I grew up in a regular hearing environment. Nothing special was done for me at my schools. I attended regular public schools and was in regular classrooms with hearing students. I became an expert lipreader and my speech is perfect so I blended in easily.
At home my parents and two sisters (all who have perfect hearing) provided me with a happy home life. I still remember when I got my first closed captioning box, I was so excited to be able to read everything that was being said on the television and I didn't have to lipread the characters who were on the screen. My family had no problems with leaving the captions on for me. When I go to visit my Mom or my sisters houses they immediately turn on the captioning on their tvs for me.
My sisters were my protectors, they even would help me talk on the telephone to my school friends and even boyfriends when I got older. My sister would hold the ear part of the telephone to her ear and listen to the speaker, she would then mouth every single word out to me, and since I could lipread I would be able to keep up with the conversation without missing a beat. The speaker would never have a clue that someone was helping me. I fooled many people that way. 
Since I never interacted with any other deaf or hoh individuals I never learned sign language. I am jealous of all of you that do know it. I wish I had learned it, but even now I have no one to use it with. 
I have always known that I am different, but I have never let that get in my way.
I don't care if anyone has ever made fun of me or laughed at me behind my back, I know what I have acomplished in my life and that is all that really matters.
My husband fell in love with me while we were both in college, he knew from the start that I was hoh but he didn't even blink a eye about it. Even now he will make all the telephone calls and go to all the doctors appointments with me to make sure that I do not miss out on any important details. We just celebrated 14 years married in December. My three daughters who are all hearing have never expressed embarrasment or shame that their Mom can't hear perfect. It is just part of who we are as a family and I hope that my girls will forever carry with them that all people are worthy of respect and love, and that no matter what setbacks you may experience everyone is special in their own way.
