Deaf People can Do Anything

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I’m sorry, the doctor says.

Your child have failed the audiology test.

Failed? Failed?

How dare they say that?

 

But my parents cheer.

Because they are Deaf, too.

The doctor looks on,

confused.

 

Um…I have these recommendations. the doctor says.

Your child can get a cochlear implant—

My parents wave him off.

No, they are happy with who I am.

 

When I grow up,

people pity me.

Look at that poor little deaf child, they say.

Let us pray for her.

 

How dare they pity me?

How dare they?

You need to learn how to speak, they say.

Why do I have to learn how to speak?

 

It’s like once I am deaf,

I’m an invalid.

I am not an invalid.

I CAN do anything!

 

I can be a teacher,

I can be an actress,

I can be a veterinarian,

I can be whatever I want—

 

Although my dream,

my passion is history.

I want to be an archaeologist.

I want to learn about…

 

Sumerians,

Egyptians,

Mayas,

and Tiahuananco.

 

I can be an archaeologist.

You can be what you want to be

Who has the right to tell you what you can and not do?

Only you can.

 

So the point is…

Deaf people can do anything.

Everyone can do anything.I’m sorry, the doctor says.

Your child have failed the audiology test.

Failed? Failed?

How dare they say that?

 

But my parents cheer.

Because they are Deaf, too.

The doctor looks on,

confused.

 

Um…I have these recommendations. the doctor says.

Your child can get a cochlear implant—

My parents wave him off.

No, they are happy with who I am.

 

When I grow up,

people pity me.

Look at that poor little deaf child, they say.

Let us pray for her.

 

How dare they pity me?

How dare they?

You need to learn how to speak, they say.

Why do I have to learn how to speak?

 

It’s like once I am deaf,

I’m an invalid.

I am not an invalid.

I CAN do anything!

 

I can be a teacher,

I can be an actress,

I can be a veterinarian,

I can be whatever I want—

 

Although my dream,

my passion is history.

I want to be an archaeologist.

I want to learn about…

 

Sumerians,

Egyptians,

Mayas,

and Tiahuananco.

 

I can be an archaeologist.

You can be what you want to be

Who has the right to tell you what you can and not do?

Only you can.

 

So the point is…

Deaf people can do anything.

Everyone can do anything.

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