From Hearing Loss To Hope: Desiree Taylor On Faith, Advocacy, And Resilience

What if the most exhausting part of your faith wasn’t doubt, but the checklist you thought God required? We sit down with author and mentor Desiree Taylor to explore how progressive hearing loss, social hurdles, and a lifetime in church led her from rule-keeping to a relationship marked by grace, courage, and advocacy. Desiree opens up about growing up deaf, navigating school with hearing aids and later cochlear implants, and how lip-reading sharpened her attention to people’s hearts. She also shares the emotional weight of genetics, the ache of passing hearing loss to a child, and the honest “why me?” questions that became her doorway to deeper trust.

The conversation moves into the gap many feel between religion and a living encounter with God. Desiree describes years of shame and perfectionism, the pressure to perform spiritually, and the moment she finally brought her grief to God and discovered a gentler truth. From there, Scripture came alive, identity took root, and the lie of “I’m always failing” lost its power. We tie those insights to church life today, naming practical ways communities can include people with disabilities—clear communication, intentional eye contact, planned accessibility—and why culture change means more than a one-time fix.

Desiree’s new book, Created to Relate: Living Beyond Religion, blends memoir and reflection with questions that help readers examine what they believe about God, themselves, and others. She talks about the long writing journey, the choice to mentor young adults, and the vision behind her website that features disability stories and resources. Whether you’re navigating hearing loss, advocating for inclusion, or longing for faith that feels personal and free, you’ll find honest guidance and grounded hope. If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

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