Meet Rayan.

Hi there! I’m Rayan, and I’m the proud owner of a pair of ears that came with a lifetime subscription to silence. My severe to profound hearing loss went undiagnosed until I was one year old. Fast forward a bit, and I'm now happily married to a wonderful husband and the proud mom of two incredible deaf daughters. Clearly, my deaf genes have some serious staying power. Sharing my deaf journey with my girls is like navigating a one-of-a-kind adventure, and let me tell you, it’s never boring!

My story begins in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where I was born to hearing parents. Growing up in a country with limited medical resources posed significant challenges, especially since newborn hearing screenings were not available. As a result, my deafness went undiagnosed during those crucial early months of my life. From the get-go, my mother noticed that something wasn’t quite right. I wasn’t responding to sounds like other babies; you could have set off fireworks next to me, and I'd still be snoozing. Trusting her instincts, she took her concerns to our local doctor. He brushed her off, saying I was just an exceptional sleeper.

Clearly, he mistook being “deaf” for “gifted napper”. But my mom wasn’t buying it. By the time I was eleven months old, she knew something was seriously wrong. I wasn’t responding to my name or even to loud noises.

Determined to find answers, my parents whisked me off to London. This journey was a pivotal moment in my life, and I finally got a hearing test. Surprise! Severe to profound hearing loss. The diagnosis hit my parents like a ton of bricks—imagine a mix of sorrow and relief wrapped up in a big "I told you so."

Following the diagnosis, I started wearing hearing aids which looked like a little walkman with earphones. Without a specialized deaf school in sight, I was thrown into the mainstream school deep end, where I struggled significantly.

My family, who had no idea about sign language, decided to focus on oral communication. My mother turned into my personal language tutor, dedicating countless hours to help me catch up at home. She basically became a superhero, minus the cape but with a lot more patience and flashcards.

A significant turning point came when I was 10 years old. My family moved to London permanently, seeking a better life and more opportunities. In London, I attended a mainstream school with a hearing unit, where I finally met other deaf individuals. This experience was transformative; for the first time, I didn’t feel isolated. Meeting others who shared similar experiences provided a sense of belonging and community that I had never known. Despite the early struggles, I excelled academically. I pursued studies in fashion and later in Montessori childcare. My success was a testament to the hard work and support of my family, especially my mother, who had always been my pillar of strength.

Mia

At 26, I got married and soon faced another significant challenge: my first child, Mia, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss. Drawing from my own experiences, my husband and I decided to pursue cochlear implants for both myself and my daughter. The journey with cochlear implants was challenging, requiring me to relearn how to listen and interpret sounds through the new technology. Gradually, the sounds became clearer, and I began to make sense of them. My daughter, too, began to thrive with her cochlear implants.

Gabriella

Our family’s journey didn’t stop there. My second child, Gabriella, was also born profoundly deaf and received cochlear implants. At this point, it was clear that my deaf genes were on a mission. Witnessing my children’s progress and recognizing the importance of early intervention and support, we became fierce advocates for deaf children. We even started an Instagram page to share our story and offer support to other parents with newly diagnosed deaf children. Think of it as a digital hug, providing valuable insights, resources, and a sense of community for families navigating similar challenges.

My journey has shaped me into the person I am today. Now, I am dedicated to making a difference in the lives of deaf children and their families. By sharing our story, we hope to inspire and support others, ensuring that no child or parent feels alone in their journey. Because, let’s face it, life is a lot easier with a supportive community and a good laugh along the way! Thank you for reading our story! If you would like to follow and support my content you can find me on Instagram @mommy_and_her_girlies that would be amazing 💖