Originally Posted by jillio

JennyB,

Your deafness is yours. You deal with it in the way that makes you most comfortable. Only you know the answers to that, and you should not conform to anyone else's expectations to make it easier for them. That is from both a parent of a deaf child and a counselor.

Secondly, you are doing fine. Judging from your posts, you are a very mature young lady; bright and articulate. You have given your situation a great deal of thought, and you have taken steps to do for yourself what you feel would be best for you. I want to commend you on your independence and efforts. Good for you!

Thirdly, your parents would benefit from professional counseling. (Perhaps, as counseling will only help those that are willing to receive help.) But their problem is not your problem and do not allow it to become so. I understand that you love them and want to make them happy, as well as have their approval, but you are not responsible for their difficuty in acceptance of your deafness, not thier denial. That is theirs to deal with. Love them as your parents, but do not allow their inability to accept either your deafness nor your decision to negatively impact your life. You are obviously well on your way to becoming a successful, well adjusted young adult. Keep moving forward.

If you have decided on the university that you will be attending, I would recommend meeting with disability services well before you start your first quarter or semester. Ask for everything that you think might be of assistance, including an interpreter. If you later decide that you don't need a service, it can be removed merely by signing a paper. It is much more difficult to get services added than removed.