I've always wanted to write a book relating my experiences growing up as a deaf child in Chicago. Contrary to what people might think, it wasn't all about hearing aids and speech classes or frustrations.
Marlee MatlinRead
I'm the only one in my family who is deaf, and there are still conversations that go around me that I miss out on. And I ask what's going on, and I have to ask to be included. But I'm not going to be sad about it. I don't live in sad isolation. It's just a situation I'm used to.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses resilience in the face of isolation due to deafness and the importance of inclusion in social interactions.
Marlee Matlin's quote highlights her experience as the only deaf person in her family, emphasizing how she may miss certain conversations but chooses not to dwell in sadness or isolation. Instead, she has adapted to her situation and actively seeks to engage and be included, showcasing her resilience and positive attitude despite the challenges.
Themes
DeafnessInclusionResilienceCommunicationIsolation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire a group discussion on overcoming personal challenges and the importance of inclusion.
More from Marlee Matlin
All quotes →I'm a proud person who happens to be deaf. I don't want to change it. I don't want to wake up and suddenly say, 'Oh my God, I can hear.' That's not my dream. It's not my dream. I've been raised deaf. I'm used to the way I am. I don't want to change it. Why would I ever want to change? Because I'm used to this, I'm happy.
Marlee MatlinRead
It was ability that mattered, not disability, which is a word I'm not crazy about using.
Marlee MatlinRead
The only thing I can't do is hear. I can drive, I have a life with four kids, I work on TV, I do movies, so the deafness question, is it that they want to know because, what? Not sure.
Marlee MatlinRead
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and in spite of what most people might have expected from a young girl growing up deaf, life for me was like one long episode of The Brady Bunch. Despite whatever barriers were in my way, I imagined myself as Marcia Brady skating down the street saying “hi” to everyone, whether they knew me or not.
Marlee MatlinRead
When I was 11, I knew that I wanted to write a kid's book and tell the world what it was like being deaf.
Marlee MatlinRead
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