_5685.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Alli. - And Then There Were Two By twelve, word went around that people were getting bilateral implants, some, implanted at a young age, were getting their second one upon their teen years. At thirteen, I finally got mine through Advanced Bionics. My excitement was unparalleled, I dove into hours of research, I read stories of other people’s experiences, and a speech pathologist was set up for post-activation. Activation day however, did not go as expected. What was supposed to be a slow and easy transition for my right ear to experience such senses for the first time, was instead thwarted by an unforeseen start. All sounds, all the electrodes, turned on at once. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/14041bcb-8158-41f5-8f86-22c7f39d8878/IMG_5678.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Alli. - No Longer Either Everything was okay again. In fact, I was much happier than I had been with two devices. The experience was extremely discouraging but I never let it deter me from encouraging my other deaf friends to get bilateral implants if they asked. I was already doing amazing with just one ear, already excelling beyond what I could have asked for, having a second one would have simply been an extra asset for me. Since then, I’ve traveled, learned languages, lived abroad, grew my pool of art clients, went to concerts, and stepped myself into some very uncomfortable situations for personal growth. I was thriving and fiercely independent. But by 24, my left implant failed. As alarming as this would have sounded, I was enthusiastic. This meant a new opportunity, a new company, a new device. My implant was far outdated, there were no opportunities to upgrade and my admiration for AB decreased day by day while I watched people around me excel with their new Cochlear branded devices. Due to insurance complexities and surgical failures, I was rendered deaf for several months. It was the longest I’ve gone without access to my familiar environment. With fear that I’d lose all the hard work in the clarity of my voice or lose my sense of hearing balance, I worked with my friends and family to ensure I never lost my momentum, that my voice remained clear, that I’m reminded of what I could and will hear. I just needed patience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/968fa10e-c312-47f3-934c-73a7cb26c227/IMG_5672.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Alli. - But Everything is Okay The surgery was successful (I cried with joy and excitement as soon as I woke up), the activation was successful, my hearing range had grown tremendously and my confidence exceeded beyond what I could have ever imagined. As long as I maintained confidence and spoke up when I needed accommodations or asked one to repeat themselves, I was doing things that were a world of struggle to me before. I was on the phone yapping for hours with my friends, I was attending voice-only meetings for work, I was comprehending foreign languages better, and I heard new lines in my favorite songs. Suddenly, I realized that I needed to experience a bumpy road of struggles and insurmountable joy in order for me to get to where I am. I wouldn’t change what happened then because now, I’m an artist and designer exploring the world and actively finding ways to put myself in uncomfortable (hearing) scenarios in order to grow. I gather a handful of deaf jokes daily, I educate hearing people with artistic, visual scenarios that help them better comprehend the lack of a sense that is unimaginable to them and I enhance my experience by listening to new things day by day. Because if I have this for the rest of my life, why not make it fun? https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-ava monthly 0.5 2024-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/637884c8-1166-4225-a437-52f24a3e63df/Meet+ava.+blog.png For The Girl… - Meet Ava. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/73e366d1-ed49-4948-a68a-dc12af455670/ava1.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Ava. - The Beginning Of New Difficulties At the ripe age of 7 as a first grader, I was diagnosed with reverse slope hearing loss, (a pretty awkward stage to be told I have a hearing impairment right?). I’m learning how to read, write, add stronger vocab in my speaking, and re-learn how to hear. I’ve always been a happy, go-lucky kid so none of this phased me. However, I was dealing with struggles I wasn’t quite aware of because I didn’t believe they were worthy to be acknowledged or recognized by others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/a4df4483-e1c9-460a-9630-7534daaa5163/ava2.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Ava. - The Sea of Storms What people don’t understand about struggling with hearing loss is that yes, it is pretty cool and tech-savvy that I can connect my hearing aids to my phone, acting as if they're air pods and yes, I can also tune people out whenever I want by turning them down or up. However, the difficulties behind these perks are still my reality. I’ve dealt with people who get frustrated with me for not understanding them, not including me in conversation because they refuse to repeat themselves or getting singled out because they assume I can’t function like my hearing peers. I most definitely crack jokes about my hearing loss, but at the end of the day, I still struggle—whether it seems like I do or not. Those who belittle me are the same people who have shaped who I am. Because of my hearing loss, I have grown stronger, smarter, and more confident. As I mentioned before, my hearing aids are pretty cool. They’re basically air pods. I get to listen to stream music and watch shows. Not to mention they’re noise canceling so I can enjoy the peace and quiet. Sounds pretty good to me! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/0354f55e-a564-459c-bd11-00b58cc42444/ava3.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Ava. - A Miracle Within A Struggle Although there may be many difficulties I have to face, it’s also the most beautiful and exciting aspect of my life! I get to share my experiences about growing up with a hearing impairment and tell people what my hearing aids can do and how I’m able to cope. When I was younger, I was afraid to speak up about my struggles and ask for help when I needed it, I still do! As someone who is in her twenties and has lived two full decades of life, I now take any moment I can to ask for help, ask for people to speak up or repeat when needed and don't take anyone's negativity if they choose not to acknowledge that I have a hearing disability. People have their own problems they’re dealing with and overall may not have complete understanding with other people's struggles but that doesn’t mean I let it get to me, I just allow it to make me stronger and more confident. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/bcd02e89-61ff-4f74-a330-205aa9a03a74/ava4.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Ava. - The Light In The Midst Of The Darkness As a twenty-year-old girl, I’m still understanding the ways of this crazy thing called life. I continue to give myself, and others, grace considering we’re all living life for the very first time. There will be moments of difficulty, but also moments of pure serenity. I’ve come a long way as someone who has to deal with a hearing impairment and I believe that it makes me uniquely me which is why I couldn’t be any more grateful than I am right now to have reverse slope hearing loss. God made me this way for a reason, and knew with Him I would be able to handle the struggles that come my way. To my younger self: slow down, take care of yourself, and don’t let the judgment of others get you down—they’re a waste of time to get frustrated over. Be uniquely yourself and if you need to ask the question or statement to be repeated for the 100th time, do it! A little reassurance never hurts anyone (unless they have zero patience). Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my story, Ava Firmani! Don’t forget to follow me @ava.firmani and @forthedeafgirl on Instagram! We thank you for all of the love and support :) https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-olivia monthly 0.5 2024-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/b87ddac8-5898-4dd6-a273-8e755af40eeb/Meet+Olivia.+blog.png For The Girl… - Meet Olivia. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/67cda5ed-bce7-42a2-9b8e-3326335ea98b/2D963316-12AE-4AA9-ACF9-F973014B5881.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Olivia. I am an abstract painter from Devon, UK. Growing up as a profoundly Deaf person in a hearing family, being creative was the only way I could communicate and express myself. I couldn’t hear anything or speak before I had my cochlear implant and I experienced the world through colours and vibrations. I create paintings using my hands with acrylic paint to express my experiences and emotions as a Deaf person in a hearing world. I use acrylic paint to create vibrant and emotive depictions of different sounds through my paintings. I apply paint to the canvas using my hands, as I feel I can connect with my art and express myself better when I handle the paint in a more tactile way. A paintbrush is a barrier between me as an artist and my materials. Much like how Deaf people were forbidden to use their hands to communicate in sign language, I do not want to feel my hands are forbidden from communicating my truth through my art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/c28129a2-dfcd-4f3d-a0bd-829dcbe0f774/IMG_1375.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Olivia. In 2001, I was born the doctors told my parents that they thought I may have a genetic syndrome (waardenburg syndrome) as i was born with a lot of grey hair but it wasn’t confirmed until I was about 1 year old and then I had a lot of hearing tests and eventually at 18 months old my parents were told that I was profoundly Deaf. Sometime later cochlear implants were mentioned to my parents who had to make a very difficult decision.. They decided as coming from a hearing family and life is hard enough, they wanted me to have an opportunity to learn how to speak knowing when I became a teenager where I could choose what I want to do with my life. Personally, I am so thankful they have made this decision as the cochlear implant has changed my life by making me more confident as I am growing up as an adult in the Deaf and Hearing world. Even though I do love it when I am not wearing my cochlear implant for that peaceful moment when it is needed (well most of the time!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/3979f5a7-0642-419d-8d54-94823aaaca56/IMG_1376+%281%29.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Olivia. I have had a cochlear implant for 21 years now, it has given me so much confidence which I am grateful for as I wasn’t that confident when I was young especially I felt embarrassed about wearing my cochlear implant as I thought I looked weird and different. Now I really appreciate it because I am an adult now where I have realized that cochlear implants are awesome! I honestly don’t care about what others think or say about it. It has given me a lot of power which is why I am way more confident wearing it now. This has given me a lot of opportunities such as getting involved with creative industries! I have seen a lot of Deaf role models out there such Tasha Ghouri from Love Island and Rose Ayling-Ellis who won Strictly Come Dancing. Seeing these kinds of role models has been really inspiring to see and it made me even more proud to be Deaf. This shows we really can do anything! https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-kayla monthly 0.5 2024-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/3c52723e-2033-44f4-9169-56812d0a5b9d/Meet+Kayla.+blog.png For The Girl… - Meet Kayla. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/b835d6ab-fa12-4670-8aca-547becee02e2/Kayla+4.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Kayla. - Introducing a Deaf Perspective I was born in 2000, a time where hearing screenings were not required for newborns before leaving the hospital in Illinois. My parents didn’t suspect anything and It wasn’t until my 1st birthday that they became suspicious. My cousin decided to blow a party horn in my ear, and to everyone’s surprise, I didn’t react. They took me to the doctor the next day, and lo and behold I was deaf. My doctor told my parents I could’ve been born with hearing, but who knows! (Thanks Illinois). A few years later, I got my cochlear implant and ever since then, I’ve simply just been trying to navigate in a world designated for hearing individuals. I was a figure skater for many years, which of course, is the worst sport for a deaf person since it’s all about balance. Nonetheless, I absolutely loved the sport and loved launching myself into the air. I also attended college and got a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree and have been working as an ICU nurse for the past year! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/8c089608-2296-46e8-96d5-1c67f27fd7e9/Kayla+3.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Kayla. - Navigating Through Adversity as a Deaf Individual Growing up, I didn’t know any deaf people so my circles always consisted of hearing people. However, I am very fortunate to have had friends that were more than understanding and always adjusted things to ensure I am able to hear better. Whether it’s from repeating themselves a million times or facing me when they talk, I’ve been very lucky to have such supportive friends as well as an amazing boyfriend of 6 years that has been my second set of ears. I will say I am surprised I even still have friends or a boyfriend as “huh” is the #1 word in my vocabulary. Aside from everyone being awesome, I was always very ashamed of my hearing loss and always tried to hide it to the best of my ability, which only made things so much worse for me. I tried to act like a “normal” person (which is stupid because we are normal, our ears just don’t want to work). As the years went on, I slowly started being more open about my hearing, whether it’s gathering up the courage to hand my mini mic over to my professor in front of my class in college or straight up telling someone that I wear a CI and need them to speak up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/92291d71-d491-436d-a723-bdc26a8a5a6a/Kayla+2.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Kayla. - A Journey of Strength and Resilience Since opening up more about my hearing and finding a new light in my acceptance, I’ve seen a change not only in my demeanor but of others. Instead of feeling scared of missing something or simply ignoring it, I find myself much more vocal and ready to ask questions when needed. My biggest argument for a college major was to find a job that lacked the necessity of communication, and I now find myself speaking openly with my coworkers who understand I may need some extra volume or a rephrasing due to masks (Ms. Rona still haunts me). From my coworkers, to my friends, boyfriend, and family, no one hesitates to repeat what they’ve said, and I’ve taken control of what I’ve once thought was a downfall. This has increased my confidence and made me feel in control of something I never had a say in. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-lindy monthly 0.5 2024-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/b8e33350-07c3-4476-93cd-91fbd733fb55/image0+%282%29.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Lindy. - Make it stand out photo by: Patrick Falaniko https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/189d75d7-01e1-4a49-bbd7-737aac5bfc5d/unnamed+%283%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Lindy. - Growing Up As a child I found hearing difficult. I had lots of what used to be referred to as ‘catarrh’ and I had swollen adenoids. I also had a very painful abscess that burst inside my ear when I was eight making a dreadful mess of the clean white sheets on the bed. I found it difficult to hear at school. I think I was sometimes considered slow because it took longer for me to hear/register what someone was saying to me. I also wore glasses with a patch over one eye so I couldn’t read the blackboard. My mum had a meeting with my teacher, following a class test one year when I was at Primary school. My mum said “The teacher said you know more than you let on. You must put your hand up so that she knows you know something!” No-one ever considered that I didn’t hear or took longer to process things. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand, I couldn’t hear. (Or read the board!) [Photographer: Zuzia Zawada, Earrings: @deafmetal] https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1088023f-c7c2-45f6-860a-96f173edffe1/unnamed+%281%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Lindy. - Hearing Aids Having got through school, higher education, teaching and personal life I began to find hearing more and more difficult. My daughter said ‘Mum, that television is so loud!” when she came to see me. I knew I was struggling to hear conversations, tannoys were impossible and I worried about keeping up in group situations. After retiring from teaching in my 50s and having done a Theatre Skills course, I was applying for all sorts of roles in film, stage and studios! I loved meeting and working with new creatives and didn’t want this to stop. I went to my GP and said I thought I needed my ears syringed. He did a hearing test and said “You need hearing aids”. When I was tested and fitted for my hearing aids I put them straight in and have worn them ever since. (Not the same pair!) The audiologist said wearing them would help to preserve the hearing I had so I definitely wanted to hold onto that! I was also told that one ear was worse than the other as I had burst an eardrum in one and a membrane had grown over it, making hearing difficult. I had a hearing problem from childhood as well as hearing loss associated with age. The type of hearing loss I had meant messages didn’t get to the brain quickly. It was a difficulty with clarity not volume! I could have cried with relief. It all made sense, all these years later. [photo by: Halo, studio: Tank Space] https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/eed91fd4-8b43-4276-91c9-fb0cb6b1a19b/unnamed+%287%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Lindy. - Communication is Key I love people and socialising but it is one of the things that can be difficult for deaf/hard of hearing people. I do not want to be cut off from people. I attend lip-reading classes every term. When I first started the teacher said I had been lip reading for a long time. I would say to anyone reading this, please, make sure your lips are not covered by your hands, speak clearly in your usual voice, make sure you are not in front of a window (you will be a silhouette!) and do not shout in someones ear (it hurts!) If the deaf/hard of hearing person doesn’t get it, please don’t say “It doesn’t matter”. It matters to us. Try rephrasing it or writing it down. [photo by: Goddess Studio] https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/b4fa72cf-f9b6-4f69-933c-be6a8c910d45/unnamed+%286%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Lindy. I love my hearing aids! They help me to hear. I do not like the stigma against being deaf/hard of hearing. Please, if you are finding it difficult to hear, go and get a hearing test. They are free. If you are prescribed hearing aids, please wear them. I often wear jewellery that is made specifically for hearing aids. Rather than hide our hearing aids, let’s celebrate them! Let’s adorn them with hearing aid earrings, let’s tell people we wear them. Let’s be proud to be who we are, with hearing aids! Since getting hearing aids I have become more confident in talking about being hard of hearing, I have joined lip-reading classes, I have done ballet lessons online with the camera on! I have worn earrings for hearing aids. I have attended burlesque classes in person, shared photos of my hearing aids on social media and heard the birds SING! There is so much joy to be had in everyday sounds you didn’t think you’d missed until they came back. [photo by: John Walsh] https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-rayan monthly 0.5 2024-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/9a4d5c1d-6c3e-4a80-940e-8a884705d4ec/Meet+Rayan+blog.png For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/f5cc7a3b-4560-4bae-9148-d8cfb568383f/rayan+7.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. My story begins in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where I was born to hearing parents. Growing up in a country with limited medical resources posed significant challenges, especially since newborn hearing screenings were not available. As a result, my deafness went undiagnosed during those crucial early months of my life. From the get-go, my mother noticed that something wasn’t quite right. I wasn’t responding to sounds like other babies; you could have set off fireworks next to me, and I'd still be snoozing. Trusting her instincts, she took her concerns to our local doctor. He brushed her off, saying I was just an exceptional sleeper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/87f0eac3-0c82-44af-b427-4019968c744c/rayan+6.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. Determined to find answers, my parents whisked me off to London. This journey was a pivotal moment in my life, and I finally got a hearing test. Surprise! Severe to profound hearing loss. The diagnosis hit my parents like a ton of bricks—imagine a mix of sorrow and relief wrapped up in a big "I told you so." Following the diagnosis, I started wearing hearing aids which looked like a little walkman with earphones. Without a specialized deaf school in sight, I was thrown into the mainstream school deep end, where I struggled significantly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/03c64fbb-7ace-4b4f-82e3-88d0274ff6b0/rayan+1.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. A significant turning point came when I was 10 years old. My family moved to London permanently, seeking a better life and more opportunities. In London, I attended a mainstream school with a hearing unit, where I finally met other deaf individuals. This experience was transformative; for the first time, I didn’t feel isolated. Meeting others who shared similar experiences provided a sense of belonging and community that I had never known. Despite the early struggles, I excelled academically. I pursued studies in fashion and later in Montessori childcare. My success was a testament to the hard work and support of my family, especially my mother, who had always been my pillar of strength. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/e1f49b5f-cc71-4f27-a1ba-406073e921ac/rayan+4.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. - Mia At 26, I got married and soon faced another significant challenge: my first child, Mia, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss. Drawing from my own experiences, my husband and I decided to pursue cochlear implants for both myself and my daughter. The journey with cochlear implants was challenging, requiring me to relearn how to listen and interpret sounds through the new technology. Gradually, the sounds became clearer, and I began to make sense of them. My daughter, too, began to thrive with her cochlear implants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/05dfe665-8479-4cb6-a16d-98fbc2a745e7/rayan+2.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. - Gabriella Our family’s journey didn’t stop there. My second child, Gabriella, was also born profoundly deaf and received cochlear implants. At this point, it was clear that my deaf genes were on a mission. Witnessing my children’s progress and recognizing the importance of early intervention and support, we became fierce advocates for deaf children. We even started an Instagram page to share our story and offer support to other parents with newly diagnosed deaf children. Think of it as a digital hug, providing valuable insights, resources, and a sense of community for families navigating similar challenges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/46c69706-4cff-4fd3-95a5-391504039ad8/rayan+5.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1717081448464-AATHES81USZYYC4UUJYU/rayan+9.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1717081063688-B00RXBUWQ7RHPZVN4TK3/rayan+8.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1717081084018-FZDYQWTM6TEUX6ZMNYCX/rayan+5.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Rayan. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/d965stc8n8zfy1rikzko26jvmxxti0 monthly 0.5 2024-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/838aef59-fd82-4ebe-bd57-146d2b18bffd/Meet+Kellina..png For The Girl… - Meet Kellina - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/042522e1-f909-413d-aea0-adfcff77f508/image_123650291+%281%29.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Kellina - Overcoming Hearing Loss to Achieve My Goals. Despite the challenges of being hard of hearing, I persevered to earn a bachelor's degree in Psychology from York University and a diploma in Mental Health and Addiction. I didn't stop there—I became a life coach and an Amazon best-selling author with my book, "Everyday I Am Just Deaf." The journey wasn't without obstacles; a professor's refusal to accommodate me led to a failed course, a moment of doubt. But, I refused to succumb to self-pity. To those facing struggles in school or life, remember, life has its share of unsupportive individuals. However, don't apologize for who you are or doubt your potential. Let this be your motivation. You have the strength to overcome, and your unique journey is a testament to your resilience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/bedd29cc-514a-4262-bc32-eea2dc8d84c1/image_123650291+%282%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Kellina - Starting My Book! In a world filled with countless stories, it's surprising how few voices from the deaf community have found their way onto the pages of our favorite books. As an entrepreneur, my journey took an unexpected turn when my mentor challenged me to become the author I couldn't find—a deaf voice in the literary landscape. It struck me that, in 2023, a time championing diversity and inclusion, there's a noticeable absence of narratives reflecting the experiences of young adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. I embarked on a quest to fill this void, only to discover a scarcity of stories resonating with our unique journeys. It became clear to me—the need for tales that illuminate our world, stories that not only represent us but make us feel seen and heard. My dream is to craft narratives that light up the lives of young adults like us, providing a mirror to our realities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/28e03160-0b68-4208-b191-3499d45b7182/image_123650291+%283%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Kellina Growing up, I looked for characters who shared my experiences, faced similar challenges, and celebrated victories like mine. I realized the gap between the stories I read and the life I lived. Now, as an author, my mission extends beyond words on a page—it's about bridging that gap, creating stories that resonate and make us feel understood. My journey as a hard-of-hearing individual navigating a predominantly hearing world has been filled with hurdles, triumphs, and misconceptions. Through it all, I've come to appreciate the transformative power of storytelling. Stories are not just narratives; they are windows into different worlds, forging connections and dispelling feelings of isolation. I vividly recall the profound impact of encountering a character who mirrored my experiences—the sense of recognition and understanding. That captivating feeling is what I aim to share with all of you through my books. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/baf98e26-a7cc-4496-8ad5-8594786e22fc/image_123650291.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Kellina - Why Did I Become A Coach? Becoming a coach wasn't just a professional choice for me; it became a passionate mission. My distinct approach is fueled by a diverse range of experiences, making me well-equipped to guide you on a journey of growth and empowerment; I'm also an international speaker, bestselling author, and dedicated entrepreneur. Yet, what truly ignites my soul is witnessing individuals with disabilities break barriers and unleash their full potential. My unyielding drive stems from the sheer joy of seeing people succeed. If you're someone ready to embark on a transformative journey, seeking empowerment and guidance, look no further. I invite you to explore my website at https://www.kellinaempowerment.com/. Discover the wealth of resources, coaching programs, and inspirational content designed to propel you towards your goals. Let's embark on this journey together, unlocking the extraordinary capabilities within you. Your success story awaits, and I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Visit the website and let's start your empowering journey today! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/706f2400-527c-4c3c-b633-b8b1659d9570/Work+It+Girl.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Kellina - What I Would Say To My Younger Self! If I could reach back to speak to the younger version of myself, here's what I would share: Firstly, embrace your uniqueness. Your identity as a deaf individual is not a limitation but a source of strength. The hurdles you face will mold you into a resilient, compassionate, and extraordinary person. Own your story, for it is the foundation of the incredible journey you're on. Secondly, advocate for yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for accommodations, understanding, and support. The world is evolving, and your voice matters. Educate those around you about your needs, and be a catalyst for change. Remember that setbacks are not failures but stepping stones to growth. The moment a professor failed you due to a lack of accommodation, it wasn't a reflection of your abilities. It was an opportunity to rise stronger, more determined, and prove that your potential knows no bounds. As you navigate the hearing world, cultivate resilience. Know that obstacles will come, but they are not insurmountable. Each challenge is a chance to demonstrate your capabilities, leaving an indelible mark on the perceptions of those who may doubt you. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-karli monthly 0.5 2024-04-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/87d8f570-aca4-4cfb-8e95-409717609b43/karli1.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Karli - How Did My Parents NOT Know I was Deaf?! I was born Deaf and my parents did not realize it because I would follow my brother everywhere. It wasn’t until my older brother (who is only 2 years older than me) started kindergarten and was away during the day when my parents started to notice that I wasn’t responding to them. Once they realized I was Deaf, they immediately started learning ASL for me. I was fitted with my first pair of hearing aids shortly afterwards. I also had an in-home speech therapist. I attended deaf preschool and then deaf school from kindergarten to grade 7. In grade 8, I decided I wanted to venture out to the “hearing world” and was transferred to a hearing middle school. Went to 2 different mainstream high schools before I decided that I wanted to graduate with my friends at my Deaf school. I’m ever so grateful for my time at my Deaf school. It really shaped me into who I am today. I was the only Deaf person in my entire family until my daughter came along. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/70cf8818-9c5d-49b1-8cda-78b34a8da62e/karli2.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Karli - The Moment I Realized My Daughter Was Deaf It was 12 hours after I gave birth when the doctor at the hospital where I was at did the newborn hearing screening test. My mom was there to interpret for me. She was the one who told me what the doctor said. “I’m sorry she failed her hearing test”. I grinned and gave a thumbs up. Two months later, my daughter had another hearing test, and she ‘failed' it. In reality, she passed the Deaf Test. I was over the moon. The audiologist was baffled and asked me why I was excited. I told her that she is just like me. The Deaf world is absolutely beautiful and I am so excited that she is going to be joining me. She looked at me all amazed and said I wish there were deaf people that would attend appointments like this to show parents that there is hope. My Deaf daughter is a complete powerhouse at only 4 years old. She is going to move mountains. I am so excited. She really changed my outlook on life as a Deaf person. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/a4a68386-2d46-42a8-9ee1-626649a63f9b/karli3.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Karli - The Moment I Realized My Daughter Was Deaf It was 12 hours after I gave birth when the doctor at the hospital where I was at did the newborn hearing screening test. My mom was there to interpret for me. She was the one who told me what the doctor said. “I’m sorry she failed her hearing test”. I grinned and gave a thumbs up. Two months later, my daughter had another hearing test, and she ‘failed' it. In reality, she passed the Deaf Test. I was over the moon. The audiologist was baffled and asked me why I was excited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/8853198c-566d-4b12-a6c8-475487fdd250/karli4.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Karli - How My Deaf Daughter Changed My Perspective Having my Deaf daughter completely lit a fire under me. Because of her, I am 100x more proud of my Deaf identity and I want to advocate for her. Before having her, I wasn’t really at all interested in being in the Deaf community. I’d rather do my own things. But now, oh boy, I want to make the world a better place for her. Pave a path for her to follow and continue to make her own path in life. I am already seeing the changes that are going on in the Deaf community and I am beyond excited for my daughter to experience it all. I was born during the 90’s. Only three channels would have closed captions by the time I could read. I could only communicate with my friends via TTY. Now my Deaf daughter can video call her other Deaf friends and sign. I had to wait until I learned how to type to call my friends. At 4 years old, I already see big differences she has made in other people’s lives. I am so excited to see what the future holds for both of us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/e310edf2-8ada-44e5-8636-a240349ff0a8/karli5.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Karli - Why Am I Online? I’ve noticed that there aren’t many Deaf Canadians online, and way too many videos showcasing Deaf children doing speech therapy, and wearing hearing devices. I want to show the importance of Deaf children learning ASL first to prevent language deprivation. My 4 years old is a QUEEN of Classifiers already. It was because I exposed her to ASL since Day One. Most children in her Junior Kindergarten class arrived at school with minimum language exposure. If more parents know about the beauty of the Deaf world, more Deaf children would not experience language deprivation. There are many awesome Deaf content creators out there but they are mainly from the United States. There aren’t many Deaf Canadian content creators. I want to show the beauty of regional signs when it comes to ASL. So that’s why I’m online. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-shelby monthly 0.5 2024-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/a685f0b1-c203-4afa-be78-6aa2ca0231d7/image3.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Shelby. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/8af2db5d-453d-460f-ad6b-821ba4f15075/image4.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Shelby. - Where It All Began… I was born the first child in my family to my parents in April of 2005. As new parents, the last thing they wanted was for their baby to have any health issues, like many parents hope for. Little did they know my failed newborn hearing tests, which at first was presumed as a cause from fluid, would soon become clear that I was born with mild hearing loss just in my left ear. After more testing and no answer to the cause, my parents decided to wait off on a hearing aid until it was noticeably affecting me. Fast forward about 10 years later when I realized for the first time myself that I couldn't hear very well out of my left ear. We saw an audiologist who tested my hearing and that's when we took the steps to getting my hearing aid. We discovered my hearing dropped to moderate severe level hearing loss and it was a good time to get my first hearing aid (HA). When I got my HA I was in fifth grade and I remember being so excited to tell my teacher all about it and how I wanted a hot pink one so I could get my American Girl Doll a matching HA! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/245bbdec-6672-45ad-89a8-3912fd02046b/image1+%281%29.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Shelby. - Why Is Everything So Quiet? My hearing aid did me well and I had the same one up until roughly my sophomore year of high school. At this point I was about 15 and that's when I woke up one morning and noticed everything sounded a bit quieter than usual and my HA didn’t sound like it normally did. At this time it was also the midst of the pandemic so it was hard to get into the doctors so most appointments were scheduled over the phone as we tried to figure out why my hearing seemed to have dropped. Many months and countless doctors and ENTs later, we got into the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) where we were connected with my ENT, Dr.Pham. Through ordered testing from him, we finally discovered the cause of my hearing loss. An MRI revealed that I have a genetic mutation called Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome (EVAS), and that was the cause of my hearing loss and why it was continuing to decline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/d0876542-08f3-41c9-b1a8-780a6607453c/image0+%281%29.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Shelby. - Senior Year, Surgery, and Recovery… Oh My! This was my first surgery and it wasn't necessarily a small one either, which brought along all the nerves you could imagine! Surgery happened over my fall break of my senior year and I was expecting to return to school shortly after. I had a few setbacks such as longer effects from medications and I experienced severe vertigo for the first time in my life (from a mix of medications, the procedure itself, and my EVAS), and you can probably put together what happened from being dizzy and spinning… An overnight hospital stay was not expected but it happened anyway. I had the greatest team of nurses and doctors so that made it all the better, plus I had my supportive family by my side and messages from my favorite people constantly. Recovery after that was a bit of a bumpy road but nothing I couldn't overcome! Activation was highly anticipated as I waited three weeks to be activated! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/31f498f5-d5e5-45a4-803c-ea6df0844f6d/image2+%281%29.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Shelby. - Where I Am Today. Through this rollercoaster of a ride, I have learned so much about not only myself, but about the dDeaf community and how strong and powerful the connection of strangers on the internet can be. While my hearing through my CI alone is at about 85% understanding, I still have a ways to go till I reach the sweet spot of clear understanding, but looking back through all I have been through, I know there is nothing that I can’t overcome with the support of family, friends, the wonderful community I am blessed to be apart of, and by the grace of God. If there is anything you take away from my personal story I hope it can be this; No matter how high that hill is, or how low the valley may be, you still have a purpose and God has a plan for your life. It was hard for me to believe that for a while from all I have been through, but as I am writing a blog post for a community that I am so proud to be a part of, I see just how much God is using me to share my story to inspire and bring hope to other women and girls. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-sarah monthly 0.5 2024-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/85b02785-bc48-4941-a2cc-0ef565d174b0/IMG_9440.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Sarah. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/016a8da1-7dbb-4807-99ca-44df6ac98ce2/IMG_9439.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Sarah. - Sarah’s Diagnosis So, what IS Meniere’s Disease? Meniere’s Disease is a disease of the inner ear that can affect one or both ears. The symptoms of Meniere’s Disease include fluctuating hearing loss, episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and aural fullness. To be honest, I still struggle with understanding the disease, why it happens and the exact physical causes. It has been explained to me so many times, but I’m not a doctor! The onset of symptoms usually occurs due to a buildup of fluid in the inner ear, specifically the labyrinth. The labyrinth contains the organs of balance and hearing (jackpot!!!). Typically, Meniere’s Disease is found in people over 40, with less than 3% of cases being reported in people under 18. At the time of my diagnosis, I was 18, making me one of the “lucky” few! The road to my diagnosis was a strange one. I have always struggled with my hearing, some days waking up with a complete block in one of my ears, just thinking it was ear wax. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/57865420-d50c-4288-b069-a4830e27c298/IMG_9441.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Sarah. - What’s next? To be honest, my diagnosis shocked me. With my condition, there are a lot of unknowns. The vertigo can flare at any moment, making it incapacitating. My hearing loss could become profound, there is really no way to know what the future holds. At first, I was scared to embrace this new aspect of my identity. What would being Hard of Hearing mean for me? I was scared, not knowing if I would lose access to communication with my family and loved ones. I expressed these fears to my best friend, and she suggested I start learning American Sign Language (ASL). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/8f234afe-66c6-4040-aded-267b90aa3fc8/IMG_0571_%281%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Sarah. - A New Perspective I never would have guessed that something originally so frightening could have turned into something so amazing. I have been learning ASL for 2 years now, and cannot wait to continue learning. The doors it has opened for me, personally and in my career, have given me things I never thought possible. I am so thankful to my friend Tommy, who held the classes I attended. He has welcomed me into the Deaf community with open arms, encouraging me along the way. I have taken classes with Sign Language Center, have attended Deaf events in NYC, and I even went to Deafopia this past fall! I have met so many people who have guided me and helped me, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I realized that my hearing loss, and whatever it may or may not progress into, is not something to be afraid of. It might be different from what I have grown up knowing, but it is amazing nonetheless. I have access to conversation that I never thought would be possible for me with spoken English. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/fd4548e2-7f57-4b1c-a4a1-94084adeff19/IMG_3361+2.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Sarah. - Just the Beginning While this is the end of my post, it is most certainly not the end of my story, in fact I feel it is just the beginning. If I could’ve told myself 2 years ago that this is where I would be now, I wouldn’t have believed it! 2 years ago, I was in the darkest place I have ever been in, struggling with coming to terms with abuse that I endured all throughout my childhood at the hands of my father. Through my healing journey, meeting new friends and learning ASL has been an amazing escape. I am currently studying education and hoping to transfer to a school that offers Deaf Education next year. I feel passionately that all Deaf children deserve access to ASL, and that everyone has a right to accessible communication. Working with children is something I have always loved, and I am thankful to be able to study Deaf Education specifically! I have come to accept and embrace my hearing loss, but I am also more than my diagnosis. I am a writer, a friend, a survivor, a farmer, a creative person, a member of the LGBTQ community. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/dear-gianna-an-open-letter monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/a299b6f4-4088-448d-b354-6caa0eeafa1b/pinkpapaya_046.jpg For The Girl… - Dear Gianna, An Open Letter. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/9b68127c-e11d-4532-9490-bdc9bff8a910/IMG_9939.jpg For The Girl… - Dear Gianna, An Open Letter. I wish you knew that your hearing loss wouldn't make you shine any less than those around you. I admire your persistence to search for answers, and to be seen. I wish you could see that this would be used to teach everyone around you that people face challenges at any time in their lives. I wish you could know that people will talk about your speech, and you will grow up to take pride in how far you have come, and how far you will be going. I wish you knew that navigating this new aspect of your life will have challenges and be uncomfortable, but that you will learn to navigate the world with your hearing aids. I wish you could see that you aren’t alone in your journey, and that you have people supporting you and your accomplishments everywhere you go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/2b2ecd63-fa5d-4183-8d3d-8fe9eb089bf8/IMG_2800.jpg For The Girl… - Dear Gianna, An Open Letter. Having to navigate something so big at an age so young was difficult, and I am so proud of you. You do not have to give people a reason for the way you talk, for the things you ask to be repeated, and for the conversations you choose to remove yourself from. I admire your constant desire to be seen by those around you, and to be understood. You’ve finally navigated speech therapy and all the audiologist appointments that once seemed pointless to you. You have opened people’s eyes to the world of hearing loss, and shown persistence through everything. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/dear-danielle-an-open-letter monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/5aa76911-0d92-4a52-a146-9a0a05b96945/AD698262-A1D3-4900-AE0A-979578251D09.jpg For The Girl… - Dear Danielle, An Open Letter. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/400f2822-63e0-408b-87c7-024c07244b81/425386_299272390127849_2034270447_n.jpg For The Girl… - Dear Danielle, An Open Letter. We have a long, rough journey ahead of us but, every moment we have in our life is just a special lesson to us. I wish you could see the inner growth we had as we grew older. I wish I had known things sooner. I know we will have our breakdown moments, desiring to end our lives simply. Breathe. The things you’re going through are just temporary. Be vulnerable, real, and honest. It is okay to cry. You’re not alone. You may feel that way sometimes, but you have people in your future that are going to be worth fighting for. Yes, we will go through trials and tribulations ahead—but we will make it. We did make it, but not as we expected. Expectations in others aren’t needed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/a8e24386-896f-4d7c-967f-6e056e4dd9a9/IMG_2610.JPG For The Girl… - Dear Danielle, An Open Letter. Dive deeper into our creative self. Don’t let people walk all over you. Keep reading books. Don’t seek best friends, they always aren’t the ones we hoped to have. A lot of people you know aren’t going to be supportive, and I’m okay with that. Smile more often, they like our infectious smile. It is crazy but, true. Love yourself. You are just more beautiful than you think or feel. When mom encourages us to enroll at Gallaudet University, choose RIT/NTID instead—trust me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/276850c4-4e57-4e81-8ade-3a749f45ec0b/408279_313443968700299_1471447000_n.jpg For The Girl… - Dear Danielle, An Open Letter. Keep trying, girl. You got this. Focus on who you are, don’t worry about what others think of you. Keep being silly, continue to make others laugh. People in our life ahead need that. Set healthy boundaries. Learn how to say no. Learn how to protect ourselves. We have to. Please don’t be too hard on yourself, everyone makes mistakes daily. Appreciate our parents more. I know we may not understand our mom but, in life ahead, she has always been there for us. Try to get closer to Dad. The relationship itself hasn’t improved as we thought it would. Our kid loves us more than we think, do not believe that you’re a bad mom. You’re honestly better. Yes, our kid is our mini-best friend. Just check his diapers more often… https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-mia monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/59562740-268b-4b48-b4e1-65762446d4d4/image2.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Mia. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/533fb260-422b-454c-a0ca-a3a65993b222/image0.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Mia. - Title 1 Just a few months after I was born, my parents noticed that I was not responding to noise and was sleeping through loud thunderstorms. So, they took me to a doctor to see what was going on. The first doctor told my parents there wasn’t anything going on, and to appreciate that I was able to sleep peacefully through a thunderstorm. As the days passed, I was still not responding to my name or any sounds, so my parents really wanted to get to the bottom of the situation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/e86ebfff-201f-4296-a69b-84f33a417f40/image1.jpeg For The Girl… - Meet Mia. - Make it stand out Public school was quite the adjustment for me after previously learning around other deaf children. I was now fully immersed in the hearing community, so I had to adapt to the different classroom settings and learning around hearing students. I participated in a few different sports to stay active, while also doing extra work on my speech after school. I joined the swim team when I was 12 years old, and while it came with its own challenges, I loved proving others wrong— that deaf people can swim, and win! I continued my swimming at Penn State Behrend for two years before transferring to Penn State University to finish my education. I graduated a few years ago and am now married with a successful career! https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-kimberly monthly 0.5 2024-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/7624f080-f2e7-4e12-821e-2936169297d3/IMG_3361.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Kimberly. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/52755755-d618-4b52-9bf2-a9b259ba91d6/IMG_4025.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Kimberly. - In my healing era. At the age of 31, I never thought I’d be “in my healing era” but here we are. My medical diagnosis started with Achalasia (a rare esophageal disorder) when I was just two years old. I was able to keep that somewhat at bay, up until high school, with the occasional surgeries. Flash forward to 2020 and I am fighting for my life. Long story short, my esophagus ruptured, attached itself to my lung, and was draining all the bad toxins into my body causing me to become septic. Now I swear, the hearing loss will come into play soon, if you just stick with me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/467d75bd-f351-4a47-965c-15a6b1964972/IMG_4027.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Kimberly. - This is my fight song. Here I am at the age of 27, newly engaged back in March, and now stuck in a hospital bed at the absolute worst time. Due to covid I couldn’t have a single person with me. I spent the better part of the year there basically by myself (except for the nurses who took me in like family)… creeping up on my 28th birthday in October, I wound up back in the hospital where my surgeon told me that we couldn’t wait any longer to perform surgery… If you knew me, you knew I lived that summer like it was my very last. I was going to be as ok with dying as I could be and my family would make it through with the help of each other. But as I am sitting here typing out part of my story, you can guess how it ends. I LIVE. When I woke up from my esophagectomy and lobectomy, almost a week later, I saw my mom and she had a whiteboard that I motioned to and wrote “I’m alive?” in quite possibly the worst handwriting you’ve ever seen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/bc3fe9eb-b714-45c8-be63-2b5add5e39d5/IMG_2220.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Kimberly. - Surviving, Not Thriving So here I am, just watching everyone move around the hospital room and my brain is trying to process everything that is going on. After what feels like forever, I am extubated (breathing tube taken out) and I can try to ask questions and tell those around me that I can’t hear them. One complication of my esophagectomy, so we assume because we can’t be absolutely sure, has left me completely deaf in my right ear and about 75% in my left ear. With tests and steroid injections in my inner ear; it looks like my hearing won’t be coming back. But I’m alive so I should be thankful right? This is not to say that I don’t have everyday struggles because I do but at least I get the chance to be able to look forward to my future… It takes awhile but I am fitted for a hearing aid and while it’s helpful, it’s also not the best. I still struggle to get clarity in big crowds, to have one on one conversations in big spaces, and so much more. But that laugh… My son's laugh. It’s the best thing I've ever heard. And I don't care if it's quieter than it should be or that I have to make sure my device has fresh batteries all the time, because that laugh lets me know I’m alive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/ff08c96e-3cbb-4e61-8adf-95cb51dd7813/5BB0AFA9-443D-4C7B-98A5-0FD915A26FFE.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Kimberly. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/3b4d289e-23cf-4a5e-ad59-8cacc8af99ca/IMG_9776.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Kimberly. - Forged in fire. Almost four years later, I look forward to my future. I’m not stuck in a hospital bed anymore having countless surgeries, breathing tubes, three rounds of ECMO, central lines, chest tubes, feeding tubes, and anything else I've had. I have a husband, a sweet baby boy, a home and family I love, and I’m doing more than I ever thought I would get to do. While losing my voice a few times and losing most of my hearing in the process, here I am. Even though I may be considered disabled, I am enjoying this life that I was given. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/d5066a90-5174-4f2f-a21b-372cc4bb66e1/SP171731.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Kimberly. I’m a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and so much more. I’m ME. It’s raw, it’s real, it’s unbelievable. I’m still learning every day but I know that this is not my practice life, this is all there is, so I’ll give it everything I've got! https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-april monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/cf8b7a68-170b-4ba1-8a36-d7411ab3d950/april+2.png For The Girl… - Meet April. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1c7c8895-28c6-4680-8eb9-b73b26500d5c/untitled-39_websize.jpg For The Girl… - Meet April. - April’s Diagnosis Flabbergasted. Shocked. Overwhelmed. These are just a few of the feelings that rushed through my body sitting in the chair at the Audiology Clinic getting diagnosed with Otosclerosis. I was so embarrassed, ashamed, sad, angry. I really didn’t know how to process it. I heard what the Audiologist was saying but just couldn't believe it. I was only 25. How could I have hearing loss? How could I need a hearing aid? I remember leaving the office, and putting on my sunglasses because I could not hold in the tears. I called my parents immediately. I remember vividly where I was, walking up Younge Street across from the Toronto Eaton Centre wailing into the phoneI need a hearing aid! The only thing I remember was my parents saying “It’s okay, we will help you get one.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/9ff60b9b-8ac3-4146-913f-7172210487e3/00100sPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200615155803772_COVER+%281%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet April. - To wear my hearing aid or not I was stubborn. I was also grieving my hearing loss. I had convinced myself that I had enough hearing in my “good” ear I could get by without wearing it. I wasn't ready to accept the fact that I had hearing loss. I wore my hearing aid only when I felt that I needed to. But to be honest, I needed it from the beginning, I was stuck in the denial phase of grief. I worked in retail at the time and mentioned to my managers about my hearing aid because I felt compelled to. I didn’t want to put myself in a situation where I was unable to hear. Looking back at it I think the only reason I really struggled with telling people about my hearing loss was because of how it is depicted in movies and TV. Something clicked one day and everything changed for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/8395fef9-123a-4b55-9f88-028553705f03/Hard+To+Hear+It+Course.+Shifting+Your+Mindset+%282%29.png For The Girl… - Meet April. - Starting my Channel During the lockdown of 2020, I decided to write and self-publish a children's book called “What is Your Superpower?” The book was inspired by my journey with hearing loss. My goal for the book was to start a conversation between kids and their parents about people with disabilities. (available on Amazon). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/8226c969-3c79-42a2-a63e-b9e408f1c14e/hearing+loss+survival+guide+%282%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet April. Just over a year after publishing my book, I decided to start an Instagram and YouTube Channel. Never in a million years did I ever think I would do something like this. But it has changed my life. This launched me into advocacy that I wasn’t really anticipating but have since welcomed with open arms. I started sharing my journey for myself. To cope, to grieve to just feel all the feels. Reflecting on my hearing loss journey, as corny as this sounds - I think I was made to have hearing loss to help people. I know, I know, that sounds strange to say but I truly feel that I am now on my life’s mission. To change the way people view hearing loss and hearing aids. I started creating different resources to help others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/07a5332b-91bf-4e6c-87c3-36f355766f36/AprilCPhoto.jpg For The Girl… - Meet April. - Shifting your Mindset: Learning to enjoy your hearing loss Since sharing my hearing loss journey publicly I have created a few different digital products to spread awareness, show how cool hearing aids are, and help others with their hearing loss. Most recently I launched my course Shifting Your Mindset: Learning to Enjoy Your Hearing Loss because I struggled with my hearing loss and wanted to share what I have learned so that I can help others. You can find all of my digital products here - https://stan.store/hardtohearit I encourage everyone to find a community or at the very least a person that you can confide in. Hearing loss can be an overwhelming experience but you do not have to go through it alone. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-jess monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/ff3a023c-d36d-4886-b899-f7b49ba17b2d/IMG_9249.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Jess. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/a3183c10-1173-4f23-af74-0172b4233d8a/Whitagram-Image.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Jess. I was born 10 weeks premature and from what the doctors could tell I was more or less healthy aside from my asthma. Fast forward to 2.5 years ago, I had noticed that I was having trouble catching words in conversation on my right side and I consistently felt this fullness in my right ear. During this time I was having awful dizzy and fainting spells accompanied by a high-pitched ringing sound. Concerned, I made an appointment with an audiologist where it was determined that I had mild hearing loss and it was recommended to wear hearing aids. As for the other symptoms I was advised to go to an EENT to get assessed—Unfortunately, where I’m from, these appointments take a while so I wasn’t able to see an EENT until about a year after I had gotten my hearing aids. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/4ba93461-b60f-42df-a8c2-e15c166a84bf/IMG_2470.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Jess. - Anyways— 6 months later I was starting to have the same symptoms but in both ears and the pressure felt worse! It felt like I was constantly underwater, or in an episode of Peanuts where the adult’s voices sound all warped. I was genuinely convinced that I had somehow gone crazy—or at least had gotten some weird cabin fever side effect as this was during COVID. So again, with a trip to the audiologist, it was there that I found out that both ears have now lost a significant amount of hearing. Both were considered moderately severe and it was suggested that I wear hearing aids in both ears. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/b52c9f52-5f47-447a-a5f2-1427362bfe13/IMG_0132.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Jess. Losing your hearing as an adult was eye-opening, to say the least. A part of me felt gutted for a really long time because I had realized that there were so many sounds that I couldn’t pick up on and that I had forgotten, I had to learn ways to accommodate not being able to hear properly and how to gracefully navigate through the stereotypes that come with being HOH/deaf. Eventually, I was able to come to terms with my hearing loss and if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I found my situation to be a blessing in so many ways. I was always the type of person that loves cute things… Let’s be real, who doesn’t?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/645ea224-a801-4269-bebd-339938aae50e/IMG_1848.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Jess. I came to know the Lord 6 years ago, and during the past 2.5 years God had put me in a place where He taught me to trust in Him more. I know how that must sound but the truth is, sometimes the physical action of trusting is a lot easier said than done. I struggled for awhile with my hearing loss because I could no longer hear the birds chirping in the summer mornings, the way I heard my boyfriend (now husband) voice then sounds completely different now and I won’t be able to hear our future baby cry in the middle of the night when they need me. These were a small handful of things that would go through my mind at night along with the ringing in my ears. Then a few months ago my pastor gave a sermon about how God puts us through trials to glorify Him, and suddenly everything kind of clicked for me. I was reminded that God doesn’t make mistakes, and if my ears don’t work like they used to, it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love me or is trying to punish me. He’s using this trial as a way to a) strengthen my faith and trust in Him and b) Using this as a way to glorify Him. There’s lots of people who have it a lot better and a lot worse than I do, but it doesn’t change the fact that God has them exactly where they need to be right now, and is working through their life and in their life. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/for-the-deaf-girl-vision-board-night monthly 0.5 2024-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/11f58049-6b60-45e1-9f26-ab52bfa73dfd/FTDG+Hangout+%281_19_2024%29-35+2.JPG For The Girl… - For The Deaf Girl Vision Board Night - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/cded66b3-a236-4191-9a05-502535fdba12/FTDG+Hangout+%281_19_2024%29-10.JPG For The Girl… - For The Deaf Girl Vision Board Night - Collect Inspiration The first thing you need is inspiration. As someone who collages in her free time, I personally have collected dozens of issues of Vogue, In Her Garden, and In Her Studio. Personally I find inspiration in fashion, nature, and other’s creative spaces. I am lucky to find dozens of publications that speak to me, and just happen to be accessible at my local book retailers. However, for our most recent event I’ve found that there is a lot of diversity and a wide spectrum of interests that we had to cater to. I spent time on Pinterest and Unsplash finding images I felt best represented the women attending. I used a few different collage templates on Canva and simply replaced the images with the ones I had downloaded. It can be difficult to find photos for an array of niche aesthetics, so it is best to start searching by topic. A few keywords I used were coquette aesthetic, girl boss aesthetic, study aesthetic. It may be overwhelming at first, but this can be a time to explore your personal style and visual inspiration that will set the tone for your board and current season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/5454a96a-4d76-4cd7-acb0-780bf7c3fec6/FTDG+Hangout+%281_19_2024%29-08.jpg For The Girl… - For The Deaf Girl Vision Board Night - A Word or Phrase Having a word or phrase that encompasses the season you are stepping into—or what you hope to achieve—helps guide your vision board. For our party, I set up a board with handwritten words with definitions from a list made by Morgan Harper Nichols. Her list of 100 words will inspire you, and help you discover a theme to guide your dream planning. If you’re hosting a party, you can have a similar board for guests to take what they need, or you can print off her list for guests to look through. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/b0d7cd7a-2664-4d11-a164-ec6cd5ab1166/FTDG+Hangout+%281_19_2024%29-12.JPG For The Girl… - For The Deaf Girl Vision Board Night - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/fa39f6a2-1395-4b69-87ff-86f6dbc77bd0/FTDG+Hangout+%281_19_2024%29-09.JPG For The Girl… - For The Deaf Girl Vision Board Night - Canvases or Paper Magazines Printed Collage Templates Rubber Cement Glue Sticks Scissors Washi Tape Markers Stickers Stamps & Ink Paper Scraps https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/c8be7da9-b0b1-4206-b98a-9d8e914217f0/FTDG+Hangout+%281_19_2024%29-22.JPG For The Girl… - For The Deaf Girl Vision Board Night - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/41509860-6ad9-48c2-a289-d2814f3a690b/FTDG+Hangout+%281_19_2024%29-47.JPG For The Girl… - For The Deaf Girl Vision Board Night - Accessibility Tips Eliminate unnecessary background noises such as music, this helps especially when multiple people are talking Have a physical copy of activity instructions Make sure to have adequate lighting for those who rely on signing, lip reading or facial context clues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/0e15cdec-7904-4ef3-824c-05b3524cd467/FTDG+Hangout+%281_19_2024%29-45.JPG For The Girl… - For The Deaf Girl Vision Board Night - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-maddie-stratton monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1690232116692-TKYOKIZ3GNMK1RRLBLDQ/Meet.png For The Girl… - Meet Maddie. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/e38a039f-8a38-426b-bfce-601b292384d2/IMG_6457.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Maddie. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/b9a7f3cf-9441-4a4d-b683-4efc248ef6a4/IMG_6219.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Maddie. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-tiffany monthly 0.5 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/1681155302894-17MYOKN82FSMSZ3QLA92/IMG_6924.JPG For The Girl… - Meet Tiffany. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/97a27f0c-83db-4d66-be30-7b6ddd270bd3/Minimalist+Beige+Cream+Brand+Proposal+Presentation.png For The Girl… - Meet Tiffany. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/dfd21eca-d55a-4b26-b28d-51002c941872/IMG_5855+2.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Tiffany. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62b365e6b09bf141aa624bde/74260852-df64-4d7d-b147-8673edb722d8/IMG_3511+%281%29.jpg For The Girl… - Meet Tiffany. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.forthedeafgirl.com/for-the-girl/meet-grace-forsberg monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 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