Motivational Monday: Katie Schock
For this week’s Motivational Monday I did a long-distance interview via Skype with an awesome girl named Katie Schock. Katie was born with microtia and hemifacial microsomia, which as she told me, “is a fancy way of saying that I was born without a left ear, leaving me 50 percent deaf, and also severe jaw problems.” Her humor and positive attitude were immediately apparent when we met up online for the interview.
Tell me a little bit about yourself! Where are you from? How old are you? All of that fun stuff
“I’m from Birmingham, Alabama. Not the deep South. I don’t live in a barn. I am a senior in high school right now, so I will graduate this year, and then I have to go on and figure out my life from there. I have always been interested in studying law, but we will see!”
What is the greatest adversity that you face?
“I would say that it’s not actually having the disability, but probably trying to fit in with others and feel ‘normal.’ But as far as my disability goes, I was born without a left ear, there’s not even a hole, so that results in 50 percent hearing loss. I was also born with hemifacial microsomia, I know that is a big mouthful, but it means my jaw doesn’t meet all the way. I have had six major reconstructive surgeries, where they broke the bones in my face to fix my jaw problems.”
How does this adversity impact you on a daily basis?
“On a daily basis, like at school, if there are a whole bunch of people around, I can’t always hear what people are saying to me, and then they get pissed off because I have to say ‘what?’ like five times. There is also the social aspect, because if I have my hair up, people always ask about my ear.”
How do you deal with those questions?
“If people are nice about it or I can tell they are just curious, I am nice back to them. But if they are rude, I usually reply with a rude answer.”
How do you overcome your adversity and live positively?
“You have to realize that even though some abilities are going to be taken away or disabled, that creates an opportunity for you to showcase other abilities that you might have. Also, just realizing that [adversity] can give you a different perspective on life. If you accept it, you can help others that might not be able to accept their own problems.”
Where do you find inspiration?
“Seeing other people who are happy, and seeing other people overcome their own problems. Also, my family and my friends. They are always there to support me and make sure that I don’t ever use my disability as a crutch.”
What makes you laugh?
“Myself. I make myself laugh a lot. Also, other people’s stupidity.”
Thanks Katie for being awesome and letting us interview you!
