Name: Amanda McDonough
Email: amandamcdonough@msn.com
Blog Title: Ready to be Written- How You Know You Are Ready to Write Your Book
Blog Content: I never thought of myself as a “writer.” Outside of the grade school and college required essays I didn’t write for fun. I grew up enjoying stories, and being an avid reader, but never dreamt I would ever pen my own. Then life happened. Everything I thought I knew about myself and the world changed.
I lost my hearing and was forced to grow up too fast. Instead of having the freedom and power to choose my own identity… “college graduate,” “actress,” “business woman,” the identity “disabled” was suddenly forced upon me. All my past successes were erased and strangers either pitied me or found me “inspirational” just for getting out of bed in the morning.
Things most people find mundane suddenly became barrier filled experiences for me like: getting a job, ordering a coffee, watching a movie, or simply waking up to my morning alarm. I went searching for a better way to live, an accessible way to live without being able to hear. It took me years, but I finally found people like me. I discovered that there are 50 million like me in the U.S. alone.
The more Hard of Hearing and d/Deaf people I talked to, the more I learned that my story wasn’t special. The more I learned that I wasn’t isolated in my daily struggles. The more resources and support I found to help me live my best life.
I realized that it shouldn’t be this hard to find acceptance and to own your identity. So, this time, I chose to identify as Deaf. I decided to take control of my own narrative, pick up a pen and share my story with the world. I decided that I was “Ready to be Heard.”
I discovered something in this world that most “average” people were completely oblivious to. I unearthed an entire language and culture I had no idea existed, right outside my front door. When you find something in your life that you are passionate about and that you know can improve the lives of others there is no longer a choice, instead there is a need to write it down. Are you ready?
Website: http://www.readytobeheard.com
Facebook Page: htp://www.facebook.com/readytobeheard
Twitter Account: http://www.twitter.com/readytobeheard