Love Island's Tasha Ghouri has opened up about the struggles she faces on a daily basis about being deaf.
The 24-year-old dancer placed fourth in the reality television show with Le Page and has been open about her journey living with a cochlear implant, which enables her to hear after being born completely deaf. However, on Wednesday, May 3, the model and podcast host revealed some of her daily battles "that come with being deaf" and detailed her "reality".
In an Instagram post to her 1.5 million followers, Tasha - who if deaf in both ears but only has one cochlear implant - wrote alongside an image of her implant in her hand: "A post dedicated to you. I've had this in my drafts for a long time and I had filmed another episode for my podcast today and a lot of emotions came out. I know on this page its more to do with my fashion, work etc. I've been more real on my @superpowerswithtasha page. ⠀
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"I don't often talk about the struggles that come with being deaf and wearing a cochlear implant. I deal with social anxiety massively, a lot of that came from the abelist comments i received and still do to this day, common thoughts that run through my head is "what if I cant hear whoever is speaking to me" "what if I completely misunderstand" "what if my voice gets judged" "what if someone comes over and takes out my implant" and so many more. It's something I'm still coping with and its a journey for sure! Most of the time I’d rather just stay in my lil flat and not face it."
The Superpowers With Tasha host then detailed some of the specific hurdles in her day to day life: "I also deal with concentration fatigue - I have to lip read, focus in on conversations, by the end of the day i suffer with migraines and headaches, I'll be completely worn out and drained to the point i can't even speak. Hence why i nap a lot. napping helps me to recharge and get my energy back! ⠀
"I do have my down days - it’s normal to have these days! But at the same time im so grateful for my cochlear implant. its opened so many doors and opportunities for me. Just because I have a cochlear implant doesn’t mean I’m fixed. I have my struggles behind closed doors and so does everyone.⠀
"I just wanted to share more of my reality and everyone’s reality that has a cochlear implant / deafness / hearing loss!!! for those that are going through the same thing - you're not alone! Representation is important."
After sharing this empowering message, the reality star was flooded with messages of support from fellow love islanders and fans alike.
Her partner, Andrew, simply put a love heart, alongside Dami Hope and Danica Taylor who put three.
User @jaybunzy0 also commented on her post, thanking her for sharing. It said: "Thank you for sharing and I hope you know not everyone is here just for the fashion. I loved how real you were on Love Island and taking that big jump to let the world judge you was really inspirational that I had to follow. Just be yourself. The people who judge aren’t your people."
TikTok star, Joe Baggs, added: "So proud of you, one of the hardest working people I know and to be so authentic & kind whilst going through so much daily is the most admirable thing."
While user @c.maycock shared her own experience: "Thank you for sharing. My daughter has been fitted with hearing aids this week and seems quite sensitive about it. You were her favourite on Love Island last year, so I have reminded her about how inspiring you are to give her reassurance that she will be ok xx"
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