Member Spotlight: Jasmine Simmons Finds Gratitude Amidst Disability
Jasmine Simmons, a Black woman, sitting on a bench, looking to the side and holding a white cane. Courtesy of Jasmine Simmons.
By Dr. Arielle Dance, Writer at Diversability
“I am grateful for Usher syndrome. It has its challenges, however, I wouldn't change a thing.”
- Dr. Jasmine Simmons
Jasmine Simmons, Au.D. (she/her) is an audiologist living with Usher Syndrome. Dr. Simmons’ journey to diagnosis has been a rollercoaster. She was born with sensorineural hearing loss but was misdiagnosed at birth. As a toddler, she received a cochlear implant which allows her to hear. As a child, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa though Usher Syndrome was mentioned due to the vision and hearing loss. It was not for another 20 years that she would receive the official Usher Syndrome diagnosis through genetic testing. (Her type (1D) of Usher Syndrome is considered rare.) Around the same time, she was deemed legally blind.
Despite the rollercoaster of emotions that come with hearing and vision loss, Dr. Simmons feels grateful for Usher Syndrome. Having a clear diagnosis and acknowledgment of her disability has helped to establish her life’s path. “It has taught me patience, kindness, and much more. My disability has led me to meet some of my closest friends and opened doors for opportunities that I would've never had if I did not have Usher syndrome.”
Amidst this rollercoaster of emotions are feelings of fear of daily life as a disabled person. She fears not being able to see the faces of future children or move safely around the world. Before being diagnosed as legally blind, Dr. Simmons did not view herself as disabled. She acknowledged that she had hearing loss but being legally blind seemed to make the world crash around her. She was surrounded by negative thoughts and worry.
From these experiences of fear and gratitude, Dr. Simmons learned to take life day by day. There is power in knowing that she has no control over the future but she can control her thoughts and actions. She loves to discover what she is capable of knowing that no one else can control that. She describes herself as a go-getter who will grind hard until she achieves her goals– this is something she loves about herself.
As a Black queer disabled woman, Dr. Simmons loves spending time with her partner and family. She is also extremely proud of her next journey as a children’s book author. Her diagnosis has moved her to write a series of children’s books about living as a legally blind person. In addition, she is a big fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars football team. She finds the most joy on the beach enjoying the crash of the waves. “It makes me grateful that I can see the waves and hear the waves crashing. Seeing water makes my soul very happy.”
Acknowledgment: Thank you to Jasmine Simmons, a member of the Diversability Leadership Collective, for sharing your experiences with us.
About the Author:
Arielle Dance is the Writer at Diversability who identifies as a Black queer woman with disabilities. A Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine, Arielle is published on multiple online platforms and has a children’s book, Dearest One, which focuses on mindfulness and grief.