Microtia and me

I was born without a left ear.

There's a piece of skin, where a lobe may have started to form. I was told I my have all the inside workings, yet no outside ear. Don't know if surgery was ever to be had to build an outside ear-unfortunately, my mom passed before anything was done, and I didn't really talk about it to my dad.

I just accepted it.

In school, always be seated up front and to the teacher's right. Some of my friends accuse me of having selective hearing. :) Sometimes that is true. However, in others, like in a crowd and/or you're on my left--I tell the people straight up, if I don't hear you. Please touch my arm, something, that I know you're there. Not really trying to ignore you.....well.....:)

OK--moms have e-mailed me, afraid their babies won't be normal if they don't have surgery. It really demends on how you define 'normal'. I explained to one mom, who's son wasn't quite a year old, that I can only speak for myself. I did all the 'normal' kid things. Took dance lessons, piano lessons, rode bikes, yakked phone with my best friends, had crushes on boys, learned to drive, drank with my friends, partied with my friends, and grew up and bought a house. Sure, I took, what seemed like daily hearing tests and worked with a speech pathologist all through grade and some middle school. I HATED that. Annoyed, especially because my speech was fine.

In my early 20's, I cut my hair the shortest it had ever been. My left ear was all exposed. Felt naked. Folks that grew up with me asked--"Did you get your ear cut off?" I had to laugh. "Nope, just born that way." They never knew. Sure, there were some stares. I finally got to the point of, "And?" I was happy since I had little to do with my hair!

Now, I get asked if I would consider surgery? At this point in my life--I kinda doubt it. Maybe if I was younger. I don't know. I've adapted to my situation. I know technology is improved--so I suggest to people they look at all the facts before opting for surgery. There are things I miss, yet I ask people to repeat. I could have two good ears and ask that!

A college student e-mailed and said girls were fascinated by him. He pierced his little ear. The girls always wanted to touch it. I told him if he didn't like it--tell them to stop. He admitted it wasn't that bad! :)

Am I normal? Depends on your definition of normal. I'm sure my house note people think I'm normal enough to pay them every month. My cats think I'm normal to feed and take care of them. I'm normal because I still turn up "Rock n Roll All Night, and Party Every Day" by KISS -did you know KISS member, Paul Stanley was also born with microtia?--I know for sure I'm normal because my God made me.