1   I was born with retinitis pigmentosa(色素性视网膜炎), a disease that causes both sight and hearing loss. I was born with a little bit of sight, but I gradually(逐渐) lost it. I wore glasses until I was 10, and I started wearing hearing aids (助听器) when I was 4. About two years ago, I lost my hearing completely.

2   During the time of my sudden hearing loss, I did feel somewhat frustrated(沮丧) and discouraged(灰心). I hated being around large crowds of people. I couldn’t hear my teachers and would miss things that were important. I felt so cut off and confused(困惑).

3   However, I learned sign language, and that has opened up a whole other world for me. I follow the signs by cupping my hands around the signer’s(手语者) hands.

4   Recently, I had surgery(手术) to receive a cochlear implant(人工耳蜗). A cochlear implant is an electronic(电子的) device that provides a sense of sound by stimulating(刺激) nerves(神经) inside the ear. It takes the brain some time to get used to a cochlear implant, but my hearing has already improved(改善).

5   Technology helps me in other ways too. I have a small computer called a Pac Mate. It works like a laptop (笔记本电脑), only it has a Braille(盲文) display(显示器) that shows everything a normal computer screen would.

Conquering(战胜) Challenges

6   The challenges I was given have affected my life in many ways. One of my biggest struggles is school. It can be a little rough(艰难) navigating(摸索行进) the halls with only a cane(手杖) to guide me. Before my surgery, I also had a really hard time communicating with the people around me.

7   But I don’t let my challenges get in the way. I love to go rock climbing and skiing. I get good grades. I play the guitar. Sometimes I have trouble hearing what notes I’m playing, but that doesn’t stop me. I also love listening to music with a device that connects my MP3 player to my cochlear implant. I can do almost anything, just in different ways.

8   One of the things I am most proud of is my participation (参与) in my school’s musicals(音乐剧). Although I can’t always hear the music, I stay in step by keeping one hand on the arm or knee of the person who is dancing beside me. Counting the steps in my head helps too.

My Awesome(可敬的) Family

9   My mom patiently(耐心地) helps me find the clothes I wear each day. My dad packs my lunch and makes sure I have everything I need for the day ahead.

10   My brother takes me to the gym(体育馆) to rock climb and helps with any problems that may come up. I wouldn’t know what to do without him. My aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents are all incredibly(令人难以置信地) supportive (支持) as well. And I don’t want to leave out my little dog, Lucky, who definitely(确定地) lives up to his reputation(名声) as “best friend.”

11   I am so lucky to have my awesome family. They have pushed me to try harder and take risks, and their support has helped me a great deal.

Believe You Can

12   I don’t think I have more courage than anyone else. We all have challenges in our lives that we have to face. I think the most important thing is to believe that you can do anything, and then carry out that belief in what you do.

13   You can’t go wrong by trying to live your life to the fullest. If you’re feeling discouraged, just keep trying, and   let the people around you guide and support you.

(578 words)

1.retinitis pigmentosa:

色素性视网膜炎

这是一种少见的遗传性眼病，表现为慢性、进行性视网膜变性，最终可导致失明。有些病例同时伴有听力减退。

2.During the time of my sudden hearing loss, I did feel somewhat frustrated and discouraged.

在我突然失聪之时，我确实感到有些沮丧灰心。

这里的did起强调作用，表示“确实、的确”。

3.A cochlear implant is an electronic device that provides a sense of sound by stimulating nerves inside the ear.

人工耳蜗是一种电子装置，它通过刺激耳内的神经来提供对声音的知觉。

目前人工耳蜗是治疗重度聋至全聋的常规方法。

4.Pac Mate:

这是美国“自由科技”公司推出的盲人专用掌上电脑。

5.It works like a laptop, only it has a Braille display that shows everything a normal computer screen would.

它的功能类似笔记本电脑，只不过它有一个盲文显示器，用盲文显示常规电脑屏幕上的一切。

would后面省略了动词show。