My Story of Speaking
Growing up, my hearing impairment made my experience at school really tough. My classmates would often make fun of me because I couldn't always understand what they were saying, and because of my weird pronunciation.
Turning Point
It came from my church community. They were incredibly supportive and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.
I remember the first time I got on stage to host an event at the church. I was so nervous, but when I finished, the room was filled with applause. It wasn't just polite clapping; it felt genuine and warm. That moment was huge for me.
Growth
I started hosting minor events at school, and slowly worked my way up to hosting major ones. I relentlessly refine my speaking ability by attending multiple competitions, winning prizes such as NEA public speaking level 6-distinction.
Then, I began to share my own story. I began speaking at events for young people, talking about my experience with my hearing disability and how I was working to overcome the fear it created.
Ultimately, I went from being the kid who was afraid to speak to someone who could confidently stand on a stage and share my voice.