Elephant Ears - A Story

My name is Kaitlyn McCormick, and I have been deaf since birth due to congenital profound hearing loss in both ears. I entered this world before the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, beginning my journey in a world of silence. Initially, I resented the quietness, but I have since learned to embrace it. Fluent in sign language, I spent my childhood moving to various homes in South Korea, Germany, and the United States as an Army military dependent.

During our time in the U.S. while growing up, our family would try to vacation in Michigan with other relatives. A recurring delight during these visits to state and county fairs was indulging in elephant ears – crispy, sugary fried dough shaped like the ears of an elephant. I found it somewhat ironic, given that I always felt self-conscious about the size of my hearing aids, which seemed to accentuate my ears. In an era when hearing aids were bulkier and more conspicuous, I stood out even more.

One day in high school, as the sole deaf student in a mainstream setting, I proudly sported a meticulously braided hairdo adorned with maroon and white ribbons, a nod to our school colors. However, my confidence was shattered when a peer pointed out how my hearing aids were prominently visible due to the braids. This incident made me acutely aware of my hearing loss and its visibility in social settings. Over time, I learned to embrace my identity and find humor in the uninformed remarks made by others about my condition. I humorously began referring to my hearing aids as "elephant ears," recognizing that despite their size, the essence of who I am – represented by the cinnamon sugar – transcends any challenges I may face.