One of the Degree requirements at the Deaf School was a Deaf Culture Class. We had a Deaf teacher who taught this class, "Ms M" I'll call her. Ms. M was a bold, friendly woman who made each student a part of her "family". She insisted that I make an effort to keep up with the other signing students, but she would slow down while signing directly to me.
One of her lessons was on the poem "You have to be Deaf to Understand" by Willard J. Madsen. Our homework assignment was to create our own poem about our own experiences. I had forgotten about this assignment until the due date rolled around, ten minutes before class I scribbled a quick page and handed it in, thinking I'd be lucky just to pass the assignment. To my amazement Ms. M. was very impressed and gave me an A plus.
"Can I enter your poem in the Provincial Deaf Culture Club's Poetry Contest" she signed slowly to me one day. "What? This?" I held up my paper, in shock. "Yes, it's a very good poem!" she expresses. "Sure" I shrugged.
I was stunned to find out I made first place! I received a certificate and a gold medal with a raised, embossed "A" hand on it. I still can't believe it, I gently run my fingers over the medal, feeling each detail slowly and flipping it over and over while the reality sinks in.
It was then entered into the Canadian Cultural Society's Poetry Contest and made second place. I still can't believe something I wrote in ten minute's haste is winning these contests!
What a Scary Life I Had
I am Deaf and Blind.
I had a scary life.
At night I was scared.
Going to the Bathroom.
Because I could not see nor hear.
I used to scream for Mom or Dad to help me.
What a scary life I had.
At the Doc's I was scared.
Because no one told me
What it was like.
Even though Mom said
"It would be alright".
What a scary life I had.
At school, I was scared
I did not want the teacher to call on me
To answer the question.
What a scary life I had.
Now that I am older.
I understand what's going on.
I am not afraid anymore.
One of her lessons was on the poem "You have to be Deaf to Understand" by Willard J. Madsen. Our homework assignment was to create our own poem about our own experiences. I had forgotten about this assignment until the due date rolled around, ten minutes before class I scribbled a quick page and handed it in, thinking I'd be lucky just to pass the assignment. To my amazement Ms. M. was very impressed and gave me an A plus.
"Can I enter your poem in the Provincial Deaf Culture Club's Poetry Contest" she signed slowly to me one day. "What? This?" I held up my paper, in shock. "Yes, it's a very good poem!" she expresses. "Sure" I shrugged.
I was stunned to find out I made first place! I received a certificate and a gold medal with a raised, embossed "A" hand on it. I still can't believe it, I gently run my fingers over the medal, feeling each detail slowly and flipping it over and over while the reality sinks in.
It was then entered into the Canadian Cultural Society's Poetry Contest and made second place. I still can't believe something I wrote in ten minute's haste is winning these contests!
What a Scary Life I Had
I am Deaf and Blind.
I had a scary life.
At night I was scared.
Going to the Bathroom.
Because I could not see nor hear.
I used to scream for Mom or Dad to help me.
What a scary life I had.
At the Doc's I was scared.
Because no one told me
What it was like.
Even though Mom said
"It would be alright".
What a scary life I had.
At school, I was scared
I did not want the teacher to call on me
To answer the question.
What a scary life I had.
Now that I am older.
I understand what's going on.
I am not afraid anymore.
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