About Me
Welcome. Where do I begin? First off, you know my name, Gregg, and by now, you probably figured out that I am Deaf/hard of hearing. So, let me go back to where it all began.. My mother and father had a date and they had… wait, that’s too far back. Let’s fast forward to when my parents found out I am hard of hearing. It’s pretty simple: when I was just 2 years old, my mother accidentally dropped a phone book, but I didn’t react. She made several sounds trying to get my attention, and I didn’t respond. You might wonder why my parents didn’t realize anything was wrong during those first two years. They believed I was communicating because I was talking, lip-reading, and seemed to understand them. Eventually, after several doctor visits, it was confirmed that I had what’s known as a severe profound hearing loss and would need to wear hearing aids in both ears. Naturally, as a curious 2-year-old, I would frequently take them out, toss them aside, or hide them. At that age, I hadn’t yet experienced the world of sounds, and I can only imagine how overwhelming it must have been to suddenly hear noise, music, and voices all around me.
When it comes to my education, my parents initially enrolled me in a deaf program that emphasized the use of sign language. However, they soon noticed that as a speaking child, I began relying more on my hands and spoke less frequently. During that time, I often made grunt noises and pointed to objects to express my needs. While my parents encouraged me to develop my verbal skills, they ultimately decided to transition me out of that program and into mainstream classes with hearing peers. Growing up in the 80s, they believed that I needed to navigate a hearing world; after all, they thought I wouldn’t be able to walk up to a McDonald’s and sign, “I want a hamburger.” Throughout my schooling, I participated in the IEP program, was integrated into regular classes, and successfully graduated with honors from high school.
I chose to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology – NTID because I wanted the support and resources necessary for success in college. While I knew that NTID focused on the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, I didn’t anticipate how profoundly this experience would shape my life. I met many individuals who, like me, communicated primarily through speech and didn’t know sign language, but I also encountered those who were fluent in sign. This was truly a culture shock for me, revealing a part of my identity that I had never explored before.
During my time there, I delved into the Deaf and hard-of-hearing aspects of my life. I learned about the culture, began signing, and fully immersed myself in the Deaf community. It felt natural, and I discovered that I truly belonged. It was in college that I met my wonderful wife, Pebble. She is also hard of hearing, and every day, we engage in both spoken conversations and signing with each other. Interestingly, Pebble tends to hear high-pitched sounds, such as smoke detectors and birds chirping, while I can catch the low sounds, including voices, bass tones, and engines.
Let me be clear: I had a wonderful upbringing. I was very close with my older brother, participated in sports, and had best friends and girlfriends. I was quite verbal, and I adapted well growing up. The large behind-the-ear hearing aids were a great help to me. Whenever I missed something, I simply asked others to repeat it. I enjoyed listening to music, though I often had difficulty understanding the lyrics. My best friend and I loved the song “Jump” by Kris Kross, but I didn’t know the words. He would listen to the song and transcribe the lyrics so I could learn them. Those were good memories.
When it comes to the real world, that’s where things get serious—interviews, jobs, and paying bills. I graduated with a degree in Graphic Design and did quite well. As an interviewee, I worked hard to refine my responses to sound polished and confident. How did I do this? By practicing with my family, especially my brother. Being a lawyer, he mastered the art of effective communication. I would rehearse my answers with him to demonstrate my ability to speak well and perform my job effectively. I have held positions as a Graphic Designer, Lead Designer, and even Creative Director. I can tell you this: If I had only communicated using sign language without developing my spoken skills, I would not have secured the jobs I’d held in the past. Employers would likely hire someone less qualified than me just because they could hear.
The most profound lesson in my life came when I became a father. I’d always dreamed of exposing my kids to the beauty of the world while shielding them from its harsh realities, just like any loving parent would. It’s important to me that they feel encouraged and inspired, knowing they can rely on me for guidance and positivity in their lives. Yet, challenges emerged—like being let go from jobs simply because I couldn’t hear well on the phone or struggling to keep up in group settings. Each of these experiences weighed heavily on my heart, and I feared my kids wouldn’t see me as the “super dad” I desperately wanted to be. There’s a saying: When life knocks you down, get back up and fight harder. That’s precisely what I did. I took the time to rebuild my resume and dive back into the world. Through it all, my kids witnessed my resilience and learned the importance of perseverance. I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support I receive from my wife and children. It’s a constant reminder of what truly matters in life. I feel truly blessed.
Lastly, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to my mother and my late father for everything. I’m sure you often questioned whether you made the right choices in raising me. I assure you, you did. I had the best upbringing, and everything I learned from you, I now pass on to my kids. Because of you, I am a great dad, a wonderful husband, and I still have a full head of hair.
Meet Bear! As soon as I open the sliding door, he jumps in, fully aware that we’re heading out for a road trip. Amazingly, Bear is approaching 14 years old, but you would never guess it, as he still behaves like a giant puppy. He truly completes the van life vibe. Here’s to many more journeys together, buddy!
