The moment a toddler realizes she's Deaf.

One warm evening, in New Delhi, India, at the balcony was a three year old toddler. She was just sitting outside, looking through the balcony railing, watching people walk by. She had a thought in her mind, that she was the only deaf person on Earth, as she has not met another deaf person. By then, she knew she was different from other people; she wore Hearing Aids, and others did not.

She did not think much about it, as a three year olds don't normally do. It was a sudden thought that appeared in her mind. What made that thought appear in that little brain of hers? That is unanswered till this day, she is now in her early 20’s. This young woman has not forgotten that moment and has no plans to, unless something happens of course, you know - Alzheimer's and what not.

That's the moment that she KNEW she was different, she felt alienated. She noticed and experienced the physical difference (Hearing Aids). Everyone spoke in Hindi, she could understand and speak a few words, but not as well as other toddlers would have spoken at that age. Her parents used gestures to help communicate, because she could not hear all the words. For example, when they would say "water" or "milk" - fist closed, thumb out (like you are giving a thumbs down), but in this case the thumbs down would be towards your mouth.

Her parents enrolled her into a deaf school in New Delhi, India, where all the teachers spoke Hindi - there was no Sign Language - it was not used at the time. There were other students but none that she remember engaging with. That's probably why she felt she was the only deaf child on Earth. She moved to Canada shortly after that "Deaf moment" where she also learn ASL (American Sign Language).

Fast forward to 2011, when she flew to India, she visited Chandigarh, just north of New Delhi - about 5-6 hours drive, depending on traffic.

With her family, she visited her Mother's old Art College where the mother attended years ago, to meet up with her Mother's college friend who is a teacher there. While visiting the college, she met a group of deaf women, DEAF women, she was surprised and happy! She was excited to see that there were deaf people attending college, and they signed in IPSL (Indo-Pakistani Sign Language). They talked quite a bit.

Now, jump to the year 2016, where she visited, Chandigarh, again. She visited the Arts of College, with her mother, sister, cousins, aunt and uncle - to meet an old friend of theirs as well as to see the art exhibition that was happening.

Guess what the deaf woman saw? Yes, you guessed close enough! A couple of deaf boys signing outside of where the exhibits were held. She shyly approached them and signed, "Hi". She was ecstatic inside! Deaf people! Just like me! In India! The boys introduced her to their deaf friends, and they were all signing happily - with some issues - but easily manageable. There was a deaf teacher, too who taught at the art college. He knew some ASL (ABC's and basic words). Now, IPSL and ASL have similar signs for certain words such as, "forgot", "same", "different" etc. She learned quite a few words in IPSL, hurray!

Not too far from her Grandmother's house, just a block east, was a watch shop owned by a deaf Indian couple - a store to repair watches with little toys, souvenirs, and such. When customers come in, they communicate by writing on the paper and/or gestures. The deaf girl was really proud to see a deaf couple that owned a shop that managed well. She met their oldest daughter who was in her first year of college and is hearing. The oldest daughter interpreted for her parents, the deaf girl and her Mother. It was such an interesting experience for all.

It's 2018 now, the deaf girl (Anya - me!) no longer feels lonely in this world for she has seen other deaf people just like her, who also felt they were the only deaf person on Earth.

She aspires to inspire people to share their "Deaf moment" stories of when they realized they were Deaf for the first time.

Deaf and hard of hearing people, YOU are not alone.

Yes, she will always feel that little inferior complexity inside her, but she will always break through it and come out stronger. It's those little moments of weakness which will at times emerge at her lowest points. It happens to everyone, that feeling of insecurity or inferiority. I am not the only one; other people have felt the same as me - not the Deaf part - but things that they are not confident about. At that point the weakness will try to take over, but try not to let it get to you. PUSH THROUGH IT!

Everyone, let's unite and not make anyone feel bad about themselves, because nobody is perfect. Pobody's Nerfect!

This post is very fitting - I wrote this without realizing what week this is - it was not planned.

Happy International DEAF Awareness week!