My non-visual struggles

To be a true friend isn't just about being present, it's about being loyal, honest, accepting, and above all, to love and be loved, without envy or malice. I am glad to say I am so lucky to have a few people who fit all of the above. But this particular blog is dedicated to my long term friend Jenny who suffered sudden hearing loss and tinnitus and my soul sister Lisa who is partially deaf due to Cholesteatoma which ate away at her hearing bones, eardrum and worked its way up her brain. Lisa has now had ear reconstruction, a skin graft for a new eardrum and a titanium rod of some sort in her head.  Here's my lovely soul sister who has suffered greatly and still does.  Distance could never destroy the forever bond we have, and that is a massive achievement in itself. Here's Jenny  To all the truly amazing best friends of the world - you are so loved!  If you are making your bestie cry with laughter, dancing with her like a fool or making jokes that only the two of you co

  In 2014, just a few days after I was admitted into the hospital to have my Bonebridge Implant, my life changed all because of the untrusted ENT team at St Thomas' hospital. Jiang, Dan -  face, his team, his theatre gown haunts me to this day... I have flashbacks of his clogs and colourful operating top. The emotional trauma of the hospitalization lingered long after I got the all-clear from the doctors who cared for me not... whilst I was in the hospital. It took some time, but I learned that the depression and anxiety, along with other symptoms I experienced upon, were symptomatic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and were related to my near-death experience between 2014-2015. The set of health issues that arise after both surgeries, wasn't something I’d heard about until two years into my battle with it. Symptoms include: muscle weakness and balance issues cognitive issues and memory loss anxiety depression nightmares And more... I won't bore you g

   🦻🏼 Our reality  It’s officially Deaf awareness week! This time of the year calls for blooms, less rain, happier atmosphere but since the pandemic all things have changed...I have changed, however, it's also time to celebrate Deaf Awareness Week. During this week individuals focus on raising awareness on issues, people, and culture about the Deaf community. It’s important to note that both Deaf and hearing allies come together to celebrate the diversity of Deaf culture.  Culture and Language In Deaf culture, there’s a difference between “the small d” deaf and “the big D” Deaf. People who consider themselves deaf don’t identify with the Deaf community. This is because they only see their hearing loss as a medical condition.  On the other hand, someone who identifies as Deaf feels culturally tied to the community of people who share the same experience. They’re usually proud of their deafness.  Just because someone is clinically deaf, doesn’t mean they’re a part of the Deaf