Terry Galloway is the author of Mean Little deaf Queer: A Memoir. In 1959, the year Galloway turned nine, the voices of everyone she loved began to disappear. No one yet knew that an experimental antibiotic given to her mother had wreaked havoc on her fetal nervous system, eventually causing her to go deaf. As a self-proclaimed "child freak," she acted out her fury with her boxy hearing aids and Coke-bottle glasses by faking her own drowning at a camp for crippled children. Ever since that first real-life performance, Galloway has used theater, whether onstage or off, to defy and transcend her reality. With disarming candor, she writes about her mental breakdowns, her queer identity, and living in a silent, quirky world populated by unforgettable characters. What could have been a bitter litany of complaint is instead an unexpectedly hilarious and affecting take on life.
A few months ago, Galloway underwent cochlear implant surgery to restore her hearing. Prior to the surgery, we spoke to her about her hopes and fears about cochlear implants. We'll be giving away copies of the book on Facebook and Twitter this week. Fan and Follow, and we'll choose the winner at random at the end of the week from all entries.
Terry has been a beacon (sorry) for me since the day we met at a faculty party. We were both seeking shelter from the party in an outdoor shed, she as a rest from babbling heads, I with terminal shyness. At that moment I engaged with the most brilliant mind I had ever encountered. I have been on the periphery of her life socially and professionally since 1990, and am immeasurably enriched.
Posted by: Jjooyyll | February 02, 2011 at 05:48 AM
The book is heart-openingly honest, and should be read by anyone who is interested in humanity. Wonderful interview with the author.
Posted by: Mettamomma | February 02, 2011 at 06:13 AM
Terry Galloway's stunning book contains the best explanation of what deafness is like that I have ever read. I am latently deafened myself and have given her book to family to help them understand my altered world. I have also received a cochlear implant and follow Terry's new journey to sound with great interest anticipating that she will delight audiences by writing about this experience as well. Terry's memoir is a book to be read by all, a testament to life itself in all of its gritty manifestations. Her life is fascinating and her wit and voice shine through on every page. This is a book to cherish and share.
Posted by: Ann D. Armstrong | February 02, 2011 at 07:24 AM
What a great excerpt! Now I have got to read the book. I want to share it with my 17 year old Deaf daughter and my mother who grew up hard of hearing and is now wrestling with her increasing deafness. Terry's reflections are honest, insightful, and humorous. I look forward to a complete read.
Posted by: Jory Agate | February 02, 2011 at 12:50 PM