featureSTORY
m Saying ?’ the Cedar Valley
mended that I explore the opportunity of being implanted with the Hybrid Cochlear . The Hybrid Cochlear is a blended combination of a hearing aid and cochlear technology . It allows the acoustics of sound to be amplified and restores the access to the hearing loss . Choosing this surgery meant I would be completely deaf in my right ear . I have always dreamed of being able to hear the birds singing and the raindrops hitting the window . The surgery was a success . Wolfe Audiology in Cedar Falls is where I receive local support . Katie Mennenga is my hearing aid audiologist and Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Waterloo also provides support . On this journey of being a deaf mother of two hearing children , I met Keryth Gadson . Her daughter , Sa ’ Mari is also deaf . Together we have become a support system for each other . Often , we share experiences and vent about our challengess . We face many of the same challenges living in the Cedar Valley with cochlear implants .
Sa ’ Mari is learning American Sign Language in school . I teach ASL to the hearing youth at the YMCA to offer an opportunity to bridge the gap between the hearing and the deaf world .
Sa ’ Mari and I are the silent griots in our community . Our gift of silent communication is translated through our hands . We believe it is our duty to bridge the hearing and deaf world by serving as story-tellers speaking with our hands and our smiles . We also rely heavily on our faith and judgment to persevere . Sa ’ Mari and I plant seeds in the Cedar Valley every time we communicate with the hearing world .
We , both are committed to maintaining self-confidence , despite our disability . As a member of the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission , I am on a journey of giving back . “ Personally , my work will be only be complete when I can no longer communicate . Only then will I rest in peace .”
Excerpt from “ Iʼm Struggling ” Poem
“... From birth Iʼve been hearing impaired But I live without fear . When you are paranoid because of the streets , I claim the blood of Jesus And that never skips a beat … Iʼm struggling , can you hear what Iʼm saying Iʼm struggling , does it look like Iʼm playing Iʼm struggling and I know Iʼm too young Iʼm struggling … waiting on Jesus to come ... ”
Photos by Mi3rdEye Photography
memorize the verses and perform alongside of her to build confidence , self-esteem and a sense of pride . Quickly , we gained the title of “ The I ’ m Struggling Girls ” in our community because of our first performance poem , I ’ m Struggling . ( See attached breakout .)
In 2014 , my audiologist recom-
Kei-Che is a freelance writer and spoken word artist . She is employed by the Black Hawk YMCA as a Site Coordinator for Cedar Heights Elementary . She is a single , deaf mother with two hearing children . Her soulful , desire to inspire landed her a space in The Soultown . “ Everyone has a story to tell and a purpose for life , find your voice and embrace it . Embrace the power you bring .”
THESOULTOWN . COM THE SOULTOWN • CONNECTING OUR CULTURE TO OUR COMMUNITY featureSTORY 25