The word survivor does resonate with me because I did overcome everything I was subjected to. I do hold an affinity with that word survivor because it gives us the ability to reclaim our strength.

My grief has evolved over the years with lessened anger, but still a lot of disappointment. I still do wish the court system would improve. I also wish communities, not just the Deaf community, but all communities would provide better support for survivors and children of survivors. I still grieve my experience and I don’t think it will ever go away. But, at the same time, I have learned to manage my grief in my own way and not let it control my life, because life is too short.

Surviving is a challenge and healing is a winding path on a tall, treacherous mountain, never smooth and straight forward, it’s a rough trail that we have to follow. I hope for myself and others to keep striving until we reach that point at the top of the mountain. The top will look different for all of us, when we each find that moment of achieving our goals. It takes time for sure. I hope that the future will be better for all of us.

I want to share my story so that people know they are not alone, there are people like me out here with similar experiences. I hope that this will activate others to join the cause and show, not just the Deaf community but the global community that we are ready to make a change for the better.

I speak, as an POC, Deaf Mom.

My statements are heavily impacted by my cultures.

I am bi-cultural, well no I would say tri-cultural.

I hold all of those identities within me.