--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm constantly fighting to have my deaf…" description: "\"I'm constantly fighting to have my deaf identity represented but end up being made to feel like my voice isn't heard - I end up feeling torn. Torn betw..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f70/rose-ayling-ellis-9860_community_i-m-constantly-fighting-to-have-my-deaf_2207486.jpg" --- # I'm constantly fighting to have my deaf identity… ![“I'm constantly fighting to have my deaf identity represented but end up being made to feel like my voice isn't heard - I end up feeling torn. Torn between representing the deaf community and telling our story but wanting to have a career with good working relationships.” quote by Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f70/rose-ayling-ellis-9860_community_i-m-constantly-fighting-to-have-my-deaf_2207486.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f70/rose-ayling-ellis-9860_community_i-m-constantly-fighting-to-have-my-deaf_2207486.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f70/rose-ayling-ellis-9860_community_i-m-constantly-fighting-to-have-my-deaf_2207486.jpg) > “I'm constantly fighting to have my deaf identity represented but end up being made to feel like my voice isn't heard - I end up feeling torn. Torn between representing the deaf community and telling our story but wanting to have a career with good working relationships.” [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Deaf individuals struggle for representation while feeling unheard, creating internal conflict between advocacy and career. **In simple terms:** Advocacy can feel isolating. Key Takeaway Balance representation with personal goals. Themes identity advocacy career community Mood determined hopeful Type social personal inspirational When to use this quote - media industry - activism - public speaking - team collaboration Key Concepts representation voice intersectionality Questions to Reflect On - How can you protect your voice while advocating? - What support structures help you navigate this tension? A Different Perspective Pressure to speak for all can be overwhelming. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Deaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deaf/) [Deaf Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deaf-community-261358/) [Deaf Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deaf-identity-4875392/) [Feeling Torn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-torn-3283564/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Representing Deaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representing-deaf-4875391/) [Torn Representing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torn-representing-4875393/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-hope-i-will-do-the-deaf-community-proud-and-break-down-more-barriers/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I was thrown to suddenly find myself considered a deaf pioneer, the poster girl for the deaf community. It came with new pressures that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-was-thrown-to-suddenly-find-myself-considered-a-deaf-pioneer-the/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [“We all know the feeling of being torn away from those we love most because of sin and guilt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-c-cunningham/we-all-know-the-feeling-of-being-torn-away-from-those-we-love-most/) [Jim C. Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-c-cunningham/) > [“People with options feel torn. People with options feel pulled, tugged - people who can move in multiple directions. Whereas those without homes are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-russell/people-with-options-feel-torn-people-with-options-feel-pulled-tugged/) [Karen Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-russell/) > [A lot of what my parents went through, their history, lives in my body. I'm just a witness to what my father and mother's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/a-lot-of-what-my-parents-went-through-their-history-lives-in-my-body/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [ You \[the Gallaudet students\] have brought the deaf community together… You are my heroes. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-harkin/you-the-gallaudet-students-have-brought-the-deaf-community-together/) [Tom Harkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-harkin/) > [In the deaf community, in order to play a role of someone with a hearing loss... you have to have hearing loss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-leclerc/in-the-deaf-community-in-order-to-play-a-role-of-someone-with-a/) [Katie Leclerc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-leclerc/) > [In the deaf community, there are different types of people who have different philosophies. Some believe that they should only sign. Some believe they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/in-the-deaf-community-there-are-different-types-of-people-who-have/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I never really dreamed of becoming an actor because I've seen how hard it is within the deaf community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ridloff/i-never-really-dreamed-of-becoming-an-actor-because-i-ve-seen-how/) [Lauren Ridloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-ridloff/) > [Throughout my childhood, I had served as an interpreter for my family. When I left home, I also left the Deaf community. I'd had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambri-crews/throughout-my-childhood-i-had-served-as-an-interpreter-for-my-family/) [Kambri Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambri-crews/) > [I had so many deaf uncles that instilled in me this feeling of unconditional love, that's how I was brought up in that community.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/i-had-so-many-deaf-uncles-that-instilled-in-me-this-feeling-of/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [We all know in the deaf community, there are deaf actors, men and women who are highly, highly skilled, highly intuitive, highly intelligent, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/we-all-know-in-the-deaf-community-there-are-deaf-actors-men-and-women/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [In the deaf community, we give people name signs based on their quirks or characteristics. So it means you can't really give someone a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ridloff/in-the-deaf-community-we-give-people-name-signs-based-on-their-quirks/) [Lauren Ridloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-ridloff/) > [While taking sign language in high school, one of our assignments was to go out and participate in the deaf community, so I really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-lavine/while-taking-sign-language-in-high-school-one-of-our-assignments-was/) [Zach LaVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-lavine/) > [I know deaf people. I have discussed the issues with them I've also thought about them a lot so I have some insights that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-masur/i-know-deaf-people-i-have-discussed-the-issues-with-them-i-ve-also/) [Richard Masur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-masur/) ## More by Rose Ayling-Ellis > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I can hear someone singing, but I can't identify exact words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-can-hear-someone-singing-but-i-can-t-identify-exact-words/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I believe that diverse, rich, and fascinating deaf stories are ready to go mainstream and that we can do this, together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-believe-that-diverse-rich-and-fascinating-deaf-stories-are-ready-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [It is not nice to feel frustrated and unheard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/it-is-not-nice-to-feel-frustrated-and-unheard/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I am a big believer of getting yourself out of your comfort zone, because that's where you grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-am-a-big-believer-of-getting-yourself-out-of-your-comfort-zone/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [When I was little, I would draw hearing aids onto my Barbie dolls to make them look like me, so I am thrilled that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/when-i-was-little-i-would-draw-hearing-aids-onto-my-barbie-dolls-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [A lot of deaf people experience feeling left out. Feeling lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/a-lot-of-deaf-people-experience-feeling-left-out-feeling-lonely/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [Before I had an agent, I tried to apply for Spotlight membership and was rejected more than once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/before-i-had-an-agent-i-tried-to-apply-for-spotlight-membership-and/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I am disabled because I live and work in a world that disables me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-am-disabled-because-i-live-and-work-in-a-world-that-disables-me/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [It's been incredibly special to be 'EastEnders' first regular deaf actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/it-s-been-incredibly-special-to-be-eastenders-first-regular-deaf-actor/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I feel really glad that I knew who I was from a very early age. I never ever once thought: 'I wish I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-feel-really-glad-that-i-knew-who-i-was-from-a-very-early-age-i/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [DYT, under the direction of Paula Garfield, was my first experience of deaf performing arts and I loved my time there. It provides such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/dyt-under-the-direction-of-paula-garfield-was-my-first-experience-of/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I can dance, and I can count.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-can-dance-and-i-can-count/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I had to break through countless barriers to get to where I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-had-to-break-through-countless-barriers-to-get-to-where-i-am/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I love crime dramas. They're horrible but I find them fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/i-love-crime-dramas-they-re-horrible-but-i-find-them-fascinating/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) [Explore all 69 Rose Ayling-Ellis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) ## More Community quotes > [Race is the idea that a human being is more superior than another human being, race in society grants illusional rights to mistreat each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/race-is-the-idea-that-a-human-being-is-more-superior-than-another/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/) [Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. 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