VISUAL OF MEMOIR by RICARDO NINO: 0, #0

By Ricardo Nino

In the inspiring tale of Ricardo's remarkable journey, bear witness to a life shaped by adversity, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of self-acceptance. Ricardo's path to self-discovery was uncertain as he dealt with her sexual orientation and sought to understand his true identity. But the shadows of Ricardo's past loomed large. At a tender age, he endured the unthinkable-a devastating betrayal by his older brother and cousin. The traumatic experience left him grappling with questions, confusion, and the weight of an unjust world. As Ricardo summoned the courage to embrace his true self and proudly declare his gay identity, he was met with a harsh reality. His own family, the ones meant to provide solace, turned their backs on him. Yet, undeterred by their rejection, Ricardo refused to let hatred define him. In the face of adversity, Ricardo's spirit soared. With unwavering determination, he rebuilt his life and found success against all odds. But this isn't just a story of personal triumph; it's a testament to the power of resilience and the strength of the human spirit. Ricardo's journey serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring readers to embrace their authentic selves and overcome the darkest of circumstances. Prepare to be moved, uplifted, and forever changed by Ricardo's incredible story of survival, self-discovery, and ultimate triumph.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ricardo Nino
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224210923

Ricardo Nino

Product Details ISBN-13:9781961804135 Publisher:Ricardo Nino Publication date:02/07/2024 Pages:108 Sales rank:198,838 Product dimensions:6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.22(d) About the Author Ricardo Nino is a community outreach specialist at a nonprofit organization for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. He works on social media, presentations, vlogs, and booth/exhibit events. He attended the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program in Ventura Unified School District before graduating from Rio Mesa High School with a diploma and Oxnard College with an Associate of Arts degree. He grew up in Oxnard, CA, for most of his life. Before working in nonprofit organizations for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, Ricardo was a direct support professional for many years. He sincerely thanks his thesis advisor and friends for their guidance and support throughout this study, especially for their confidence in him for his project book. In the future, Ricardo would like to provide a support community for the homeless, accessible to the deaf, hard of hearing, and LGBT youth communities, a drug recovery program, and an animal shelter. At last, his passion is to become a cake decorator and have as many dogs from animal shelters as his family.

Book preview

Acknowledgment

First, I must thank my parents for their support throughout my life. Thank you both for giving me the strength to reach for the stars and chase my dreams. My sister and little sister deserve my wholehearted thanks as well.

To all my friends, thank you for your understanding and encouragement in many months of crisis. Your friendship makes my life a wonderful experience. I cannot list all the names here, but you are always on my mind.

About the Author

Ricardo Nino is a community outreach specialist at a nonprofit organization for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. He works on social media, presentations, vlogs, and booth/exhibit events. He attended the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program in Ventura Unified School District before graduating from Rio Mesa High School with a diploma and Oxnard College with an Associate of Arts degree. He grew up in Oxnard, CA, for most of his life.

Before working in nonprofit organizations for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, Ricardo was a direct support professional for many years. He sincerely thanks his thesis advisor and friends for their guidance and support throughout this study, especially for their confidence in him for his project book. In the future, Ricardo would like to provide a support community for the homeless, accessible to the deaf, hard of hearing, and LGBT youth communities, a drug recovery program, and an animal shelter. At last, his passion is to become a cake decorator and have as many dogs from animal shelters as his family.

Preface

In the tapestry of my life, woven with the threads of silence, I often find myself reflecting on the challenges of being a deaf individual. Navigating a world that speaks in tones I cannot hear has been a journey riddled with communication barriers, echoing the struggle to accept myself as a deaf person.

In the symphony of my early years, silence enveloped me, and my world relied on the dance of my eyes, unacquainted with the melody of a developed voice language. Flashbacks to the tender age of three linger in my memory, a time when my vocal expressions knew no bounds. Little did I comprehend the hushed tones of those around me urging me to quiet down—a futile plea in a realm of soundless existence.

As I stumbled through my formative years, an oblivious protagonist in my own story, the disconnect between my voiceless shouts and the silent world persisted. My voice, unbridled and unrestrained, echoed in a realm of perpetual noiselessness.

This is the narrative of a soul discovering itself amidst the silence, a tale that unfolds with each nuanced movement of the lips. Join me as I unravel the layers of my existence, a symphony of silence punctuated by the vibrant cadence of a life lived beyond the audible realm.

In the depths of my journey, there came a moment when the weight of my difference bore down on me, leaving me with a profound sense of sadness and isolation. Questions echoed in my mind: Why am I unable to articulate myself like the hearing individuals around me? Determined to break free from the confines of silence, I persevered until landing my first job—an achievement that ignited a spark of belief in my capabilities and, by extension, in the potential of the entire deaf community.

Becoming a beacon of inspiration for others, I embarked on a path of growth, showcasing that deaf individuals possess the strength to overcome obstacles. I took pride in being a living testament to the resilience within our community, hoping to set an example that resonates with the mantra: we can do it, despite the absence of hearing.

As the chapters of my life unfolded through college, rehabilitation, and job training, I discovered that these experiences were the stepping stones leading me to my desired destination. They became the compass guiding me through the labyrinth of uncertainty, showing that with determination, we can navigate the challenges laid before us.

Yet, even as I embraced my identity in my 30s, the specter of communication barriers lingered, casting shadows of nervousness, confusion, and the absence of interpreters. Daily life demanded resilience, pushing me to confront the reality of living in a world that often fails to bridge the gap between the hearing and the deaf.

However, in the midst of this ongoing struggle, I found solace and pride in being a deaf individual. The yearning to fit into a hearing world gradually waned, replaced by a newfound acceptance that liberated me from the exhausting pursuit of conformity. No longer burdened by the desire to be something I'm not, I learned to revel in the unique rhythm of my deaf identity.

Living under my parents' roof, the quietude of my surroundings often collided with the inherent noisiness of deaf culture—a paradoxical dance that brought both tranquility and pressure. In these moments, where TV, music, and signing intertwined, I navigated the delicate balance between finding my voice and respecting the quietude sought by others. It's a nuanced existence, one where the echoes of the past blend with the resilience of the present, as I continue to shape my narrative amidst the intricate tapestry of a deaf life.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

About the Author

Preface

Chapter 2: My Childhood

Chapter 3: Dad and I

Chapter 4: Mom and I

Chapter 5: Sister and I

Chapter 6: Little Sister and I

Chapter 7: Ex and I

Chapter 8: Bro and I

Chapter 9: Dates and I

Chapter 10: I’m Ricardo, Who I Am Today

Poem

Chapter 1: Ricardo and Richa

This is the story of a man who has faced more than his fair share of challenges but has persevered through it all with courage, determination, and an unwavering spirit—who just so happens to be me. Born deaf in a Mexican family, I faced countless obstacles, both in terms of my disability and my sexual orientation, but through it all, I have learned to embrace who I am, to stand proud in the face of adversity, and to never give up on my dreams. This is my life, a journey marked by trials but also by triumphs and a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome even the greatest obstacles.

My legal name, the one I was given at birth, is Ricardo. This name signifies my journey in life, while my alter ego, my other character, is named Richa. Richa is a strong man who has overcome many trials and tribulations. He has finally figured out who he is.

I have been in the closet since I was eighteen years old, but before my sexual orientation was even a part of my journey or who I am, I dealt with severe sexual trauma at the hands of those closest to me—my brother and two of my cousins, when I was just a little boy. My earliest memories are from when I was three years old, and these traumatic memories of being touched without my consent go back to that tender age.

I’m 43 years old now, and I believe I am finally at peace. After years of struggling, I am now more settled. I know who I am and what I want. I am now capable of making choices I can own and that are my own. I have reached a better place now, mentally.

I had a very turbulent childhood, full of pain, trauma, and very unique struggles. Even now, I still get depressed, and I have done a lot to get to a stable place. I still need to take medications to regulate my feelings, but I believe I should share my story now in hopes of inspiring others and giving them hope while putting it out there.

My parents were both born in Mexico. They met and got married early in their relationship, but their dynamics were not the best. They were shy at first and struggled to communicate. My mother lived with an aunt instead of her mother because my grandmother had too many children, and it was difficult for her to take care of them all. She gave my mother to her sister to look after.

My father, on the other hand, was the only boy in a large family of mainly women. He lived with his parents at the start of their relationship.

My mom became pregnant with their first child soon after their marriage. My dad, at the time, had permission to live in America, and my mother was expecting her first son all the way in Mexico. Her passion to give her son a bright future drove her to use my aunt’s ID