Listen to Me

That is my name in sign language. My name is Rory, and I am deaf.

I take in every single detail of the world with my eyes, my hands, and my mind.

I keep a camera by my bedside and sometimes take it with me, just to take pictures of the world's beauty and try to imagine what it all would sound like. My pictures aren't great - they are just things I think are worth remembering often.

My hands are my most prized possessions. I'm scared that something will happen to them and I won't be able to sign or flail my arms crazily anymore or take pictures or, well, do anything for myself. I like being independent. When I was little, I burned my hands on a pot that sat on the table. My parents nearly had a heart attack, but I can't help it - even though my parents were worried freaks, I was a curious and adventurous kid, and I still am.