“Burden of Proof: The Damning Consequences of Skepticism” published at Gobblers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Essays

Hi, folks. I’m excited to let you know that a series of essays I’ve written about my experience as a deaf guy in a hearing world is being published at Gobblers & Masticadores, and the fifth installment in the series has gone live today. Sincere thanks to Juan Re Crivello for this opportunity to share my experiences with his readers. Today’s essay is “Burden of Proof: The Damning Consequences of Skepticism” and you can read it by following this link:

“Burden of Proof: The Damning Consequences of Skepticism”

It’s my hope that sharing my life as a deaf person will raise awareness of this “invisible disability” and the impact it has on those of us with hearing loss, and perhaps enlighten those with normal hearing in order to bridge the gap between us. I hope you enjoy it. Once again, much gratitude to Juan Re Crivello for his kindness and generosity. It’s truly an honor for me.

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers & Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.

26 thoughts on ““Burden of Proof: The Damning Consequences of Skepticism” published at Gobblers & Masticadores”

  2. Hey Mike, loved this piece on the SSDI journey. Seriously powerful stuff. Your storytelling, especially about dealing with skepticism, was super relatable. Big props for sharing your authentic experience and pushing for more empathy. Keep it up, my friend!

    ~David

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    1. Thank you kindly, David. It was certainly an ordeal, and I still harbor some anger deep inside with regards to what I went through during my SSDI claim procedure. Even today, there are people who I meet who give me that look, doubting my deafness simply because I can speak normally. It’s a huge reason I’m so reclusive nowadays. Anyway, I appreciate your thoughtful comment. Thanks a bunch for checking out this essay. 🙂

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    1. Kindest thanks, dear Saima. I recall when you first read the series of essays and your appraisals were so in-depth and thoughtful. It was such a wonderful feeling to know someone had taken the time to read them, and I thank you for that. You’ve always been so supportive and it means the world to me. So, thank you again, my friend! 🙂

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  7. Well, I don’t know how I missed this until tonight, but I’m sure it will have opened some eyes wider. Very well written (as always!) but also very informative. I’ve been on both ends of the medical community, and also had to intercede for / represent my mother in medical things from a young age until she passed. I know both that look and the utterly shocking disillusionment. Both are disheartening, but one is literally inhumane. If you weren’t a warrior, we never would’ve met you; warrior onward. 🌷

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    1. I’m so grateful for your kind words. It’s such a monumental task to deal with SSA about anything, and there’s such a stigma attached to anyone who’s disabled or needs specific assistance just to make it from one day to the next. I know I’m not the only one who has experienced this, but I wish no one had to go through it. And yes, I suppose I have a stubborn streak that ensured I would fight to the end, and I’m glad I saw it through. As I’ve gotten older, I feel that stubbornness diminishing and being replaced by fatigue and a sense of doom. These things take a lot out of a person. All that red tape, and so little compassion and recognition that we’re human beings and not statistics, you know? Anyway, thanks again for your kindness. I appreciate you, my friend. 🙂

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  11. Tranature - quiet moments in nature's avatar Tranature - quiet moments in nature

    Congratulations with your publication Mike! This is such a powerful essay and I can imagine the writing itself has a therapeutic energy the way you’ve spread the words on the page. I don’t know whether you are familiar with ‘Pulse – Voices from the Heart of Medicine’, they’re often looking for essays and poetry submissions too: https://pulsevoices.org/

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    1. Thank you, Xenia. I checked out Pulse and it looks like a place I’ll definitely keep in mind for future consideration.

      You’re right, of course, when you mentioned the therapeutic value of writing this piece. It was sort of frustrating to relive some of these memories, but putting them into an orderly format on page or screen helps a lot. It’s easier to handle something that actually has “handles” on it, you know? Writing places those handles on otherwise amorphous thoughts, feelings and memories, allowing us to deal with them more effectively. It felt good to write this piece. It was intense, but cleansing. I hope it helps someone else who might be experiencing something similar.

      Thanks again, my friend. I appreciate it. 🙂

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  12. That’s a horrific experience. We would think people would have more empathy than forcing personal bias to the consumer, and out right accusing you lying, that’s unforgettable (in a very bad way). Glad that your counsellor advocated for you to have further testing done.

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