The Journey
To My Success

Thekla Neokleous: "Success is constantly looking for that which will, with the use of imagination, warm your inner world"

Since I was born deprived of the sense of hearing I couldn’t participate in the joy and sorrow of the world around me. It was like being in a shop window, watching people move and talk.

Immersed in silence, I travelled with the eyes of my soul and coloured the whole world with a smile, listening with my heart.

As soon as my mother was informed by the doctors about the disability my twin brother and I had, she did everything to help us. She had a hard time, but she strived to do all she could. She was always by our side and ready to protect us in every way. During my school years, I read the lips of my classmates and persistently said to myself "I can do it". My concern was to be able to communicate with people even if I could not become something great in the future.

We went together to meet Ms Natassa Frederikou and talked to her about my disability. She listened carefully and when she told us that she would stand by us, she meant it wholeheartedly

After graduating from upper-secondary school, I received a university scholarship. I told my mum, but I worried that she might not allow it, out of fear and her need to protect me. I pointed out to her that Frederick University was close by to where she worked so she would almost have me by her side.

We went together to meet Mrs. Natassa Frederikou and talked to her about my disability. She listened to us carefully with an open heart and when she told us that she would stand by us, she meant it wholeheartedly.

It frustrates me that many people with hearing disabilities don’t realise how much potential they have and what they can achieve. They get disappointed when they don’t find understanding from the people around them and give up. But they can actually be successful!

I went through university literally hanging on every word said by my teachers and fellow students to understand what they were saying. I graduated with great success from the Graphic Arts department. I was stubborn in my studies and my mum, like all mums, was proud of me. As for Natassa, her attitude was amazing and I saw her boast too the day I was given my degree. No obstacle could stand in my way and I’ve already proven it.

It frustrates me that many people with hearing disabilities don’t realise how much potential they have and what they can achieve. They get frustrated when they don’t find understanding from the people around them and give up. But, they can actually be successful!

I have been working at RTD TALOS as the company's information systems manager. I’m also responsible for the electronic information and paging services while at the same time I cover the technical part in publicity and information campaigns in which the company participates. The difficulties I had to face in my life helped me to believe in myself. And my desire to learn strengthened in me the will I had to fight and overcome obstacles.

Success is intertwined with happiness. For me, it means constantly looking for what will, with the use of imagination, warm your inner world. Let the brush of the heart paint your soul with love. Even if you don’t have the sense of hearing…

I was the secretary of the Pancyprian Organization of the Deaf (PAOK) for two years and there I familiarised myself with the needs and the culture of people with hearing loss. Then I was for two years the vice president of the Cyprus Centre for Youth with Hearing Loss (KENAAK). There are young deaf and hard of hearing people who don’t know sign language. Although I have less time now, with two children at home, when the pandemic broke out, I could not stay uninvolved, knowing how important it is to inform all citizens in such a crisis.