Melissa's Dream
Deaf or Blind? Contest entry35 total reviews
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
What a very inspiring story, excellently written with not a single error (and I do try to hunt them down)! Your descriptive prose is so enjoyable to read and engaged me from the start. Your friend, Melissa, sounds an amazingly strong, admirable woman and your friendship, a deeply meaningful one on both sides. You obviously fulfil the brief perfectly. Good luck! Debbie
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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What a very inspiring story, excellently written with not a single error (and I do try to hunt them down)! Your descriptive prose is so enjoyable to read and engaged me from the start. Your friend, Melissa, sounds an amazingly strong, admirable woman and your friendship, a deeply meaningful one on both sides. You obviously fulfil the brief perfectly. Good luck! Debbie
Comment Written 13-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Thank you so much, Debbie. I appreciate your kind review and sweet words.
Comment from karenina
I've read every entry, as my son was born deaf in one ear and lost his hearing in the other in his twenties. Having "heard" with the use of a hearing aid and then being plunged into a world of total silence as he awaited the birth of his first child was devastating.
As a mom, my own heart ached for him as he held his lovely daughter and could not hear a coo, a whimper, a babble...a sigh.
(Oh God, I prayed, give him my hearing and let me bear this cross)
He did learn to manage for several years, but at great cost -- he was highly anxious and "on guard" as he couldn't hear horns or sirens...
This was pre-cell-phones, so there was not ability to "text" or speak on the phone.
The happy ending came when it was determined he qualified for a Cochlear Implant for his right ear.
It might not have worked ~ but what did he have to lose?
Post-surgery and implant beneath his skull of a computer chip, there wasn't a dry eye to be seen when the implant was "calibrated" and his "now toddler" daughter said "I love you, Daddy" ~~the first word he heard in years!
Melissa's story is an inspiration.
Like you, I would choose deafness.
Like you, I am blessed.
Karenina
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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I've read every entry, as my son was born deaf in one ear and lost his hearing in the other in his twenties. Having "heard" with the use of a hearing aid and then being plunged into a world of total silence as he awaited the birth of his first child was devastating.
As a mom, my own heart ached for him as he held his lovely daughter and could not hear a coo, a whimper, a babble...a sigh.
(Oh God, I prayed, give him my hearing and let me bear this cross)
He did learn to manage for several years, but at great cost -- he was highly anxious and "on guard" as he couldn't hear horns or sirens...
This was pre-cell-phones, so there was not ability to "text" or speak on the phone.
The happy ending came when it was determined he qualified for a Cochlear Implant for his right ear.
It might not have worked ~ but what did he have to lose?
Post-surgery and implant beneath his skull of a computer chip, there wasn't a dry eye to be seen when the implant was "calibrated" and his "now toddler" daughter said "I love you, Daddy" ~~the first word he heard in years!
Melissa's story is an inspiration.
Like you, I would choose deafness.
Like you, I am blessed.
Karenina
Comment Written 12-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2023
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Bless you for sharing the story of your son's victorious journey through his silent world, which ended with love in the words of his precious daughter. Your story is equally inspiring as Melissa's and brings tears to my eyes. Melissa also received a Cochlear implant and is blessed with the ability to hear her daughters and sweet granddaughter. Thank you so much, Karenina, for sharing.
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I know many in the deaf community who look upon those who choose cochlear implants as traitors to their own identity. Yet another thing to divide us...
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I totally agree.
Comment from GWHARGIS
I like Melissa's sense of humor. She seems very cheeky. This was an excellent story. You told it in an way that held my interest throughout. Good luck in the contest. Gretchen
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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I like Melissa's sense of humor. She seems very cheeky. This was an excellent story. You told it in an way that held my interest throughout. Good luck in the contest. Gretchen
Comment Written 07-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your review and good luck wish.
Comment from pome lover
That is a marvelous story of beating the odds with bravery and determination; and a great entry in the Deaf or Blind contest. Melissa does, indeed, seem to radiate cheerfulness. And how lovely that she now has a happy family with hearing progeny.
Also, it's wonderful that she has hearing implants which have helped her.
A rewarding story, well told!
Katharine
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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That is a marvelous story of beating the odds with bravery and determination; and a great entry in the Deaf or Blind contest. Melissa does, indeed, seem to radiate cheerfulness. And how lovely that she now has a happy family with hearing progeny.
Also, it's wonderful that she has hearing implants which have helped her.
A rewarding story, well told!
Katharine
Comment Written 07-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your review and kind words.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Terrific story of Melissa's, and your, persistence.
Lip reading, to me, has to be an art. There has to be so many possible sounds that could come from very, very similar movements. to be able to determine which to go with, at speed... wow!
Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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Terrific story of Melissa's, and your, persistence.
Lip reading, to me, has to be an art. There has to be so many possible sounds that could come from very, very similar movements. to be able to determine which to go with, at speed... wow!
Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 07-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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Very well put. I haven't thought of lip reading being art, but you are exactly right. I appreciate your review and insightful comments.
Comment from royowen
Oh yes, I have a friend who is profoundly death, and thanks to his parents, that wasn't good enough to be a liability and a victim of deafness, he achieved more than other folk, gained a degree, learned to read lips, and he traveled with us, he's a credit to himself, his parents, and a good friend, as is your very brave and admirable friend. Well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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Oh yes, I have a friend who is profoundly death, and thanks to his parents, that wasn't good enough to be a liability and a victim of deafness, he achieved more than other folk, gained a degree, learned to read lips, and he traveled with us, he's a credit to himself, his parents, and a good friend, as is your very brave and admirable friend. Well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 07-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your review. It's remarkable what you can do if you put your mind to it and have faith in God. I appreciate your comments.
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Well done
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
What an amazing story told with great finesse, Mystery
Author. You gave readers great details to allow them to
easily follow the story. I enjoyed reading about Melissa
and her courage and perseverance. I liked the part where
she told you what the motorist said after you cut him off. T
The picture was awesome.
Thanks for the update in your notes.
Best wishes in the contest, Jan
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2023
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What an amazing story told with great finesse, Mystery
Author. You gave readers great details to allow them to
easily follow the story. I enjoyed reading about Melissa
and her courage and perseverance. I liked the part where
she told you what the motorist said after you cut him off. T
The picture was awesome.
Thanks for the update in your notes.
Best wishes in the contest, Jan
Comment Written 06-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your review and best wishes.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Melissa sounds (and looks) like a wonderful person, as you have described. We miss so much about a person when we put their handicap first, but it sounds like you had kindred spirits and a true bonding experience.
Thank you for sharing Melissa with us. I like that you not only choose between deaf or blind, but give us this amazing person as to your reason why you chose the way you did.
Good luck in the contest.
Pam
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2023
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Melissa sounds (and looks) like a wonderful person, as you have described. We miss so much about a person when we put their handicap first, but it sounds like you had kindred spirits and a true bonding experience.
Thank you for sharing Melissa with us. I like that you not only choose between deaf or blind, but give us this amazing person as to your reason why you chose the way you did.
Good luck in the contest.
Pam
Comment Written 06-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2023
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Thank you very much for your kind words and good luck wish.
Comment from Wendy G
She sounds like a remarkable person, and a wonderful friend. Such courage and perseverance she has shown, and that has rewarded her richly. Best wishes for your entry in the contest.
Wendy
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2023
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She sounds like a remarkable person, and a wonderful friend. Such courage and perseverance she has shown, and that has rewarded her richly. Best wishes for your entry in the contest.
Wendy
Comment Written 06-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your review and best wishes.
Comment from Liz O'Neill
I have a friend who spent her childood attending a school for the deaf where she learned lip reading, no signing. She is quite incredible. She at the age of 76 got a cochlear implant and it has made a great difference. She can hear sounds and reads our lips.
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023
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I have a friend who spent her childood attending a school for the deaf where she learned lip reading, no signing. She is quite incredible. She at the age of 76 got a cochlear implant and it has made a great difference. She can hear sounds and reads our lips.
Comment Written 05-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023
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Melissa has a cochlear implant as well. It has significantly enhanced her ability to hear. Thank you for your review.
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I guess it seems too much of a miracle for skeptics. Isn't it wonderful?
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It truly is!
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***Smile***
