Having congenital hearing loss, growing up was a lonely experience. Although I have an older brother with the same impairment, it was never supported or mentioned in my family.

I felt my hearing loss was an embarrassment to my family, as well as my school friends. I hated being seated in the front of the class and had to teach myself to lip-read what the teachers were saying which was a struggle. 

Spelling tests were the worst, I often couldn’t hear, but I knew I wasn’t dumb! I knew nobody else was the same as me and consequently I felt very alone. I also suffered from constant tinnitus which is not surprising considering the amount of stress I grew up with.  

As an adult, with a husband and 2 children, I still struggled with not hearing well and I never talked about it. It was a tremendous strain on relationships and friendships. I also went to church regularly, and got constantly asked if I wanted a prayer to be ‘healed’ which didn’t happen.

One day I came across an advertisement for a local hearing organisation. I went along to their regular classes, and they helped me understand my disability and gradually I learnt to accept it. That was 10 years ago and since then I have been on an amazing journey of self-discovery. 

I have met so many wonderful people who have been inspirational to me. I now wear a Cochlear Implant. Without my implant I would not enjoy the life I have. From one step to the other, my journey as taken me all over Australia and it has been an amazing ride of seeing ‘life on the other side’ which I never knew existed. I am so glad to be involved with helping others who have a hearing-impairment or are Deaf. I also discovered this is my life calling and purpose.

I am currently very active, including serving on a board, as member of a consultative committee and also as President of an Advisory Association. I love my involvement in helping and mentoring others, along with lobbying for improved access and services to assist everyone in Australia who is hearing-impaired. I thank God for the life I have. I love my life!