It’s alright being deaf
It’s quite fun to sign
Let’s you speak to deaf people
Everything is fine!

My mum is half deaf
My dad is half blind
Sometimes he can see
But it is all day long in my mind

One of my sisters is a little bit deaf
The other two are not the same
Sometimes I feel left out abandoned
It’s all turning out to be a big game

Some of my friends are hearing
It’s easy to speak to them
Speaking is easier than signing for me
But I need to say it again

By Sophie Dalglish

Thomas Tallis School, London

I was born completely different from my family,
The only one who’s deaf.
Sometimes it makes me feel strange:
“Why I am the only one who’s deaf”,

Now being with my friends makes me feel happy,
I am not the only one who’s deaf.
I have lots of hearing friends and deaf friend too.
It makes me no different what other people say.

Now it makes no different
Whether I’m deaf or hearing.
I am treated the same way the other people do.

By Mah-Noor Afzal
Darrick Wood School

Cheeky like a monkey
Happy when I go on holiday
A very good girl
Rabbit is my favourite
Love my bed
Often go to my friend house
Usually to Deaf club on Friday
Interest in computers
Sometime I’m sad
Eastenders is my favourite soap

By Charlotte O'Connor
Beaufort Community School

Feeling alone
Reacts badly to my annoying sister
Understanding me people struggle with
Swimming is my hobby
Thinking of a cochlear
Ringing in my ears
Aids play up
Trouble pronouncing words
Interested in skateboarding
Not hearing phone ring
Grrrr I’m Angry so RUN

By Charlie Walker
Beaufort Community School

Oi! Hearing people

Things you don't know

1. BSL uses facial expressions, not acting.

This is my meaning.

2. Important point – the pointy finger is important

Point
Point
This is my meaning.

3. Deaf people have sign names. Fingerspelling is soooo boring – use our sign names, make it interesting

Involve us
Persuade us to chat with you
And be happy
And party.

4. Hearing people use their hands to show numbers but they use the wrong signs

5. It’s hard for us to to read you, yeah, deaf are better than you hearing

But when you’re fast
Or too slow
At a party
Or when you’re teahcing
We can’t understand.
This makes us sad, it’s terrible

6. We need to use clear lip patterns

Did you know that the signs for wasp and bee are the same
So are calm and behaviour
Because, why and reason
Possible and can
Lip patterns make our meaning clear
My meaning can change with
Speed
And size
And repeating
But not too fast IF you’re fingerspelling for me

Do you get my meaning?

By Habib Oseni
Thomas Tallis School, London

It look like a lovely elephant,
hair gold and silver
Ears look like they like cool music
Feet look like cow boys
tail look like shampooed.

It got no hearing aid
it deaf
and can't hear.

It need special hearing aid
not a normal one
If Mum and dad call, can't hear.

All Africa need hearing aid for an elephant
Because it can't hear it Mum and Dad.
Make him better if Mum and Dad call
that's why elephant is worried, feels sad
and worried on his own,
look around
no Mum and Dad
worried and sad
but it must get new hearing aid.

You might hear elephant crying
it feel angry
"go away"
" I want Mummy".
Thats' why need to get a new hearing aid here.

You can't borrow our hearing aids
ask the man
'Can you make different hearing aids for animals?'
pay him £300
must never ever
have battery dead
never ever
much better
need much bigger like a killer whale.

The elephant's voice
similar killer whale
because it looks like
the same voice.
Elephants don't sign
not with trunks!

Elephant look like good people
Want to try signing
but trying to say something.
It only speak like noises
he wish he can sign it
but it's not coming true

"I want Mummy!"

By Alex Goacher
Thomas Tallis School, London

Only one who is deaf in my family
But more deaf in my left ear
There is nothing I can do
I became deaf when I was nearly two

I am 13 years old
I’ve had an operation, there was no complication from a cochlear implant
There is nothing I can do
It was for my left ear
When I got my cochlear implant, I could hear

I Have been going to lots of hospital appointment
Which is really annoying
There is nothing I can do
My mum and dad need to see the doctor, mne too

I can hear better with my cochlear implant
Much more better
There is nothing I can do
I have always cover my cochlear implant with my hair
I don’t care

There is nothing I can do!


By Kelsey Gordon
Darrick Wood School

People ask me how I feel being deaf.
Simple, I can’t hear,
No wait, its much more than that,

I feel so frustrated,
When the batteries run out,
But when I’ve put new ones in I’m happy
Without a doubt, undoubtedly
Should I put some new ones in tomorrow? Probably

People always talking all at the same time
Then I say “please one at a time”
But then they carry on,
Every time

When I’m in class
I feel I don’t belond
Because I’m the only one there
With a microphone

But luckily,
My friend’s understand
So I don’t have much hassle now
Because that I can’t stand!

By Jeje Gowman
Sedgehill School

If you meet a deaf student… DON’T be silly!!
If you meet a deaf student… DON’T speak fast English!!
If you meet a deaf student… DON’T swear!!
If you meet a deaf student… DON’T be boring!!
If you meet a deaf student… DO say hello!
If you meet a deaf student… DO be funny, have a laugh, make a joke!!
.
If you meet a deaf student… DO ask me to play football GOAL!!!
If you meet a deaf student… DO learn to sign.
If you meet a deaf student… LUCKY YOU!!

By Sam Goodbody
Thomas Tallis School, London

I was born in 1998
I could hear a little bit
When I was 2 or 3 years old
I was very ill
I became deaf … profoundly deaf
I had an operation
With my cochlear implant on
I can hear you … I’m happy
With my cochlear implant on
I can hear you
I can read your lips
With my cochlear implant off
I can’t hear
Fast talking goes over my head
I LOVE jokes! Here is the zoo joke…

By Jemma James
Thomas Tallis School, London

I hate being deaf.
I don’t feel happy.
I can’t hear my screaming,
This is the worst ever!

When I go to hospital.
I wear hearing aid.
I can hear better,
Which is ok!

I wear hearing radio.
I don’t like hanging wire.
Everybody watched me,
Which hurt!

When I go to school.
I go to lunch with my friends.
I feel quite happy,
Which is quite good!

When I go to lessons.
I like learning with my group.
I like learning with my support teacher,
This is the best ever!

By Stency Roy
Age – 12
The Ridgeway School, Wroughton

Being silent, without sound
Hearing nothing all around.
Batteries dead, “I HATE THIS!”
“They just don’t get it!”

I’m special, special
Spoilt little girl
My brother thinks I’m lucky
“He just doesn’t get it!”

Subtitles on the T.V.
Always there
I have to read the words
“They just don’t get it!”

I’m lucky, lucky
Free bus pass
I don’t need to pay
“They just don’t get it!”

Sometimes I get embarrassed.
Sometimes I need help.
Sometimes I don’t.
“They just don’t get it!”

I’m happy, happy
A the youth club
With other deaf children.
“They all get it!”

Calling me for tea,
Calling at the door,
Calling me behind my back
“I just don’t hear it!”

Why do I have to listen
When I can just switch off?
Who do you think you are?
“You just don’t get it!”

On the main road
Danger all around
Noisy cars but no sound
“They just don’t get it!”

I’m disappointed, disappointed
My friends can sing to music
But I can’t hear the words
“I just don’t get it!”

By Kirsty Jones

SATs were over
Waiting, celebrating
Leaving primary school
Sad but cool.

On the coach, noisy children
Chatting, laughing
Everyone excited
Eyes shining with delight.

Hurry, Hurry! Costume on
Lockers stuffed with clothes
Hearing aids off, silence on
Feeling nervous, here goes!

Cold water, hot tub
Spiral slides, legs need a rub
Mouths open wide, straight down the ride
Waterworld, Silent World.

Doughnut ride, what a treat
Made of plastic, never to eat
I can’t hear my screaming
Waterworld, Silent World.

Waving arms, Flapping hands
Friends drag me along
Music plays, unknown songs
Waterworld, Silent World.

Hurry, Hurry! Costume off
Lockers emptied of clothes.
Hearing aids on, silence off
Noisy world, here goes!

By Noshin Uddin

When I’m at school
I hold my hands like a boxer
And screw up my face.
I tap my hands on the table
‘Cos I am bored.
School sucks!!

When I’m with Roxy
I play with her
And give her a bone.
I tell her my feelings
‘Cos she makes me feel good.
ROXY’S COOL!!!

By James Andrews
Moor House School

In the morning all is quiet.
As quiet as a deserted island.
My world suddenly appears with my wonder of science.
My key to a new world.
Then violent ripples disturb my world suddenly enhances.
Which do I like best?
I cannot decide.

By Tara Forkin
Jack Hunt School

I try sign to you and I'm confident
I can't hear.
I must write with my hand.

People speak and I look math with speech.
I know what said.

People bully to me.
I not cry and I can't be bothered.
I try fight to person.
I think maybe teacher look at me.
When I fight with person.
I can't fight with person.
I don't want fight to person.
I think nice to person.

I am pleased because teacher nice to me.

By Naima Sage
Jack Hunt School

I am deaf because I was born with it.
I am deaf because... what do you think?
Figure it out yourself.

I don't like being deaf cos
Changing batteries
Go to hospital
Fiddle with the microphone on/off
STOP!!

Why don't I just not be deaf for one day?
I'd like that.
But it won't come true,
Why don't we have a deaf party and a deaf school just for deaf people around the world?
I like that, sounds great.

By Aaron Parkhill
Age - 12
Hearing Support Centre, Alun School, Mold

Every night I ask myself why am I deaf?
Is the answer far in Mars?
Or maybe it is all the way in the stars.
Did something go wrong out in space?
The answer might be in a different place.

Who knows where it is,
Who knows where it's gone.
But the thoughts in my head
Go on and on.

The answer might be far up in the sky,
Or maybe it's as close as my mum's apple pie.
I guess I will never know.

Why am I deaf?

By Archie Nancarrow
Age - 12
Hearing Support Centre, Alun School, Mold

Why half deaf?
What happened to me?
Did I do something at all?
Did I fall out of a tree?

What happened to me?
Did I just grow up like this?
Or was I a baby and became deaf?

I find it hard being half deaf
Is it just me or are there people watching me?

I see other people that are deaf.
I wonder what it is like for them to be deaf.

And I tell myself deaf does not bother me
Because I have a good life,
Family and friends to support me
And they are watching over me.

So half deaf does not bother me.
My name is Dylan Rixon.
I'm proud of my life.
So what, deal with it!

By Dylan Rixon
Age - 13
Hearing Support Centre, Alun School, Mold

It fills you with happiness and joy
You feel free as a white turtle dove
Take it further and get a baby boy
Love is the beginning of us all
You never will feel alone
Don’t be mean, or you’ll hit a brick wall
Caress them lovingly and don’t moan
Gold and diamond rings show your feelings
Your love and passion grows every day
You can’t stop thinking, you can’t stop daydreaming
Light shines down from heaven to show the way
When their physical form has gone
Love for another will still carry on

By Jake Deakin 20/3/08
Age – 13
Priory School, East Sussex

I’m sitting here on blackcap hill with a sore behind
I always get the amazing feeling every time I’m here
Over and over words are pulsing in my mind
The same events The same People Every single year

We don’t do much really, Just watch the sun set
A fiery ball that brings us together for a moment of goodness
The nights we have spent together I will never forget
The stars are coming out of a galaxy of blackness

Evert time I feel the least bit sad I turn and see faces smiling
The person that I look upon, I have known for an eternity
We always have fun no matter where we’re chatting
Each and every star has its own personality

Through events of Love, Kindness, Joy and Tears
Our bind of FriendShip will last Many Years…

By Jake Deakin 08/09/08
Age – 13
Priory School, East Sussex

Deep inside me, I knew there always was something missing,
A word, a sound, the beating of drums
I have ears, but they don’t hear anything
As often I sit and wonder what I will become

When I looked in the mirror,
I saw good things looking back
But with others, I felt so inferior
I could change my life, put it back on track

Hearing the world through these silent ears,
Unleashed a force little do understand
Obstacles, difficulties, there are many fears
The power to change things lays here in my hands

If there was nobody to help, or give us a goodnight kiss
Then it world be a very lonely world, if you had deafness.

By Jake Deakin 18/11/2008
Age – 13
Priory School, East Sussex

I am the beat footballer
I am the best signer
I am the best talker
I am the best drummer
I am the best swimmer
I am the best bowler
I am the best ice skater
I am the best computer fixer

“WOW I REALLY AM THE BEST!!!”

£££££££££$$$$$$$$

By Dayo Bamidele
Age – 13
Thomas Tallis School, London

I like to meet deaf people
I make them my new friend
Deaf people have good character
Deaf people make good friend

Deaf people love going to different place
Deaf people like go to South America
Deaf people like South America food
Deaf people like Italy food – pizza!

Deaf people like go on fast roller coaster … hand in the air!
Deaf people went see rap people
… they are cool!
Deaf people like watch TV
… a person sign on TV

I like being deaf!
I feel good!

By Unathi Ndlovu
Age – 12
Thomas Tallis School, London

The day I was born
I couldn’t hear at all
The doctor said I was deaf
My family was shock
Because my older brother is deaf too
My Mum was there for me
My Mum work hard to learn sign language
And I wish I could thank her.

Now I have two brother who is deaf too.
I like being deaf because I can sign instead of speaking.
And I can be cheeky because I can turn off my hearing aid if anyone keep talking to me.
I hate when people say “how can you be deaf?” and more
I just wish the world would understand me of being deaf
And I want hearing people to learn sign languages
We can be equal and we can understand you.

One more thing- Deaf is the best!!!!!

By Kayleigh Goacher
Thomas Tallis School, London

There is nothing wrong with me
I’m deaf!
I like being deaf
Because I can turn off my hearing aid and can’t hear you at all!
So if you are curious
Join a sign language class.
If you do, you will be the same as me!
We will be equal then.
One more thing…
You need to respect more to the deaf.

By Kayleigh Goacher
Thomas Tallis School, London

I’m as happy as a cat on a smooth black mat
I’m as happy as a man with a bowler hat
I’m as happy as a dog with a squeaky bone
I’m as happy as a child with an ice cream cone.

I’m as happy as a frog on a dirty log
I’m as happy as a duck in a squelchy bog
I’m as happy as a slug with a little bug
I’m as happy as a bear on a nice warm rug.

I’m as happy as a snail with a slimy tail
I’m as happy as a postman posting mail
I’m as happy as a fish in a shiny tank
I’m as happy as a thief in a big town bank.

Jack Bowness
Age - 12
Woodlands School
Jack is profoundly deaf and has a cochlear implant.

I'm as happy as a dog with a juicy bone
I'm as happy as a girl with a mobile phone
I'm as happy as a chimp in a chunky tree
I'm as happy as a whale spouting in the sea

I'm as happy as a camel with its two round humps
I'm as happy as a leopard when it runs and jumps
I'm as happy as a slug in its slimy skin
I'm as happy as a wasp in some ones bin

I'm as happy as a pig rolling in the mud
I'm as happy as a cow chewing on the cud
I'm as happy as a duck on a bread filled pond
I'm as happy as a witch with her magic wand

By Yasmin Dykes
Age - 13
Swanwick Hall School, Swanwick

When I found out I was deaf
I was playing football with my uncle
I fell and hit my head
And I stopped listening for a long time

They took me to the doctor
They found out I was deaf!

When I was eight
They told me I needed an operation.
I couldn’t hear in my left ear.
They told me I needed
An operation to save my right cochlear

They gave me an operation.
They bandaged my head.
I couldn’t hear a thing!

I prayed to God
“I need help to hear people again,
I can’t hear a thing
How can I hear my friends?
How can I hear again?”

Then the next day
I was in my Grandma’s house
I heard the phone ringing
I picked it up

carefully

I put it to my ear
I heard who was talking to me
It was my Father.

By Samuel Garcia
Thomas Tallis School, London

One day I had a problem in my head
A bad headache
I couldn’t hear things very well
Like you’d turn the TV down , really really low
REALLY LOW
Everyone was talking too low
I couldn’t hear my Mum unless she was very close.

One day she was in a far place
Kind of close
but not so close
Not face to face close

And I heard someone call me for the first time
I went to my Mum
I said “Did you call me Mum?”
“No” she said

So I went to where I was
And waited for ten seconds
And then I heard someone call me again.

I went to my Mum
I said “Did you call me Mum?”
“No” she said.

So I went to where I was
The third time that I heard that voice again
I remembered the story of the disciple Samuel
That he didn’t know God
but God called him four times
Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Samuel

Then he heard God!
I remembered
I realised it was God

It felt like a shock
In my heart.
When you are really excited
You feel like it is cold inside you
Like a shock, goosebumps all over.
I felt the gift from God!

God was telling me something for my life
Giving me happiness
I know one day he will cure me.

I am deaf
But the only person who can hear better is God
and I can always hear him better than anyone else.

By Samuel Garcia
Thomas Tallis School, London

I am writing a poem about me
But really all I want to do is sleep
And wrap up nice and warm inside my sheet
Later in the day I will feel the heat.

I’m always ready to have fun with you
And my mum will cook some lovely food
We will have fun until we see the moon
Because that means you’ll have to go home soon.

I’m looking forward to my sister’s babe
She will give birth in July and not May
And I’ll know that the baby want to play
Is it a niece of nephew? I must wait.

I always make my Mum a tea on time
Because she brought me up to be nice and kind.

By Kayleigh Goacher
Thomas Tallis School, London