Hello everyone, I'm Hyde from China. I would like to share my story with all of you and demonstrate the strength and courage we can find within ourselves when facing challenges. Starting at the age of three, I lost my hearing due to an allergic reaction from a vaccination. The quality of vaccinations back then was unreliable, and it had a profound impact on my life. However, even in my moments of despair, my parents held onto hope, believing that I would regain my hearing. They tirelessly went from hospital to hospital, never ceasing their care and support.
Unfortunately, the doctors informed them that I wouldn't be able to recover my hearing and would have to rely on hearing aids to perceive sound. For our modest family, purchasing a pair of hearing aids was a tremendous burden. To achieve this goal, my parents had to work in distant places, pouring their sweat and hard work into it. Yet, the price of hearing aids at that time was exorbitant, and they were only available in Beijing. I missed the optimal period for auditory training.
In the area where I lived, there were no schools or communities for the deaf. Imagine a deaf child stepping into a school filled with hearing children—it was like a dolphin being placed in a zoo. However, I didn't receive kindness or understanding; instead, I endured bullying and foul language. I sought help from teachers numerous times, hoping they would address the issue, but the situation didn't improve. The most they could do was issue warnings, and then the problem would be set aside.
As I entered middle school, I realized that I couldn't keep up with the pace of learning. The teachers' explanations became meaningless to me, and I felt powerless. Eventually, I was forced to drop out of school. My parents told me, "If you don't want to study, then go find a job." However, as you may know, finding employment is incredibly challenging for a deaf person. Despite my parents' efforts to secure me a job through relatives, I couldn't sustain those jobs because they required communication, which posed a significant challenge for me.
Fortunately, I found a job that didn't require communication and worked there for a few years. However, one day I realized that my life was a lie. I had never met any deaf friends like myself, and I couldn't find them online either. I grew tired of my current job, lacking a sense of purpose and the opportunity to explore the world outside. I had been confined to my own little circle for far too long. As a result, I made the decision to resign when I was only 18 years old.
Now, I'm actively searching for what truly interests me. The cost is substantial, and my savings are insufficient to afford rent. I have returned to my hometown to live with my parents. I've been trying to find part-time work, but my parents think I'm crazy. They understand how difficult it is for a deaf person to find employment. However, I haven't let their concerns deter me. I've attended interviews at dozens of restaurants and over twenty companies, but they all rejected deaf individuals because they believed the positions required communication. It was heartbreaking and anxiety-inducing. Eventually, I gave up on the job search.
I'm curious about the work that all of you do. I would like to know the challenges you face in your current occupations, whether you have the opportunity to work alongside deaf individuals, and if equal opportunities are provided for the deaf community. I hope you can share your experiences and perspectives with me.
Unfortunately, the doctors informed them that I wouldn't be able to recover my hearing and would have to rely on hearing aids to perceive sound. For our modest family, purchasing a pair of hearing aids was a tremendous burden. To achieve this goal, my parents had to work in distant places, pouring their sweat and hard work into it. Yet, the price of hearing aids at that time was exorbitant, and they were only available in Beijing. I missed the optimal period for auditory training.
In the area where I lived, there were no schools or communities for the deaf. Imagine a deaf child stepping into a school filled with hearing children—it was like a dolphin being placed in a zoo. However, I didn't receive kindness or understanding; instead, I endured bullying and foul language. I sought help from teachers numerous times, hoping they would address the issue, but the situation didn't improve. The most they could do was issue warnings, and then the problem would be set aside.
As I entered middle school, I realized that I couldn't keep up with the pace of learning. The teachers' explanations became meaningless to me, and I felt powerless. Eventually, I was forced to drop out of school. My parents told me, "If you don't want to study, then go find a job." However, as you may know, finding employment is incredibly challenging for a deaf person. Despite my parents' efforts to secure me a job through relatives, I couldn't sustain those jobs because they required communication, which posed a significant challenge for me.
Fortunately, I found a job that didn't require communication and worked there for a few years. However, one day I realized that my life was a lie. I had never met any deaf friends like myself, and I couldn't find them online either. I grew tired of my current job, lacking a sense of purpose and the opportunity to explore the world outside. I had been confined to my own little circle for far too long. As a result, I made the decision to resign when I was only 18 years old.
Now, I'm actively searching for what truly interests me. The cost is substantial, and my savings are insufficient to afford rent. I have returned to my hometown to live with my parents. I've been trying to find part-time work, but my parents think I'm crazy. They understand how difficult it is for a deaf person to find employment. However, I haven't let their concerns deter me. I've attended interviews at dozens of restaurants and over twenty companies, but they all rejected deaf individuals because they believed the positions required communication. It was heartbreaking and anxiety-inducing. Eventually, I gave up on the job search.
I'm curious about the work that all of you do. I would like to know the challenges you face in your current occupations, whether you have the opportunity to work alongside deaf individuals, and if equal opportunities are provided for the deaf community. I hope you can share your experiences and perspectives with me.
