At the age of three, I was discovered to be totally deaf. Having consulted many specialists, my parents made a(n) 1 that would forever change my future. 2 sending me to a special education school for the deaf, they chose an ordinary one for me. All of my schoolmates and teachers there would have 3 hearing.
I experienced great 4 throughout my primary school because, in addition to the problems of 5 with the other students, I also 6 with most of my school work. I seemed to spend every spare moment doing homework just so I could7.
8 for me, Mrs. Jordan, my 5th grade teacher, changed all of that with a simple three-word phrase.
One morning, she asked the class a question. I 9 her lips and immediately raised my hand. Here was an opportunity to impress the powerful teacher and even my classmates. Although a little afraid when I heard my named called, I felt unusually 10 because I was sure I had the right answer. I took a deep breath and 11 answered Mrs. Jordan's question.
Her response12 all of us. Mrs. Jordan enthusiastically13 her right foot on the floor and turned her right hand around in a full circle 14 it pointed directly at me. With shining eyes she cried, "THAT'S RIGHT, STEPHEN!"
For the first time in my young life, I was an instant star. My heart burst with 15. Smiling widely, I sat a little taller in my chair. My confidence 16 like never before. I decided right then and there that I would make a(n) 17 in this world. No matter how many 18 I might come across in life, I knew I could overcome them.
The very three-word phrase entirely 19my young life. From that day on, my grades and speech improved greatly, my 20 among my classmates increased, and my viewpoint on life did a complete turnabout.
