Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

If you had to choose and chose deaf you would also need Melissa's determination and resilience. A lovely story and well told, about your good friend. Congratulations on the contest win too John, well deserved.
cheers.

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 16-Jul-2023

Thank you for your sweet review. I appreciate your kind comments. John

Comment from Douglas Goff

Excellent

I voted for you and knew you would win, John. You painted a very detailed succinct portrait of Melissa that really brought her to life for your readers. By the end of the story, I felt like I knew her as well. That, Sir, is a talent.

Congratulations.
D

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 16-Jul-2023

Thank you, Douglas. I appreciate your vote and, more importantly, your review and comments. I am grateful for such encouragement from such an accomplished and gifted writer. John

reply by Douglas Goff on 16-Jul-2023

Thanks, John. You are too kind. Keep on writing, my friend!

Comment from jenintorre

Exceptional

I would also certainly choose deaf over blind also but thankfully I don't have to. What an expiring story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I have just noticed that you won the competition. I am so pleased. Best wishes. Jen.

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Jul-2023

Thank you, Jen. I appreciate your review and especially your generous 6th star. John

Comment from Sanku

Excellent

Thank you very much for this inspirational true story> She is a proof that hmans have unimaginable capacity but most of us don't even realise this .very well written ...

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Jul-2023

You are absolutely right. Melissa is living proof that you can overcome impossible odds with faith and determination. Thank you for your review.

Comment from MissMerri

Excellent

I'm sorry I have no more sixes. This is certainly deserving of an exceptional rating. I was captivated from the very first paragraph. I think you started your story brilliantly and continued the narrative with great pacing and plenty of details to make the story come alive for the reader. You painted such a beautiful picture of this brave, intelligent woman who overcame what would have thrown most of us, and made it a minor, instead of major, "handicap." I loved the touches of humor sprinkled throughout as well. Altogether, a wonderful piece. I'm sure this will do well in the contest. MM

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Jul-2023

Thank you, MissMerri. I'm humbled and thankful to get such a sweet and encouraging review from such an accomplished and gifted writer.

reply by MissMerri on 16-Jul-2023

Well, that is an awfully nice thing to tell someone. Thank you John.

Comment from LisaMay

Excellent

This is a wonderful story of overcoming odds. You reveal Melissa's determined personality and the development of an enduring friendship in an inspirational engaging story told with warmth and gentle humour.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023

Thank you for your review. I appreciate your heartwarming comments.

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Excellent

Given the choice, I would agree with you. To not see would take away most everything, and yet, there would be blessings for the blind such as increased ability with the other senses.
This was a good story, and I chuckled with her "cut off" remark.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023

Thank you for your review. I would've had to put a warning on the writing if I revealed what the guy I cut off said to me.

Comment from tempeste

Excellent

Ciao mystery writer, you now have 17 votes .

I found Melissa's story inspiring.

I too would choose to be deaf rather than blind.

I would be scared to be perpetually in the dark... being deaf would be devastating but reading Melissa's journey made being deaf less frightening.

Melissa is very strong-willed and she didn't let her disability rule her life.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023

Thank you for your review and your vote. I'm sure Melissa will be surprised and humbled by all the interest and support her story has received from the wonderful writers on FanStory.

Comment from justafan

Exceptional

Melissa saw something in you she could relate to. Perhaps it was your smile :)
At first I chose this entry because of the name... Melissa... my name too! Then I related to your friend because my cousins daughter is also hearing impaired. Nothing has ever stopped Bridget from doing anything she had a mind to.
She's a redhead like me and married to a wonderful man who is also deaf and together they are raising 4 very active hearing children.
Kudos to you and your friend xx
Beautiful story. You have my vote
Always
Justafan
Missy

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023

Thank you, Missy. There must be something special about people named Melissa. You sound just like her! Because of your cousin's daughter, you can really relate and appreciate Melissa's story. I appreciate your sweet words...and your vote. I especially appreciate your generous sixth star.

Comment from Andrea Kepple

Excellent

Thank you for sharing the story about your friend Melissa. I like that you gave a concrete example of someone living with the challenge of being deaf and how her attitude towards her deafness influenced your answer to the question posed by this contest.

 Comment Written 13-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 14-Jul-2023

Thank you very much for your review. I appreciate you taking the time to read Melissa's story.