Silent Journey — E. Ayers

I've known a lot of women and dated plenty, but I never dreamed I'd wind up with someone who wasn't Deaf. I saw Savannah in the restaurant one night and she smiled. The day I caught up to her on campus, I was excited. Then, in less than a minute, my hopes crumbled. When I told her I was Deaf, her expression changed. I thought she'd walk away from me.

She didn't.

That's when I fell in love with her. Men don't like admitting to being struck by cupid's arrows. It doesn't sound macho, but I was hit hard. I knew I'd marry her.

Being a Deaf man in a hearing world and asking Savannah to be a permanent part of my life was more than a little intimidating. Convincing her to step into my world gave me one more problem to overcome as I pursued a career where most people considered hearing a prerequisite.

I'm no longer that little boy who wasn't invited to the birthday party because I was different. I'm Deaf. I'm proud of who I am. It's not an excuse. It's a reminder to be better, to try harder, and to find my own success. This is my story of perseverance and the pursuit of the near impossible.

Alex Van Doorn