My name is Ashlei Powell and I have bilateral cochlear implants. I became deaf at eleven months from meningitis and received my first implant, on my second birthday, in 1990. I was the youngest recipient in the USA (just after FDA approved the cochlear implant for children) and the first youngest, in the world at the time, to receive a cochlear implant.
After receiving my first implant, I attended speech therapy for several years to learn how to listen and speak. Growing up, I had the opportunity to speak about my hearing experiences at auctions, in news interviews, and even with the first deaf Miss America, Heather Whitestone. After fifteen years of wearing just one cochlear implant on my right side, I felt like I was missing a puzzle piece. In 2005, I received my second implant and it was indeed, the missing puzzle piece for me.
I attended Pensacola Christian College in Florida for three years, before coming back home to marry my college sweetheart, Joe. We are proud parents of two dogs and a spunky and sweet two-year-old boy, Jackson.
My life has had a few challenges, but has been incredible and full of blessings. As being a Cochlear Implant recipient, I had to find ways to help me listen in life and in school that would work best for me. I made it work and accomplished a lot. I love being a bilateral recipient and I enjoy sharing my story to help others who are considering cochlear implants.
I have always wanted to be a nurse, but it wasn’t what the Lord wanted for me, so I tried a few classes in the medical field to see where the Lord wanted me to go. I’m now currently working as a phlebotomist at a hospital, running my own Deaf Wearables business, and also being a mommy and a wife.
In summer of 2017, I participated in a physically challenging obstacle course at Copper Mountain. I looked everywhere online for outer wear that showed I couldn’t hear…..something I could attach or could wear on my clothes, arm or headband that said the word, “deaf”. There was not one single thing out there and I thought it was so frustrating and not fair to the deaf community.
I recently started producing of all kinds of Deaf Wearables for all ages, that can be used in all kinds of activities such as skiing, marathons, hikes, walks, etc., even daily life. The reason why I have a line going through the ear is because it’s very simple and produces a quick understanding, like the universal symbol, to let people know the person can’t hear. I wanted to present this collection of wearables in a fun and inviting way. I know how hard it is to do everyday activities without people being aware of someone’s deafness. My products contain: reflective vests, shirts, neon headbands, key chains, bags, stickers, etc. that have the word, “deaf” on it. My goal is to produce deaf wearables that people would be excited and proud to let others know that they’re deaf–all while being fashionably current.
For more information on Deaf Wearables:
Jennifer Merriman
June 25, 2018 at 7:12 pmMy daughter went to the Sertoma Deaf and Hard of Hearing baseball camp this weekend in Lakewood, Colorado. We met Ashlei there and were impressed with her business, Deaf Wearables. We purchased t-shirts, key chains, head bands, decals and temporary tattoos from her. We were impressed with her array of products that help increase deaf awareness and promote self-advocacy. Her products can also be used for safety reasons to identify a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. I specifically purchased a few items for this reason so my daughter could wear them when she goes to a week-long whale camp in New Brunswick, Canada later this summer. My daughter was also excited to purchase decals she could put on her martial arts equipment to make others aware that she is hard-of-hearing at different martial arts tournaments she attends throughout the year. Thank you, Ashlei, for supporting the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, increasing deaf awareness and promoting self-advocacy! Thanks, Jennifer & Remley Merriman