Silent Moments, My Story

Logging Off...By David Cluff

2012-01-24T07:13:00.001-06:00

Logging off...

As I mentioned inmy pervious entry, "Embrace It", I announced that I will be serving atwo year mission for my church in Salt Lake City, Utah. I will be leaving April11, 2012 and right now I am preparing to serve for two years.

You may be wonderingwhy I titled this entry "logging off"--- for the two years I won't haveaccess to update my blog, website, or facebook so I will be logging off for twoyears. I am going to miss it but serving a mission for my Heavenly Father is somethingI have been preparing for all my life and something I feel I need to do. I willbe able to email my family once a week and call home on Mother's Day and Christmasbut I can hand write letters whenever! I have set up another blog that will be activatedtowards the end of March where my beloved parents will share my journey onthere for me. Silent Moments, My Story has been an amazing journey for me personallyand I have learned so much from all of the people I came in contact with. Overthe next short while I have made a goal to spend more time with my family and preparemyself to leave in April. I will post my last goodbyes in March but for now Iam logging off.

Here is a short video that expresses my feelings from the heart.

-David B. Cluff

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T07:57:00.000-06:00

Embrace It By David Cluff

2011-12-23T22:56:00.000-06:00

Last week held some interesting experiences. I had to trynew things and I was not sure I would like them. But I learned that I will haveto embrace it and try the best I can.

Finding My Voice By David Cluff

2011-11-19T22:30:00.000-06:00

Everyone experiences a time in finding their voice. Eitheras a child or an adult, it is a joyous occasion when you feel like you canexpress yourself.

4 Years!

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

After a lot of work, waiting and waiting I finally decidedto have some of my Silent Moment, My Story blog entries printed. Along with theentries I put in photos of me in my suit for my parents to have, making it agift for them to have throughout the years.
Read more »

Frustrated by David Cluff

2011-10-23T10:55:00.000-05:00

We all have moments where we feel frustrated with something.I had many of those moments the past few weeks. It started with getting mywisdom teeth taken out. I felt fine the first day of recovery but then the nextfew days I didn't feel like myself. As much as I tried to be positive about it,I felt frustrated. What got me through?
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The Guy In The Suit...

2011-09-13T20:38:00.000-05:00

You might have seen new pictures of me in a suit and wondering what they are for.

I am preparing to serve a two year mission for my church and for my paperwork I needed a photo of me in my suit. After we got the standard head shot the photographer and I decided to do some fun ones for my family to have, while I am away. I had so much fun and the photographer did an amazing job! Take a look!
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David's Story is in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch today!

2011-09-01T08:36:00.001-05:00

David’s Story is in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch today!

http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_42630c08-1cbf-53f5-973c-31ef27d377a1.html

A Chance By David Cluff

2011-08-13T12:31:00.001-05:00

When I think about myparents and their decision to get my first Cochlear Implant, I think of whatthey went through to get me one. My parents saw that I wanted to hear again andthey did what they thought was best. Most people think that my parents weretaking my agency away to choose but rather they were giving me a chance to grow,to laugh and enjoy the same sounds they hear.

Disconnected By David Cluff

2011-08-08T06:15:00.003-05:00

We often times haveto disconnect from something to find balance in our lives. When I feel like I am getting stressed outabout a project or something I simply disconnect my implants and turn off thesounds of the world where I am able to think, pray and find confidence withinmyself again.
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"Challenges Can Be Blessings" By David Cluff

2011-06-28T16:38:00.000-05:00

After much thought and writing I decided to combine it all into a video. This video is very special to me as it tells "My Story" through pictures and music.

Finding Confidence Within Myself

2011-04-30T17:55:00.000-05:00

FINDING CONFIDENCE WITHIN MYSELF
BY DAVID CLUFF

A few months ago I went to go speak at the Central Institute for the Deaf (CID), for a parent’s workshop. I was asked to talk about different resources that the St. Louis Children’s Hospital offers, deafteens.org and other resources in the St. Louis area. I was a little worried and did not know what to expect. I was soon about to learn that I will grow stronger within myself through this experience.
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18 Years by David Cluff

2011-03-24T17:20:00.000-05:00

This week I kept thinking about the past 18 years of my life and all the ups and downs, joys and sadness and all the things in life. I would like to dedicate “18 Years” to my loving parents, who were always there when I looked back. My parents have gone through a lot for me and tried to make the best of everything.
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Becoming an Eagle

2011-02-28T12:50:00.000-06:00

I had my Eagle Court of Honor last night and it could not have gone any more perfect! I would not have it any other way. I was so amazed at how many came and all the help they offered to set up and take down. Here is a little shocker—I did not touch a camera that night! Thanks to Gary Davis for taking pictures and I am so excited to see them!
Read more »

David is now an Eagle Scout!

2011-01-13T21:54:00.000-06:00

via http://www.davidcluff.wordpress.com/

Thank you,

David

"Challenges" By David Cluff

2010-12-30T22:06:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I was at a Boy Scout (BSA) Council to turn in all my eagle papers to get my eagle award. (To see my eagle project visit: http://www.davidseagleproject.blogspot.com/) My father and I were talking to a man at the council and asked he me a question: “What is the hardest thing, being hearing impaired, in scouting?” I thought about it and the first thing that came to my mind was campouts. It was a challenge each month as I prepared to camp with my scout troop. I knew I would be fine but I always had thoughts about “what if.” What if my implant broke or what if I can’t charge my implants? By following the scout motto, “Be Prepared,” I knew just what to do.

Looking Back By David Cluff

2010-11-06T17:29:00.000-05:00

“Looking Back” By David Cluff

Today is the three year mark since I got my second cochlear implant surgery. I have been looking back on the past few years. November 6th 2007 was a life changing experience and one that I never dreamed of having.
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Finding Balance By David Cluff

2010-10-04T21:32:00.000-05:00

Finding Balance By David Cluff a deaf teen with cochlear implants.

For most people walking, running and standing come naturally. For some they have to be in wheelchairs or some assisted device.

Why I titled this “Finding Balance” is because 3 years ago I found out that I have no balance control in my inner ear. It all started when my dad told my Surgeon in 2007 that he thinks it is cool that I don’t get dizzy. Right after that my Surgeon sent me over to a different room to do some small 5 minute tests and the results led me to a major 4 hour test with a specialist. The results came and I had less than 2% of fluid left in my inner ear (the fluid that helps you keep balanced). This all happened a few weeks before I was going to get my 2nd implant. My doctor was worried that my body was holding on to the 2% and that if I got the 2nd implant it would take more fluid away.
Read more »

Best of Both Worlds

2010-09-09T19:18:00.000-05:00

Best of Both Worlds

By David Cluff

Lately I have been asked about “the best of both worlds”. Sometimes I feel like I am being pulled into one world and sometimes find it hard to balance it all. I live in the hearing world and in the deaf world.

2010 Award

2010-08-30T12:11:00.000-05:00

Silent Moments, My Story just won the 2010 Top 15 Cochlear Implant Blogs award presented by
Medical Assistant Schools!

Thanks everyone who voted for this blog! I had no idea this was going on!
-David

Questions...

2010-08-17T17:05:00.000-05:00

Some people will come up to me and ask me questions about my hearing or my story. The other day my friend asked me "What is it like when everything is silent?"
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Standing Strong for who I am...

2010-08-10T17:05:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we may feel like we can't go on but we must. We all can stand strong no matter what. Don't try to be another person...be who you are. I am a deaf teen with cochlear implants.

-David

Please Do Not Copy

Photo By David Cluff

From Silent Moments to Silent Day...

2010-07-10T17:54:00.000-05:00

Most of my posts are about Silent Moment but not this one. This post is about a Silent Day.

This past week I was in Texas for a Family Reunion and we went to a water park. I was a little worried because I knew I would have to take my Cochlear Implants off since we are surrounded by water. I don’t mind not hearing but when I am in big crowds I feel a little lost. I thought “I can’t do this.” But then I remembered a little saying on my desk “Do Hard Things and Go the Distance”.
Read more »

2010-06-04T20:12:00.000-05:00

Today I am going to share another Silent Moment called finding that one voice.
The other day I had a hearing test where I had to repeat words and sentences in a booth. The first session is done in quiet and the next is with background noise. I mainly want to write about the session with background noise. In these sessions you will hear a voice saying “Ready…The cat ran away.” or “Ready…The boy fell down.” “Ready” is like a warning telling me to be ready to hear what I have to repeat.
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The Drive Through...

2010-06-01T16:56:00.000-05:00

When you go to a fast food place and you take the drive through since you are in a rush. Well here is another Silent Moment.
Sometimes drive through are alright for me and other times they are useless.
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Ever Wonder?

2010-05-31T08:31:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what it would be like to be deaf?

I have profound hearing loss and when I take my Cochlear Implants off I step into a silent world. When I can't hear it is as if the world is spinning so fast but I am standing still and watching.
One of the funniest silent moments is when I see someone yelling but I can't hear them. It looks as if they are trying to streach their mouth or something.

If you have questions or want to learn more about deafness, hearing aids and/or cochlear implants feel free to comment and ask. :)

-David a deaf teen who shares his silent moments.

New Website!

2010-05-03T17:37:00.001-05:00

Here is the website that I made with the help of many! Go check it out at http://www.deafteens.org/.

Thank you,
David

I am Strong Enough to Stand By David Cluff

2010-04-04T10:46:00.000-05:00

I am deaf…Can’t hear

But I am strong enough to stand

I may be different but I know who I am

I can communicate in a thousand ways for you to hear my view

I got a Cochlear Implants to help me hear your voice

I know I am deaf

But I am strong enough to stand

Standing for who I know to be

No one can change me or tell me who I am to be

I am strong enough to stand…

To stand in a world that is falling down…

Trying to pull me away from who I am

But I am trying to be strong in who I am

I am deaf and I found a way to hear my mother’s voice calling my name

I hear my father’s voice asking for a tool while under the sink

I am strong enough to fight the insurance, even though they may not understand who I am

I am strong enough to stand

Standing for who I am

I know I am deaf and no one can change that

When I feel like crashing down I hold on to my Heavenly Father’s hand never letting go…

When I feel strong enough to stand I still look upward to Him for the light

I am strong enough to be who I am meant to be.

I am a deaf teen with Cochlear Implants

(Everyone is different on how they handle their deafness.)