Becoming My Own Advocate.

For a long time, I didn’t speak up.

I apologised when I didn’t hear something.

I nodded instead of asking questions.

I told myself, “Just get through it.”

I carried the weight of misunderstanding like it were my fault.

But somewhere along the way; after enough miscommunications, missed opportunities, and emotional crashes, I’ve realised: No one is coming to speak up for me.

I have to be the one.

To raise my hand.

To say, “Actually, I need you to face me when you speak.”

To tell the receptionist, “Please write that down for me.”

To ask, “Is there an interpreter available?”

Becoming my own advocate hasn’t been easy. There are days I still hesitate. Days I still feel that familiar shame creep in, like I’m asking for too much.

But now I remind myself: I’m not asking for extra. I’m asking for equality.

Advocating for myself means:

Repeating my needs, firmly and without apology.

Saying “no” to environments that don’t honour my access.

Choosing relationships and workplaces that see my worth and support my communication.

It also means teaching others, not through anger, but through clarity.

It means becoming the example I needed when I was younger, the person who didn’t shy away from who they were.

Advocacy isn’t loud or confrontational. Sometimes it’s as simple as standing your ground when the world expects you to fold.

To every Deaf or Hard of Hearing person who’s learning to find their voice, I see you. I’m with you. You’re not alone.

Because when we advocate for ourselves, we also open the door for others to do the same.

Deaf & Blonde - Becoming My Own Advocate.pdf

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