Sasha Thorpe: Finding the deaf world at 23

Since learning British Sign Language, I have felt more included in the deaf world, but this hasn’t always been the case.

To me, growing up, I felt as if I was a deaf girl in a hearing world… alone. I was the only deaf person in my family and in my school life. At times it was lonely because people dont really understand what it is like to be deaf, they can sympathise but cannot empathise.

I never really felt part of the hearing world as to hearing people, I was a deaf girl but I never really felt a part of the deaf world, as I was able to communicate with hearing people better than with deaf people.

Effectively I was stuck between two worlds…. Well up until recently when I enrolled at University and started learning BSL!

I feel so excited and ready to be apart of the deaf world and culture. I may starting late at the age of 23 years old, but it’s better to be late than never.

I can finally embrace my deaf identity and this has helped me to worm my way into the hearing world… brimming with confidence! I won’t take NO for an answer!

This is Sasha’s debut post for The Limping Chicken. Watch this space for more…

Sasha Thorpe is a deafie from a hearing family, discovering herself as deaf person. She is currently studying for qualifications in counselling studies and BSL. She wears hearing aids. You can find her blog at http://deaf-girl88.tumblr.com/ and follow her on Twitter as @queeniegalz