Skye White

Deaf People Can Be Strong

This is me at my gym. What I wanted to capture in this is deaf people can be strong, whether that is mentally, whether it's physically; we can still go out and achieve the things that we want to achieve.

The gym is somewhere I can go, where I can semi-switch off. If I had a long day at work, I can then go to the gym, and when I lift a heavier weight than normal, when I hit a PB it boosts you up. You're putting yourself first, and you're, taking care of yourself and your physical health.

For me, it's proving to myself that I can do this and I am strong, whether mentally or physically, because it's a mental game, just as well as a physical game. You do have to put hard work in it. It won't just come in a day, but if you work at it, then you know you will get there.

The Love of a Sister

My sister - she's been there for me through everything. I wanted her to be in the picture, because she obviously helps with my mental health a lot; I know I can go to her if I need anything. I rely a lot my sister and I appreciate her, and we have a very good bond. But ultimately, unfortunately, she will never fully understand me, just because she won't understand the full deaf side of it.

She can obviously empathise. I just wanted her to be in it, because she does help boost me up. She helps me to embrace my deafness, like when I was at school and I was struggling, she would always stick up for me, make sure the teachers, knew about my deafness, know how they can help me.

Drowning in Noise

This is probably one of the things I hate the most; it's just going out to a restaurant in general. I love going out, and I love, treating myself to a nice meal…but I just absolutely hate all the noise with that, because there's so many other people in the restaurant. Everyone's having their own conversation, they're loud, glasses are clinking, people's cutlery, there's music, and then there's waiters talking and people walking past. I can obviously hear, but it all just mushes into one.

And my family are talking, and they're catching up, and I'm sat there. I'm so lost in the conversation, I just end up sitting there and nodding because I can't even guess what we're talking about. For me, that's one of the biggest things I struggle with.