Never Broken

by Malia K. Johnson

Malia Johnson is adopted and, at six months of age, diagnosed as deaf. Her horrified mother desperately tries to raise her as hearing, which confuses young Malia. Her silent world is wrought with teasing from her peers and harsh discipline from her mother as she forces her to learn lip reading and speech six hours a day, seven days a week. Feeling isolated and unable to express herself, Malia plunges into a life of sex, drugs, alcohol, and anorexia. She represses her sexuality at risk of further alienation - and looks for love in the wrong places.

168 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2014

Reviews

[Sheila Chaiyamongkhoun]

Amazing story! I read it in three hours. I couldn't put the book down... I am an interpreter and my parents are Deaf. Some of her experiences my Dad endured with learning to speak and read lips. My mother had the opposite her parents and siblings are Deaf. I strongly suggest this book to read. Never give up.

[Maria S.]

"Never Broken" by Malia Johnson is a memoir, but it's not one of those boring stories people write when they're old and feel the need to leave a mark before the stone... no, no, this is a book full of life and an indomitable spirit, it's about hardship, but also about growth and emotional rebirth. From its paper core, you'll be able to extract eternal truths and wisdom, told in the voices of a child, a teenager, and a rebellious woman - all the same person, but somehow different.

Growing up deaf is not understandable to many of us – what it is like to lack a basic sense that we all rely on without thinking, what it is like to be labeled as “incomplete” in a world that expects you to be flawless and to fully fulfill a role that is not yours... Such a fate can break you, push you to bow down and hide, or make you better and inspire you to grow and overcome - what was given to you as a burden, turn it into a ladder.

I accidentally came across another book by the author, “Whispers Through The Trees”. Malia's voice found me by chance at a time when I needed to remind myself that I am not the only different person with problems in the world. The book aroused my curiosity and suddenly “Never Broken” was in my hands, and I was digging deeper, unable to stop reading... And now I have the full picture of the struggle and victory of a strong soul, which gave me hope, peace of mind and a different perspective on life in general as a simple but precious gift.

Malia K. Johnson is a healer by vocation, but this book is not just a prescription for improvement, it's a reminder of how to not let labels define us and that to be whole, we must be in balance within ourselves first. I recommend all of Malia's books, as she is an author who can teach you a lot. Don't miss the chance ❤️

[Liz Smith]

I was enthralled with Malia K. Johnson's raw, heartbreaking, yet very inspiring profound story. I am Deaf and was able to identified with many aspects of her story. She is such a very strong woman who strives to be her own person regardless what others think. I applaud her for writing about her life and sharing with readers!

[Maria Atkinson]

Great book! Congratulations on your success at the end after all those years you had fought and overcame to the person you have grown into.

[Julie]

Brava Malia! So proud of you! Fantastic read!