I know many of you are already aware of my struggles to make new friends. I want to thank all of you, from the bottom of my heart, for the tremendous support you’ve given on Facebook and here, especially after I posted my video. I want to give back and support others in return.

As you know, dealing with hearing loss in a hearing world isn’t always fun. The feeling of being left out is a painful experience that I’ve undergone more times than I care to remember. But, I’m starting to learn that it’s not just my hearing loss; shyness and social awkwardness can also play a role. In the upcoming months, I’m planning to reach out to people who are dealing with social anxiety as well. Really, I’ve found that reaching out to people is one of the best “treatments” I could ever get because it helps me realize that I’m not alone, and there are so many people out there who will accept me for who I am. I don’t have to be stuck between two worlds.

In the next Open Chat Night, tell us about the people that you would like to reach out to based on your struggles. It can be a friend, someone in your family, or anyone who is in the same situation as you—someone who helps you realize that you aren’t alone.