Ten years ago, I was asked to meet a family with a daughter who had been diagnosed with a profound bilateral hearing loss. This was a first for me. By no means did I know what the role of a deaf model meant. After all, I grew up in a rural town 20 miles north of Burlington, Vermont. At the time and throughout most of my elementary and high school education, I was the only deaf child in the state of Vermont who used Cued Speech.

I vividly remember being high strung over meeting the parents. It doesn’t help I have a shy personality when I first meet people. I found it mind boggling when asked about my deafness, my cochlear implant, and how I function on a daily basis. Rather than out of curiosity, those two adults wanted information from me as a deaf person. Thoughts swarmed through my mind as I wondered what I should say and what I shouldn’t say because I knew every answer I give them would most likely affect their future decisions for their deaf first born.

Fast-forward ten years later, I have reached the point in life where I am content with who I am as a deaf adult. Between then and now, I went through a period where I discovered my deaf identity and the pride I carry as a deaf person. Giving back to the Northern Vermont community I was born and raised in for 18 years is something I have yearned to do. I was granted the rare window of opportunity to meet with this family again along with another family who has a deaf son. I had never been more enthusiastic.

My former Teacher of the Deaf who also works with these students emailed a list of questions they wanted to ask me. During the long 16-hour car ride from Chicago to Vermont I discussed these questions with my boyfriend, Aaron, who is also an adult deaf cuer. I continuously learn something new about myself when under pressure to think about growing up as a deaf cuer. For instance, I realized how much time my transliterator dedicated to serving me along with the countless hours my parents put in advocating for my rights and needs.

We spent an hour listening to the kids interview us and we answered by cueing back in brief sentences since time was limited. After that session was finished, we sat down with the parents and let them ask us questions and we responded the best we could. There really isn’t one answer that will satisfy all parents because each individual has different experiences and needs.

The Cued Speech community is indeed a very small one. Each time I am able to share my story and offer some input, I leave knowing I helped at least one person. It is a gratifying feeling and allows me to continue my journey advocating Cued Speech with increased perseverance.

I look forward to the next ten years.