Interviewing Mercy Botchway - Student & Founder of Youth Disability Empowerment (YDE) Organisation

It's a rainy day in late October 2022 and I begin our chat on Zoom by congratulating Mercy on being a finalist for Oticon’s Focus on People Awards and what a sense of achievement that must bring.

Mercy takes a pause, and starts by agreeing that it feels good to be recognised for her work and for founding the Youth Disability Empowerment Organisation, but then tells me her biggest personal achievement, she feels, is something else entirely. 

"Well, yes sure, but for me - I really think my biggest accomplishment so far has to be my online article in Forbes”

I nod, knowing where she’s coming from - being able to use this respected platform to express and be a voice for the young disability and hearing loss communities is something to be proud of. Together with her gift for words, she created a piece of content focused on empowering those with disabilities to mentor other people who deal with the same barriers.

"The article's goal was to inspire people with disabilities to mentor other students with disabilities, seeing as we barely have that representation. I actually started writing at a very young age.

I love my stories – I still have them just in case I want to continue any of them or if I want to escape.  The love of writing has just grown with me.  It has evolved in so many ways"

Her confident storytelling and empowering words offer confirmation and show that there are no limitations to what you can do with the right guidance, support and resources – regardless of hearing loss.

I started to think about how hearing loss can be isolating for some and what the benefits of having a mentor for guidance might look like.  Someone who understands the challenges that can provide a sense of connection and support.  

Mentors with hearing loss or disabilities can share their own strategies and coping mechanisms for dealing with challenges, which can be helpful for those just learning to navigate life and perhaps expectations unfairly set by society.

There’s no doubt that Mercy's words have inspired both the deaf and disabled communities and changed outsiders' attitudes toward such. For example, Mercy informed people of the danger of using “low/high functioning” labels. She also mentions that mentoring others with disabilities can help foster acceptance and highlight the challenges faced by those with disabilities in society.

We move on and go back in time to when Mercy’s hearing loss journey began and the potential her parents saw in her - deciding to leave their old life behind in Ghana and focus on her future.

“I went to an audiologist and got diagnosed when I was eight years old. Surprisingly, I was very relaxed about it because my knowledge was limited back then. My parents were originally the ones who were worried because they thought it would limit my educational opportunities.

There were strong feelings, seeing as we immigrated to America to better my education. They were afraid for my future and the negative social impact hearing loss might have”.

As the interview draws to a close, I ponder on family involvement in hearing healthcare for a moment and how hearing loss experiences are unique to the individual.   There are some that do benefit from getting the family involved in their hearing loss journey - to perhaps ease the burden of decision-making and organising follow-up appointments.  It’s all relative.

On the other hand, mentoring people with hearing loss can help improve the quality of life for both the mentor and mentee by reducing isolation, providing support and increasing access to resources.  Building resilience and helping to develop a voice to control how you want to hear, live and play out your future.

We sign off Zoom and I wish her luck in the awards, I feel I've gained some insight into how relevant the role of a mentor is for those with a disability or hearing loss.  To see someone who has successfully navigated the challenges of hearing loss can provide inspiration and hope for those just starting out on their journey.

Key interview takeaways

Hearing loss can be a difficult and isolating condition to deal with, especially as a young adult. However, there are steps you can take to manage your hearing loss and continue living a full and active life.

• Educate yourself about hearing loss and how it affects you. Understanding the mechanics of hearing loss and how it impacts your daily life can help you better manage your condition.
• Communicate with your friends and family. Let your loved ones know about your hearing loss and how they can best communicate with you. This may involve speaking clearly, facing you when they talk or using other forms of communication, such as writing or sign language.
• Consider using assistive devices. There are many devices available that can help you hear better, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices. These devices can amplify sounds or transmit them directly to your ear, making it easier to hear in a variety of situations.
• Seek out support from others who have hearing loss - perhaps tapping into a mentorship? Joining a support group or connecting with other teenagers who have hearing loss can be a great way to share experiences and find support. You may also find it helpful to talk to a counselor or therapist about your hearing loss and how it affects you.
• Stay involved in activities and hobbies. Don't let hearing loss hold you back from participating in the things you enjoy. With the right support and accommodations, you can continue to be active and engaged in sports, music, and other activities that interest you.
• Take care of your physical and mental health. It's important to take care of your overall health, as this can help you better manage your hearing loss. This may include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. It's also important to find ways to manage stress and maintain a positive outlook.

In conclusion

Managing hearing loss as a teenager (or beyond) can be challenging, but it's important to remember that you are not alone and that there are resources available to help you. By staying informed, communicating with others and seeking out support, you can lead a full and active life despite your hearing loss.

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