The Other Way Around

The day I lost my hearing I thought my life was over and to a point it was, or at least the life I knew. It was a very traumatic experience, but being a Social Worker in a Mental Health Setting I assumed that I had all the answers and that it would only take a short while and life would get back on track. I was so wrong. Working in a Mental Health Setting and having good mental health were two different things! Even more challenging was convincing my employer and fellow workers that I could meet the challenge. YOU CANNOT DO THAT was a frequent comment.

I am not going to talk about my hearing loss. Most of us have the same stories and similar experiences. What makes us different is how we cope and coping skills are very individual, but very important to survival. We are not just people with hearing loss, we are people, and people have different personalities and different ways of coping. It is positive coping skills that reveal our abilities and contribute to our good mental health, and that in turn enables us to connect to the world around us.

I always considered myself to be well balanced and capable of meeting the challenges of life, but meeting the challenges of a Deaf life? It was a difficult period of adjustment and it is still not easy, but at that time the big question for me was, WHAT HAPPENS TO ME NOW? I used to keep waiting for someone to come along and say "Hey, I have all the answers," but no such luck! Then one day I finally came to realize that it all came back to me and my ATTITUDE!. How was I going to convince others if I was not convinced myself?

Losing my hearing was not only a physical loss. I encountered emotional, social and psychological issues as well. Unfortunately, many of my problems were further aggravated by the attitude of my employer towards Deafness, misconceptions about my disability, and ignorance of my abilities.

The employer’s answer to my problem was YOU CANNOT DO THIS and the alternative was a placement at the School for the Deaf. The Deaf should work with the Deaf, right.? Well, off I went to my new job as a Social Worker at the School for the Deaf. The fact that I could not speak the same language, that I had little understanding of Deafness and that I did not want to go, were all little hurdles that I would get over. They say that self esteem is the value you place on yourself, well believe me I was at an all time low.

When I walked through the door at the School for the Deaf I really thought that it was my ultimate punishment for going Deaf in the first place. I was so wrong! It was the beginning of a journey which would take me to new and exciting places in my heart and mind and soul. I visited places I never knew existed, and I met a Myrtle who was strong and a survivor. I met a Myrtle who had value and continued to have the ability to make a difference in peoples lives not just Deaf people but people. So, began my journey.

The first thing I had to do was accept the fact that I had a DISABILITY. How could I help people understand what I needed to cope if I did not know myself? I had to become knowledgeable about my RIGHTS under the Human Rights Code, the ACCOMMODATIONS I would need to break down BARRIERS. I had to educate myself before I could educate my employer, my family , my friends and the world around me. I had to know my ABILITIES. I had to know what it would take to get me there.

It took me five years to convince my employer that I could handle the challenges of a hearing case load. It is still not easy. While the accommodations are there for me I still have to get past the barriers of attitude. I am strong and I have good mental health and I believe in me. People will always think and that will never change. I think positive and I think YES, I CAN DO IT.

My suggestion to anyone who is struggling with meeting the challenges of life is, DON’T SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN, MAKE THEM HAPPEN! Reach out, educate yourself and others, find a good support group, keep your sense of humor, believe in you and last but not least, OPEN EVERY DOOR YOU CAN.

I am Deaf and I am happy. When I say that some of my friends and co-workers say" My God, Myrtle how can you be happy, you are Deaf. You must be in denial! One door closed, but I walked through many new ones and my world is good!

You can do it!!!

Myrtle