By: Brittany Frederick

Brittany shares her "Quiet World." Photo by: Jack Bowen

I am grateful for my life because when I was born as a preemie, there were times that I turned blue and was considered dead, but because of reviving equipment, I was able to survive.  As a result of being born early (weighing 1lb. and 7 ounces), I was hooked to wires all over my body and stayed in the hospital for four extra months.  One result of being born too early resulted in permanent nerve damage in my ears.  At age five, I was diagnosed with hearing loss in both ears.  This began a journey of struggles which I am slowly overcoming and working on each day.  

Over the course of my life, I have had to have ear surgeries quite frequently.  Even with surgeries come pain and the daily medication.  The outlook may be complete hearing loss over time, but even though this is scary, I am determined to focus on the positive and not hold back.

School has been challenging over the years.  Maybe challenging because at first teachers did not understand how to teach me. After they received the knowledge, they were able to make sure I understood everything.  During my years of going to school, I wished that kids would take the time to get to know me because I am normal just like them…the only difference is I cannot hear.

I found that some kids are cruel and quick to judge. They would make fun of me, call me names, and even mock me sometimes. They should realize I am just like them, a typical teenager.  

My high school years have been the most challenging.  The classes make me think a lot, and sometimes I do not get to see my friends a lot.  My freshmen year was a struggling one.  I struggled because of the classes. I did not know where to go, and felt that some freshmen would snicker at me or laugh because I heard what they were saying wrong.  My immediate response was to tell them off, but I felt the need to let them know how it made me feel was more important when they did that stuff. Instead of screaming, I told them what my hearing condition was and that what they were doing was cruel.

Sophomore year I learned how to address the situation.I researched my hearing condition and educated them about it so they would understand. It made me feel good to know they cared enough to listen to what I had to say, and it showed me they are nice people.

Now, as a junior, I am having a good year because the classes are easy-going.  Even though, I’m only in two classes because of my ears, I’ve learned to focus in class through the pain, and I also interact with people. Both of the classes are laid back and I hope to succeed in the classes and even though life has been nerve wrecking. I will finish these classes and enjoy them.  

Now, as of today, when I walk to the lunchroom it’s very loud. People are meeting up with their friends, buying food, and saving seats. I go in, get my lunch and walk out. I do this almost everyday because my ears hurt because it’s loud and all of my friends have different lunches. During school when the passing bell rings, sometimes I am not at my locker because the noise in the hallways hurts my ears. I stay in the classroom when until after the bell rings. It gets boring after doing this everyday, but it’s what I have to do.

I don’t go out like normal eighteen year olds do. I stay home and watch television because when every loud noise hurts your ear, you don’t do much.  It’s hard to live life when it changed so fast, like a blink of the eye. I get angry when I see kids going to the movies or going skating because that used to be me and it’s heartbreaking because it has even gotten to the point where music is hurting my ears. One day I will be pain-free and when that day comes, my world will not be quiet, it will be loud.