Title: The Deaf Girl

Author: Abigail Heringer

Genre: Memoir

Publication Date: 2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hi! I’m Grace, the owner of The Deaf Book Club. I am deaf with Cochlear Implants and bilingual in ASL and English. I aim to read and review books featuring dDeaf/Hoh authors, characters, and stories. My goal is to provide easy access to quality literature for anyone exploring the dDeaf / Hard of Hearing community. You can follow along on Instagram, Facebook and GoodReads: @thedeafbookclub.

✨ Summary

In The Deaf Girl, Abigail Heringer, a Bachelor contestant, shares her story from childhood to her recent engagement to Noah Erb. Heringer wonderfully outlines her deafness and its impact on her life. She discusses her early life, teenage years, and journey on the Bachelor. The Deaf Girl is a sweet acceptance story of her journey to accepting her deafness and learning self-advocacy.

📖 What I Liked

Heringer shares an experience in the deaf world that is becoming more common: deaf individuals with Cochlear Implants (or other devices). These individuals may not use signed languages or interpreters but still deserve a space in the dDeaf community and the world. She beautifully highlights her individual experience as a deaf person in a relatable way. As another individual with a Cochlear Implant, I can relate to her sentiments of not wanting to be seen as the deaf girl and also to the journey of acceptance and self-advocacy.

🔍 What Could Be Improved

I have no critiques, but I would love an update in a few years!

🌟 Favorite Quotes

“Noiselessness is a natural state of being for me, and a peaceful one.” (p.39)

“People tend to get the idea that individuals with the same disability require the same accommodations. For those who are born able-bodied, it’s easy to assume that the same condition looks the same on every person.” (p. 71)

“A lot of people with disabilities or illnesses can probably relate to the battle between your condition and who you are, and how much of your condition is who you are.” (p.86)

💬 Final Thoughts

Anyone who is dDeaf/Hoh and struggles with identity or has struggled with identity should read this book. Individuals interested in learning more about a shared experience and perspective in the dDeaf/Hoh community should also read the book. Thank you, Abigail Heringer, for being a “trailblazer” in your own way, even though it had its challenges 🫶

Additional Notes (because it was that good)

If you are a dDeaf or Hard of Hearing individual and feel you do not have a space in the dDeaf/HoH community, you’re wrong - there is a space for you. You, your language preferences, and your devices (if you like them) are valued; keep looking, and don’t give up until you find your people.

If you are a member of the Deaf community and are privileged to have learned a signed language, do not belittle those who weren’t. I’ve met so many dDeaf/HoH individuals who feel like they can’t be a part of the community for not knowing sign language and using devices. No one should be made to feel bad because of their language preferences, accommodations, or devices. 🤟

Thank you for reading! Share your favorite part of The Deaf Girl on our socials! You can follow along on my Instagram, Facebook, and GoodReads: @thedeafbookclub.

Reviewing The Deaf Girl: ‘There Is Space For You’