I've always wanted to write a book relating my experiences growing up as a deaf child in Chicago. Contrary to what people might think, it wasn't all about hearing aids and speech classes or frustrations.

I find the mantle of, she works hard for the money, or, she's overcome so many obstacles a bit overused.

I have always resisted putting limitations on myself, both professionally and personally.

What parent has it easy? I just never make the difficulty of it an obstacle. I just do it.

During a visit to California, when a friend of my grandmother's told my parents that I must be deaf because I was not responding to sounds, my father was absolutely convinced that I was simply being stubborn.

I'm different, and my manner invites questions. I'm never afraid to answer.

I'm the only one in my family who is deaf, and there are still conversations that go around me that I miss out on. And I ask what's going on, and I have to ask to be included. But I'm not going to be sad about it. I don't live in sad isolation. It's just a situation I'm used to.