Beauty in disability.

Disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a persons movement or senses, or activities.

The disability I’ll be writing on is hear loss

Deafness or hearing loss is usually the result of the inner ear or nerve damage. It may be caused by a congenital defect, injury, disease, certain medication, exposure to loud noise or age-related wear and tear.

With the help of my friend Busola who is an angel in human form, I met Busola in 2015 on instagram, we didn’t start talking properly until last year November when we were going for our orientation Camp.

Hearing loss isn’t something to be taken for granted, it can happen to anyone at any age the worst thing is it happening all of a sudden which is the most common through very loud noise, noise explosion, accidents, diabetics, smoking, shingles, aging e.t.c sign languages should be taught to people.

I decided to write on this and create more awareness.

The Challenges;

Hearing loss has a huge impact on my social life, mental health and work life

In general;
-Trouble hearing what they said.

• makes me paranoid and insecure

-As a student;

1. I couldn’t hear in class, had to survive on my own. By collecting notes and using my own sense to understand since no one will explain
2. Difficult to relate with people as they misunderstand me a lot
3. People were so negative

Life;

1. I get called a rude jerk simply because I didn’t hear
2. It’s hard to order Uber
3. I can’t communicate with random strangers for fear of being ridiculed, thus the social withdrawal. Social interactions is tough.
4. It causes low self esteem and my confidence isn’t so good. Thus, making me so depressed
5. Can’t speak well due to not hearing pronunciations well.
6. Can’t use telephone calls

Health;

1. It causes headache sometimes and make me sick(Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)

Work place;

1. Job is hard to find as there’s wild discrimination.
2. Miscommunication at where I previously worked
3. Ignored and treated like I didn’t have a disability

Living with it is like a bittersweet experience.
It has its own challenges and it has its own sweet side.

I don’t really need to say much but people can try to be more understanding and be patient to talk to us. Always face us no matter what and stop shouting.
We are human and we are asking to be treated delicately not differently.

The positive side;

– Lmao when someone is shouting at me or saying things I don’t want to hear, I intentionally shut it off.

There’s beauty in my disability. It’s not meant to be discriminated against or ridiculed.
I do not see people wearing glasses being discriminated, so why should we?
Eye glasses is seen as a beautiful thing but rather hearing aids has been too hidden to avoid people staring.
Hearing aids is beautiful and I’m always happy to show people how it works but never wishing it on them.

People can help with accepting that hearing disability is real. The more they are open about it, the easier it is to communicate better. The more they are supportive, people wouldn’t have to hide their hearing disability.

It’s a part of us and I look forward to a world where there would be less discrimination and the deaf community would be understood more.

Don’t forget, there’s beauty in disability.

Busola has a YouTube channel where she talks on her life basically and creating awareness on hearing disability it’s fun and informative.

Link to Busola’s channel Time out with Bubu please check it out, subscribe, like and comment.

Let her know you’re from me too

Busola’s Instagram – Busola

Thank you so much Busola for your time and patience, it was really amazing writing and working with you. I love you and I’m always here for you. Being your friend has been a blessing, I pray it does get better for you in every way possible.

Thank you so much for reading,

Please make comments too.

Eyilayo 🍫✨