Deaf Like Me

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes ableist language and references to anti-d/Deaf bias.

Although Lynn Spradley is not the narrator of this text, she is the central character, and the narrative is about her life. Lynn is born deaf after her mother contracts rubella early in her pregnancy. After Lynn’s birth, her parents do not realize for some time that Lynn is deaf. When Tom and Louise finally come to terms with the fact that Lynn is deaf, they are very concerned that she will not be perceived as “normal.” As they try to educate her using the oralist method, emphasizing the importance of lip reading and speech, Lynn struggles immensely. Her progress is extremely slow, and she does not learn enough to communicate effectively. However much her parents may want her to hear them, she cannot, which makes learning to speak almost impossible. Tom and Louise are told that Lynn must learn to speak, lest she be isolated from the rest of society. Lynn becomes frustrated when people cannot understand her despite her best efforts. It is only when Tom and Louise begin to teach Lynn ASL at the age of almost five that Lynn is finally able to express herself.