I have to concentrate more intently when people speak. I always have to position myself on their right side so that I can hear out of my left ear. I sometimes get a crick in...

I took some classes in sign language when I was in my early teens because I was told that I would be completely deaf very early. But I never really wanted to learn.

I’m the one by the backdoor – I am not the one in the middle of the party.

Nothing is going to improve my hearing. I’ve only got to prevent it from getting worse.

One of the reasons I wanted to teach deaf children was because it made me very sad that they spoke so clumsily and that they moved with less grace that I knew was possible of...

To this day I will not be called Steph.

What I mean to say is that I’m old enough now and confident enough now not to be frightened of any of the possibilities life might offer.

But as far as my work is concerned, I see no impediment, and various advantages, to being deaf.

But I am completely confused in a room full of people. I don’t hear a word anybody says. I’m not able to enjoy parties for that reason.

I can not remember even thinking that I was deaf when I was dancing.

I genuinely enjoy talking one-to-one. I have no shyness about that.