If you’ve followed me for a while, you probably know that last year one of my eardrums collapsed onto my last remaining middle ear bone, making me clinically deaf in my right year. Today, I went into the audiologists to try on a cochlear bone anchorage aid, and, after 8 years of having some sort of hearing loss, it was the closest I’ve ever been to an out of body experience. I could hear my doctor tap a soft folder. I could hear the soft whoosh of the door closing. It was echo-y, and not as in tune as the real deal, but it was a step forward in the process. Even those of you that have followed me diligently won’ t know that I have also been established as the secretary of the Disability and Inclusion Awareness Executive board for this next year, and while I have always been an advocate for those who are disabled to be included as they should be, it wasn’t as real for me before I became deaf in that ear. I guess what I’m trying to say is that while this is a medical blog, and I don’t have it nearly as bad as others do, this deafness and this eventual hearing aid are still a big part of me. I’m still learning to adapt, and once I get the aid, I’ll have to adapt to the way people may look at me. I may not post about it as much as I do my other, less trivial issues, and I want to make clear that it’s not because of a lack of a problem with it, but instead is because it’s not something that I have ever or ever want to believe can hinder me from being what I’m made to be, which is a physician. And I want to be certain that none of my followers ever believe that a physical (or mental!) disability can stop them with enough effort and support.
As always, love yourself, love others, and be kind.
