Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tiffany Storrs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on thus far in my life is writing my first book about my hearing loss journey and how I transformed my pain into my purpose. The title of my book is called Adaptability, and it will be available this summer!

My book uncovers how I lost my hearing suddenly after the birth of my first child. I had spent four years trying to conceive, and just months after my first was born, I learned that I was going deaf. The timing cut deep. There was so hearing loss history in my family. My brain felt like it had been thrown into a whirling tornado. None of this made sense. No way to have seen this coming. Life as I knew it, had changed overnight.

In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t know how much harder my life was about to get. I had gotten in my own way too many times before. In the process of adapting to my new reality, I learned a priceless survival skill of being comfortable with discomfort. Unexpected situations are part of life. Accepting and leaning into the obstacle or “wildcard” as I can them, will help lead you through with grace instead of anxiety and fear.

Losing my hearing was an excruciatingly hard pill to swallow. The news was saddening and uncomfortable but I knew I had no other choice than to accept my new reality and learn to adapt. In moments like these though, you just have to find a way to swallow the pill. You don’t ask “how”. You just swallow the pill and “do”.

I enrolled in a survival sign language program designed to help individuals communicate after sudden hearing loss and did the best I could to figure out how to raise a baby I couldn’t hear. The reaction of some friends and loved ones, unfortunately, only added salt to my wounds. Many struggled to believe that I was going deaf. Their comments infuriated me and simultaneously fueled me to share my struggles of having an invisible disability.

After an emotional plea from my family, I decided to undergo surgery to receive Cochlear implants. I knew that between sign language and a CI, we’d all be better able to communicate. I decided to “make friends” with this reality and try a permanent solution.

My mastery of ASL came at the beginning of the deaf inclusivity movement. I unexpectedly found myself in the spotlight when I was signed by 2 different talent agents who needed deaf/HoH actors on their rosters. An unexpected acting career was born.

My adaptability surprised me. I had overcome so much so quickly. Those extreme events taught me a great deal about myself. I was amazed at how I was able to keep swimming with the current, not against it. I ran into the burning building, not out of it. I never once knew how I would get through it. I just knew that I would.
Here’s my secret: adaptability is a verb!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Membership in the deaf and hearing communities affords me a unique position to be able to bridge gaps and dispel misconceptions about the deaf community. I’m a proud ASL instructor AND a spokesperson for Cochlear Americas. I’m a hybrid hearing-deaf person and I love being both. It’s my superpower!! Instead of wallowing in FOMO, you can find me in utter JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) proudly representing the underrepresented in the TV/film and commercial industries.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Deciding to surgically implant Cochlear implants was a brave decision and I pride myself that I went through with the surgery. In and out of alertness, I was startled when my blood pressure cuff kept tightening and the machines monitoring my vitals began sounding alarms.

Waking up in the recovery room however, I remember gripping tightly to the side rails of the hospital bed and telling my husband I felt like I was going to blackout.

Visions of my precious little family, my mother, and my grandparents danced through my mind as I drifted out of
The phrase “code blue” blared over the hospital intercom. I faded to black.

Life had taken another unexpected hard left.

I woke up the next day in the ICU.

A team of cardiologists explained that my heart rate had paused in recovery and that a fatal heart arrhythmia had been discovered. I would undergo surgery once more, this time for a dual-chamber pacemaker.

As I prayed, it dawned on me that my CI surgery had actually saved my life. A potentially fatal heart arrhythmia had been intercepted.

I spent that evening with my family and with God, preparing my mind, heart, and body for the upcoming surgery, truly not knowing what the next day would bring.

Thankfully, the pacemaker surgery was successful and I was recovering well. I spent just a few more nights in ICU and then was discharged with 2 new devices in my body.

Having been so close to death, I walked out of the hospital transformed forever- humbled, resurrected, and grateful.

I went into surgery as a mom getting CI so she could better hear her family. I walked out as a warrior, amazed by my strength and resilience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

100%! As a hybrid hearing-deaf person, I feel blessed, grateful, and thankful for the mountain God gave me to move. Choosing to live in two soundscapes is my legacy, and I will die raising awareness surrounding deaf inclusivity and speaking up for those without voices.

I have found my purpose. All of my life experiences have equipped me for this purpose and I love it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: tiffanystasnystorrs