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JIA MIN CHUM
[ jamiechum@yahoo.com ]
I am Jia Min Chum, but many people know me as Jamie. I am born in Malaysia and received my primary and secondary education in public schools in my home country. I studied 2 years in Singapore for the Cambridge A Level before going to the University of Adelaide, Australia, to pursue my medical degree. I am currently a 6th Year student.
I had an episode of bilateral sudden hearing loss at 8 years old. Hearing aids were fitted when I was 9. Frequent fluctuations in hearing levels were very disruptive. It wasn't until many years later that I was diagnosed with large endolymphatic sacs and ducts syndrome (LEDS). Lip-reading has always been very helpful. I went to mainstream schools all the while, the only accommodation being seating arrangement - at the front rows of classes.
My hearing progressively deteriorated throughout the years, leading to heavier reliance on lip-reading. I can hardly sign. My knowledge of the AUSLAN hasn't gone beyond finger-spelling! The existence of AMPHL was unknown to me - just as the right to reasonable accommodation - until the month before I was due to start my medical course in 2002. It was through the AMPHL that I realised I could also use the FM system, and that amplified stethoscopes were available!
I was implanted in November 2005 and wear a hearing aid in the other ear. This makes verbal communication clearer and easier to understand, with slight decrease in the need for lip-reading. I would love to share my experience with others, because I too have benefited immensely from the encouragement brought upon by people who have trodden the roads before. There should be no room for doubts of our own dreams!
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