Hey y’all! I’m Taylor Renee
Welcome to my blog! Aaand She Did is all about my life journey with Jesus Christ, my experience with cochlear implant and my passions; Design, Beauty, and Food (mainly Tex-Mex!) My dream is to bring awareness about Cochlear implant and foster an attitude for people who don’t fit in to embrace their own unique selves.
I was born deaf. First one on both sides of my family. It was a big shock to everyone considering I was the first one on both sides of the family. Doctor gave recommendation to my parents about cochlear implant. It was still new for children back in 1990’s. Cochlear Implant is very different from hearing aids. Cochlear Implant is an implanted device that provide hearing and sounds while the hearing aids is just amplifying the sound you already have. Here’s the link for more info. Cochlear Implant was first invented in 1982 but was not approved for children until 1990. I received my first one on left side in 1997 at the age of 3 and a second one on the other side 15 years later!
My first experience of sound is not as beautiful as it is seem on popular videos of children’s first switch on. It was loud and scary static sound. A sound that I never thought it would exist. It forever changed my world. Cochlear Implant process takes time for the brain to adjust to new sounds. It does get better with time and with new improved devices but I’m not going to lie – It was hard long journey and still is! Imagine changing from signing to speech. Changing from no sound to multiple sounds at once. If it wasn’t for my parents’ strong faith and community’s help, I would not able to speak or hear well. I would not be 2009 State Champion in One Act play or Prose State Finalist. I would not be the first deaf student to graduate from OSU school of Architecture. Go Pokes!!
Growing up as an “outsider” took a toll on me mentally. I always felt like I’m not good enough or never going to fit in. Since cochlear implant was new at the time, the community never fully understand what I am going through. They either believe that I have perfect hearing or deaf — nothing in between. Every time the teacher give the oral quiz or a friend roll their eyes when they have to repeat their story, I kept all of the emotions in and try to accept the fact that I don’t belong. I remember that every single night I always looked up and wish upon a star that there is someone out there who truly understands exactly what I am going through.
I didn’t believe in God growing up even though I was raised by a strong Christian family and went to Catholic school. If God is so loving, then why did He created me different or let all of the struggles and loneliness into my life? My world got so dark after the loneliest day of my life. I cannot even hear or understand my own family at the dinner table. I thought I can get over it and move on but hearing them laughing and having a good time. It killed me… That was the moment I realized I can’t even fit in my own family. I used my tiny hope to make my last prayer, asking Him to give me a sign. Just anything to confirm He is real and knows exactly what I am going through. No answer. I made a desperate cry and beg Him to answer. Still no answer.. My world went dark with no hope. I was 11 years old.
Many months later on December 24, 2005, His light shined out of the darkness in my world with His sweet beautiful words. Jesus forever changed my life and He can change yours. He turned my last tiny fragile hope into an Everlasting life with Him.
After confirming my faith, my problems did not go away but knowing the fact that God is there for me every step of the way and made my life more peaceful. Whenever bad situation or hearing problems arise, I just bring it all to Him. In fact I never spoke up with anyone about my hearing problems until the last years of college! The more I spoke up, the more I realized how unaware they are of the issues people with cochlear implant or who is hard of hearing are going through. And that is when the idea of Aaand She Did blog lit up!
So what is the meaning behind And She Did? It comes from my favorite childhood book “The Little Red Hen.” My mom used to sign/read this book to me almost every single night. It’s about this red hen working in the wheat fields. Every time the hen asks her friends for help, they turned her down. It did not stop her. She would say “I’ll do it myself” and she did. Those three words became my mantra!!
I hope this blog and my journey can help you or inspire you to follow your dreams without any limits. You are not alone. You are unique and amazing just the way God created you! Always remember that. Keep on praying and believing! I would love to hear your story and pray over your journey that God has planned out for you. Please do not hesitate to message me!
♥ Taylor Renee
PS: Check out these videos! Introduction to And She Did and And She Did Blog Launch | Cochlear Implant Journey.
And She Did 