Silent Journey

I've known a lot of women and dated plenty, but I never dreamed
I'd wind up with someone who wasn't Deaf. I saw Savannah in the
restaurant one night and she smiled. The day I caught up to her on
campus, I was excited. Then in less than a minute, my hopes
crumbled. When I told her I was Deaf, her expression changed.
I thought she'd walk away from me. She didn't. That's when I fell
in love with her. Men don't like admitting to being struck by
cupid's arrows. It doesn't sound macho, but I was hit hard.
I knew I'd marry her.

Being a Deaf man in a hearing world and asking Savannah to be
a permanent part of my life was more than a little intimidating.
Convincing her to step into my world gave me one more problem
to overcome as I pursued a career where most people considered
hearing a prerequisite.

I'm no longer that little boy who wasn't invited to the birthday
party because I was different. I'm Deaf. I'm proud of who I am.
It's not an excuse. It's a reminder to be better, to try harder, and
to find my own success. This is my story of perseverance and the
pursuit of the near impossible.