Meet Liv.
Hey there! I’m Liv, and I’m excited to share a piece of my journey with you today. I was born deaf, but that hasn’t stopped me from falling in love with sound, music, and movement. Right now, I’m on the list for this year’s American Idol and waiting to hear if I’ll make it to Hollywood! If I do, my mission is clear: to share the story of the hard-of-hearing and deaf community, while educating others about both hidden and visible disabilities.
Discovering My World Through Sound & Dance
It wasn’t until I was around 3 1/2 years old that my parents realized I was deaf. Once I got my hearing aids, the world opened up in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I couldn’t stop talking, and my love for music grew. I also danced ballet for many years, and I’d feel the music through the floor and vibrations—something I still do to this day! Music and movement have always been a huge part of me. While I didn’t grow up learning a lot of American Sign Language, I’m learning now, and I love it—it feels like a form of dance in itself.
The Misconceptions
That Follow Us
There are so many misconceptions about hearing loss, and I’ve heard them all. One common one is that deaf or hard-of-hearing people can’t talk. That’s simply not true! Some of us do speak, and others communicate using sign language or other forms. Everyone’s journey is different. Another big misconception is that hearing aids ‘fix’ everything—but they don’t. Hearing aids help, but they don’t make everything perfect. It takes effort, focus, and patience. Sometimes, I still feel music more than I hear it. But being hard-of-hearing hasn’t stopped me from loving and living through music—it’s only deepened my connection to it.
What’s Next for Me
As an adult, I’ve realized how much work we still need to do to change the way the world views the hard-of-hearing and deaf communities. If I make it to Hollywood on American Idol, I want to show that hearing loss doesn’t limit us. We’re strong, adaptable, and our experiences are as rich and valuable as anyone else’s. I also want to advocate for more awareness around both visible and invisible disabilities. We’ve got a long way to go, but I’m ready to be part of that change.
A Message to
My Younger Self
Dear Little Liv,
You may not understand it now, but everything that makes you feel different will become your greatest strength. The confusion you felt about why you couldn’t hear like others? That will shape you into someone who teaches the world a new way to listen.
You’ll hear people say things like, “You talk so well, you can’t be deaf,” or, “How can you love music if you can’t hear it?” Those comments will sting, but they’ll also ignite something inside you. You’ll realize your love for music, sound, and dance is yours—just because you experience it differently doesn’t make it any less beautiful.
Being hard-of-hearing won’t make you less; it will make you unique. You’ll learn to feel music through vibrations and dance in ways others may never understand. Discovering American Sign Language will feel like dancing with your hands, adding another layer to how you express yourself.
Yes, you’ll face challenges, but they’ll only make you stronger. One day, you’ll use your story to educate others and break misconceptions. You’ll show the world that hearing loss doesn’t limit you; it empowers you to embrace life in your own special way. Keep singing, dancing, and believing in yourself, Liv—you’ve got a bright future ahead.
With love,
Older Liv
Thank you for reading! Be sure to follow me @o_jade_music (and FTDG) on social media to keep up with my journey!
