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Ria Balwalli 🌱

@makeitariality

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23 year old deaf and hard of hearing human being

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Happy Deaf Awareness Month!

September is Deaf Awareness Month and if you didn't know, I am deaf and proud! Here is a picture of me when I was about one year old with hearing aids hooked in both of my ears.

Let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Ria and I'm 23 years old. I was born fully deaf in both of my ears and for the first few years of my life, I heard no sound even with hearing aids.

I then switched from wearing hearing aids to wearing Cochlear Implants. I had my first Cochlear Implant surgery at three years old and my second surgery at seven or eight years old.

After years and years of speech and language therapy, I have finally been able to associate sounds correctly and speak to my classmates, teachers, friends, family, and strangers. Even at the age of twenty-three, I am still learning new words every day and I'm not afraid to admit it.

I have been forever grateful to everyone who helped me in this journey and still to this day.

If you want to help me or any individual who is deaf and hard of hearing like me, here's what you can do to help us:

- Look at my face when you speak to me. That's because I lipread.

- Try to take me to a quieter place so I can hear you better. Noise makes it very hard for me to hear words.

- Repeat words, phrases, and sentences for me. I strongly appreciate it and I'm extra grateful whenever someone is willing to repeat for me in the moment. It is much better than feeling left out when I receive a "Never mind" or "I'll tell you later" after I ask you to repeat.

The biggest question I get asked all the time and I feel is the most important would be "What's the hardest part about being deaf?"

Sadly, the answer to that question as someone who is deaf and can hear with technology, it would be making friends.

Thank you to all the friends who are still staying with me to this day. You mean more than the world and the universe to me. I love you all.

Sincerely,
Ria

P.S. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. It means a lot to me! I'll post a part 2 soon, so stay tuned! If you have any questions regarding my deafness, please don't feel shy to ask away on here or in DMs! by @makeitariality

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18 days ago

Fun at the wedding reception of Neha and Rohan taken in Krishna Palace Hotel by @makeitariality

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2 years ago

...and that's a wrap!

These last 4 years of my high school have been wild. I'm so thankful for everyone who has helped me in this journey. 🎓 by @makeitariality

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