What Confidence Can Do
September 3, 2007 | by brett | Permalink
Stephen Hopson is one inspiring guy. We stayed with Stephen when we came to Akron on Sunday, and talked well past midnight about all he has accomplished since being born completely deaf. I’ve posted his story that appeared in the best selling book, Heartwarmers, for you to read because I believe it shows what a tiny dose of confidence can do to one person’s life. And if any of you would like to contact Stephen, he blogs at http://adversityuniversity.blogspot.com/
When I was three years old, my parents discovered I was totally deaf, a situation that forced them to make crucial decisions about my education. They decided to “mainstream” me, which meant that all of my peers and teachers would have normal hearing.
I was the only deaf child at Blue Creek Elementary School in the small, quiet town of Latham, New York. From almost my first day there, the other kids taunted me and called me names because of my hearing aid and the way I talked. I remember thinking, “What have I done wrong?”
My hearing aid consisted of a rectangular box that was harnessed to my shoulders and hung from my neck like an albatross. It created a big lump on my chest, with wires running from the box to my ears.
I experienced great anxiety throughout elementary school, because, not only did I struggle to fit in with the other students, I also grappled mightily with most of my schoolwork. I seemed to spend every spare moment doing homework just so I could keep up. The teachers didn’t know what to do with me.
Mrs. Jordan, my fifth grade teacher, changed all that with a simple three word phrase.
A large woman with salt-and-pepper hair and twinkling brown eyes, Mrs. Jordan had a voice that boomeranged off the walls of her tiny classroom. One morning she asked the class a question. I read her lips from my front-row seat and immediately raised my hand.
For once I knew the answer. I will never forget what happened next. Here response was explosive. It startled all of us. Mrs. Jordan enthusiastically slammed her right foot on the floor and whirled her right finger in a full circle until it pointed directly at me. With sparkling eyes and a wide smile she exclaimed, “That’s right Stephen!”
For the first time in my young life, I felt like an instant star. My heart burst with pride as an ear to ear grin filled my face. I sat a little taller in my chair and puffed out my chest. My confidence soared like never before.
From that day forward, my grades and speech improved dramatically. My popularity among my peers increased, and my outlook on life did a complete turnabout.
Stephen would eventually graduate from Marist college in New York and go on to work on Wall Street as a banker, and then a broker. Despite being deaf, he wound up winning numerous awards and vacations for his extraordinary performance on Wall Street. He would eventually leave the investment industry, citing a lack of fulfillment and an epiphany moment on an annual vacation to Florida. On that beach in Florida he decided he wanted to be a public speaker and author. Since that decision, Stephen has spoken in front of hundreds of audiences, and has even become the first deaf pilot in the world to earn an instrument rating - a license to fly as pilot in command through inclement weather.
All because a tiny fifth grader heard three words…”That’s right Stephen!”
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THERE ARE 5 RESPONSES TO THIS INTERVIEW
Stephen Hopson Says:
September 4th, 2007
Hello and good morning guys!
Thanks for such a wonderful visit to Akron. I truly, truly enjoyed meeting all of you. It was truly a priviledge to meet you and I wish you the very best on the rest of your trip. Look forward to having our paths cross again!
Stephen
Steve Says:
September 4th, 2007
That is an incredibly moving excerpt. Your interviews just keep getting better and better. There are so many kids in America that need to hear “that’s right Stephen.” You really found a jewel of a human being this time.
Kelly G Says:
September 4th, 2007
Wherever Mrs. Jordan is, I am sure she is screaming “THAT’S RIGHT STEPHEN” at the top of her lungs! Thank you for your story Stephen. The life you are living is undeniably filled with passion!
Phil Gerbyshak Says:
September 4th, 2007
What an amazing story of an amazing guy! How fortunate are you to spend some time with the amazing Stephen Hopson! The smiles in your photo are absolutely priceless!
Thanks for sharing a little more of Stephen, and yourselves, with all of us!
brett Says:
September 4th, 2007
Stephen is an absolutely amazing guy. We are very, very fortunate to spend time with a man like him, and to meet people across the country that are inspiring in their own right.
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