When I began this blog in July 2021, my primary goal at that time was to connect with people experiencing deafness in any of its forms. My counselors had suggested I reach out via blogging since my deafness prevents me from communicating in “normal” ways (in person, phone, etc.). I’ve always loved writing and in my younger days had actively submitted short fiction to publishers (and racked up rejection slips along the way). Certainly a blog could combine my love of writing with my need and desire to connect with other deaf people, I thought. So, I made the leap to WordPress.
My blog languished in the shadows for two months, virtually invisible. I plugged away at writing essays about my deaf experiences that no one wanted to read and dutifully checked my stats page every day. (What stats? They’re weren’t any to track.) My initial excitement over beginning my blog project began to wane and I found myself dreading to check my blog each day, knowing nothing had changed and not knowing what to do about it.
Finally, in late September, I came to the proverbial crossroads: my blog was going nowhere, so I could either abandon it, or try posting some of my poetry I’d had sitting around for years. What did I have to lose, I thought. No one would read it anyway.
So I posted some poetry, and views began to trickle in, with an occasional like. It was exciting to see activity after two months of silence. Now and then, a rare comment would appear, and the sensation of making a connection with someone else was both startling and welcome. And the more I posted my poetry, the more things picked up. I found the WordPress community to be the kind of place I’d always wanted to experience: a group of like-minded people sharing their hearts and souls through writing, and supporting and encouraging one another. It struck me how serendipitous this journey had become: I’d started out looking for fellow deaf people, but had found fellow writers instead. My deaf blog had switched gears and become a poetry blog, and I was seeing some progress, albeit in baby steps.
Now, perhaps I’m greedy, but I still want to find other deaf people. I need this to help me in my journey along my road to deaf acceptance. So, I’m sending out an invitation to anyone in the WordPress community who is deaf to any degree and who shares a love of writing to make yourselves known. I’d like to hear from you and have the best of both worlds by getting to know other deaf writers. I want to read about your own journeys with deafness and writing. I want to hear about how you cope with deafness, how it affects or defines your lives, if you consider it a blessing or a curse, if it has changed you as a person, if you struggle with it daily like I do or if you’ve come to accept it as part of who you are. I’m also interested in how deafness has affected your writing in terms of both style and subject matter.
It’s my personal experience that deafness is extremely socially isolating. That’s my reality. I know no other deaf or hard-of-hearing people. I don’t know sign language. My area is too rural to offer much of anything regarding deaf support services. I just want to meet other deaf writers and share our experiences and learn from them.
If you’re interested, leave a comment or use my Contact page to connect. I’d love to hear from you. My deaf essays can be found in the Essays section of my blog in case anyone cares to explore them.
Finally, thank you, WordPress community. Your kindness is appreciated. You’ve all been a bright light in what has been an otherwise dark period for me.
Silent Pariah 
🤗
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m a deaf writer and poet.. you can read my work at http://www.JeannaSoul.com
I, too, had planned to connect with other deaf writers but instead found that writing was mostly for my own soul.. and I love the way words flow from me naturally.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi, Jenna. Thanks so much for replying. I’ve subscribed to your blog and look forward to reading more of your work. You have some beautiful writing on your blog. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much
LikeLiked by 2 people
(waves) here’s another deaf writer ; ). I’ve been deaf since birth with a profound hearing loss. I was raised oral deaf so I read lips and speak well enough that most understand me. It’s been an interesting journey living in between the deaf and hearing world since I don’t know sign language.
Glad to meet a fellow deaf blogger!
Ray
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hey, Ray. Nice to meet you. Thanks for commenting. I’ve been checking out your blog and it’s fascinating–a fellow deaf writer/nature photographer! Glad to know there are other folks out there who share some of the same struggles and interests. Deafness can be so socially isolating. Anyway, feel free to dig around here if you want. I’m interested in checking out more of your blog. Thanks again for replying! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi guys.. I’m considered “hard of hearing” which implies that I’m also hard headed and that’s true
I read lips and body language and learned ASL in my late 20s but I don’t consider myself fluent in it… I am fluent in body language, though, because I own a massage therapy studio and specialize in PTSD massage.
I walk the tightrope between the hearing and deaf world… Almost all my interactions are with hearing people and I have AVA (audio visual accessible app) just in case I can’t read lips.
I’m taking my writing more serious this new year and plan to blog more and hopefully publish a collection of stories and poetry
So here we are -let’s get to writing our hearts out!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi, Jeanna. I think one of my goals needs to be writing more poetry about my deafness and my struggle to accept it. I’ve written some essays but folks seem more willing to read shorter works. I’ve written a few pieces of poetry about it so far. I think I’m reluctant to really explore it poetically for the same reason that I haven’t come to grips with it yet: it’s still so fraught with frustration. I have to say I’ve read some of your writing and Ray’s and you are both immensely talented.
Speaking of PTSD, I’ve had treatment for it in the past (EMDR) and it sort of backfired. I had a bad reaction to a couple of sessions and I’m still experiencing some physical symptoms three years later. I’ve heard of PTSD massage but have never tried it. I’ll have to do some reading on it.
Take care and catch you next time! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry… I share space with a team of counselors and EMDR is offered by several
It does have it’s risks like what happened b with you and I’m so sorry.
PTSD massage is an advanced awareness of what can happen and what has happened to the client.
I ask a lot of intake questions because music can trigger memories, scents can trigger memories, certain touches etc..
Some prefer a very bright lit space.. others want the room dark.. some can’t have an eye covering others can’t go without one.
There’s a lot of body language to read and react to
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely community out there. Kudos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right–the WordPress community feels like a safe harbor full of welcoming folks. I’m glad to be a part of it and to experience the kindness of fellow writers from across the globe. 🙂
LikeLike
I must admit that I feel very much the same.
LikeLiked by 1 person